2 Day Identification Essay

I recently delved into some research about a 2-day certification course I will be attending that helps high school level and junior athletes discover what it is they really want to get out of the sports they are playing, and how to help them train to attain the goals that they set for themselves. One of the trainers said, "The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward."

I had written an article on this very subject two years earlier, and found it fascinating that the same exact 'truth' would rear it's head again. (That's the way it goes with the truth - it will always cut through and define problems and point to solutions with extreme clarity.) Anyway, I

Sarah is a varsity level high school player and has never even thought about going on the pro tour. However, several colleges have been watching her and if she can make it to the State Tournament this year, her coach has told her that at least a partial college scholarship is all but certain. Sarah has thought long and hard about this, because her parents are not wealthy and she really wants to get an education. Sarah's been working on improving her weaknesses for two weeks. She slowly, but surely, has been seeing some improvement.

Her alarm goes off, and Sarah does not want to go to the courts. It's raining, it's cold and she's facing all the same challenges that Jessica is in regards to getting her morning training done. Sarah reaches over, turns the buzzer off on her alarm clock and...goes to the courts and gets in her morning training.

Now in this example...what's the difference? What is the magical ingredient that courses through Sarah's veins that makes her get to the courts? Sarah is not the nationally ranked top junior player that Jessica is. What makes Sarah go to the courts and what makes Jessica stay home? The answer may not be what you think. Believe it or not, these two girls are very focused, but in opposite ways. Remember what the trainer I heard said? "The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward." I have come to the conclusion that this trainer got it about 50%