Are You an Athlete?
This is a question that I have struggled with answering honestly for a lot of my life.
For a long time, I thought I was an athlete simply because I had the physical ability to play sports. I grew up playing basketball, softball, volleyball, and golf. I only played basketball until my sophomore year of high school but continued playing volleyball and of course golf throughout high school.
I thought that because I was pretty good at sport meant I was a good athlete. And I thought because I went on to be a collegiate and professional golfer that meant I was a successful athlete. Now, years later, I finally realize what being an athlete really means.
10 Things I’ve Learned About What it Takes to be an Athlete:
1. Remember that your mindset, habits, and goals aren’t the same as a non-athlete.
2. Accept that you don’t get to treat your body and spend your time like non-athletes and expect to get better.
3. Surround yourself with athletes and non-athletes who inspire and support your goals.
4. Encourage and lift others up as they work to reach their own goals, not be envious or jealous.
5. Build a team of coaches who aren’t willing to let you settle for being average.
6. Trust that team of coaches and allow them to do their job no matter how tough they are on you.
7. Know when it’s ok to take a break and enjoy life and appreciate the little things.
8. Be willing to “do” what it takes to achieve the things you, “say” you want.
9. Never be willing to settle for good enough.
10. Create an inner confidence in yourself and your abilities that shines through as humbleness and kindness.
Every day, through my actions and decisions, I strive and sometimes struggle, to continue to become a better athlete in hopes that it encourages rising junior golfers to embrace their inner true athlete.
Brandi
See all of Brandi Jackson’s articles on WomensGolf.com
Brandi Jackson had a stellar collegiate career at Furman University, before going on to play professionally for eight years on the LPGA and Symetra Tour. In 2012 Brandi was inducted into the Furman University Athletic Hall of Fame, and she serves on the Board of Directors for The Blade Jr Classic. She runs her own business out of Greenville, South Carolina where she consults junior golf families all over the world on competitive junior golf and the college recruiting process. For more information on Brandi Jackson, visit her website at www.brandijacksongolf.com. Follow Brandi on Twitter @bjacksongolf and Instagram @bjacksongolf.
For more information about college golf recruiting and competitive junior golf, including Brandi’s innovative online Golf Recruiting 101 Course and Recruit Caddy Service, visit www.brandijacksongolf.com.
