Life's lessons from football
published: Sunday | July 16, 2006

- IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamaica Reggae Girls in their game against St. Kitts and Nevis in Gold Cup Football qualifyer at the Tony Spaulding Sports complex on May 12.

Glenford Smith, Contributor

AFTER PROVIDING millions around the world with four weeks of memorable entertainment, the FIFA 2006 World Cup has undoubtedly created many thrilling memories. It has been said, however, that 'sports is a microcosm of life', and there are several principles you can take from the game of football that will help you to be a big winner in the game of life.

ALL ABOUT GOALS

Winning in football is about scoring goals. So it is in the game of life. Bestselling author of Maximum Achievement, Brian Tracy states, "Success is goals; all else is commentary." Setting and achieving goals is the master skill of success in life.

Although many people proclaim their desire for a better career, health, more money and more fulfilling relationships, they rarely set specific targets to guide them in realising these desires. In the same way that scoring a goal in football is about a pass-by-pass build-up, so it is with achieving your major goals in life. You have to commit to smaller targets and work on them every day to score your winning goal.

MIND GAMES & STRATEGY

To the superficial onlooker, football may simply be a group of big men running up and down the field, kicking and fighting for a little ball. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as football requires immense intelligence, and a masterful and flexible game plan. Each player is playing to a strategy, prepared beforehand by the coaches and team, based upon the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents and the conditions of play for that game.

Success in life is not a matter of luck or chance. It can only be assured by diligent planning and preparation. Remember: "If you fail to plan ­ you plan to fail." In life, as in football, it's not just about frenetic action but about diligent mental and strategic preparation.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Few predicted that Italy would be world champions. Yet, they believed in themselves. Don't allow anyone to determine what you can and cannot do. Never doubt your abilities, and disparage your goals and dreams.

You can do what you believe you can. Be fiercely self-confident. Tennis star Venus Williams believes. "To be a winner you have to believe in yourself especially when others don't believe in you."

While there can be only one winner in football, we all can be winners in life by applying these principles.

Glenford Smith is a peak performance & self-esteem coach. Email him at Glenfordsmith@yahoo.com.