I'm a little disgruntled with being the #8 defenseman on the team, to say the least. I'm an ultra-competitive person, and I like to be the best at everything I do. When I'm not the best, it really bothers me, and I work hard to become the best if it really matters to me. I've become sort of obsessed with getting better lately. I've been on the ice and at the gym every day this week and last week. I don't like being looked at like I'm just a practice guy or feeling like people are looking at me differently because I'm just a practice guy, I don't like being just the water bottle guy or the stat guy, and I don't like being the guy left behind on road trips. I want to be the guy. I want to be the best defenseman on the team. And I think I can be. I have all the tools to get me there, plus the intangibles that not a lot of guys have. It's a good thing that I'm unhappy with my situation right now because that's what's driving me to get better. I don't want to get complacent or lazy or even let the fact that I'm not OK with not playing show. I'm just going to keep doing things the way I have been because I think, eventually, my hard work and positive attitude will pay off.
A lot of the books I've been reading have highlighted the importance of setting goals for yourself. I want to be playing by November. If I keep working as hard as I have been and pushing myself to get better every day, I don't think I'll have a problem with achieving that goal. I just have to stay positive and stay ahead on the mental battle.
Connor -
ReplyDeleteI wish I had something brilliant to tell you but I don't. Most of us have never had the chance to experience something like your experience now.
It must be awfully difficult to stay patient and wait. But I think you can be confident that if you stay patient and keep working hard, you will get what you want.
Be careful not to put too much pressure on yourself. Play like you have nothing to lose as that seems to work for you - just like Indiana. String a few weeks of practice like you had last week and don't worry - it'll happen.
We are so proud of you and the journey you're on. Love, Dad
thanks dad. it's hard to be positive all the time, but it really helps to have parents like you and mom behind me.
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