What is the meaning of “perspective”? The Cambridge online dictionary defines it as, “to think about a situation or problem in a wise and reasonable way”.
I work with two age groups that include kids who are committed to playing football at different levels. Of course all of the kids enjoy playing the game and some of those kids add a very competitive edge to every game they play.
As coaches we want high intensity and a good level of commitment in each and every session. This demonstrates to us that the kids are enjoying the session and want to show their skills are improving. Everyone has different ways of expressing themselves which highlights their character and where they are within the group. Both of my groups have kids with varying degrees of competitiveness but always with a winning mentality.
Taking everything on as a win or lose situation all of the time can’t be reasonable or wise, especially when there is an objective of learning through playing that involves trial and error. Certain training games are set up for failure or great success so that a particular skill is practiced repeatedly. Creating scoring chances with specific conditions makes players think about the decisions that need to be made in order to be successful and learn the steps they took to achieve that success.
Having a growth mindset where people realise that there’s a reason to strive in certain ways to achieve long-term goals requires the ability to put things in perspective. The games our kids play everyday and on the weekends are learning tools that create future winners. Losses are just as important as the wins. Every week the coaches are seeing improvement in performances and results after a hard week on the training pitch.
Looking at the larger picture and putting things in perspective is difficult for kids because they’ve only just started to experience their first wins or successes that they see parents and coaches cheer about. As parents and coaches we too must remind ourselves that the journey will be long if we wish to see true success. But is success measured by winning or being a winner who is a well grounded person, valuing everyone and everything? I guess that depends on your perspective…
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