Remembering Your Last Game, Performance, or Competition

Do you remember your last game, performance or competition? How about the exhilaration you felt when you made the winning shot, scored the game-winning goal, executed a flawless routine or made the perfect play?

I’ve been reflecting on my commitment to ballroom dance, which is significant. The sport is time-consuming, financially demanding, and at times, emotionally taxing. I invest in training, cross training, traveling and competing – where I am then judged by professionals, the audience and fellow dancers. A typical competition day lasts six to ten hours, and beyond the physical exertion (and unfortunately, injuries) there’s the added pressure of constant evaluation.

This experience isn’t unique to ballroom dance; many athletes face similar challenges. So why do we put ourselves through it?

To me, the answer lies in understanding how competition influences our growth. You might have your own unique reasons for competing: the love of the challenge, the desire for recognition, the enjoyment of the experience or the opportunity to perform at a high level. At the core of it, what truly matters is how competition shapes you – how you see yourself, react to the experience and what you carry forward from it.

By reflecting on why we compete, we can gain insight into how we handle unmet goals and the value we find in the process, even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for.

I encourage you to reflect on your “why”, as it can help you reconnect with the original reasons you pursued your sport and sustain or recapture the joy you once felt in it. In doing so, you may rediscover your motivation to return to the field, court, or stage, or simply develop a greater appreciation for your journey.