Experience the Benefits of Failure Without Failing

Team sports are life’s incubator for growth and development. A microcosm for all the shit you'll encounter in the real world.

Think of kids. How can you teach them about the failure and losses they will encounter in the real world? How do you articulate the work required for them to bounce back or to never give up? 

How do you begin to explain that when they feel absolute exhaustion, and feel they can’t go another step….to take another step. 

Sports is life’s arena where you build the skills to deal with the real world.

This is a great time to intro an obsession of mine that will serve as the perfect example. 

Arsenal Football Club. A football team in North London, part of the English Premier League. It was love at first sight. I saw them on tv in 1998 at my grandma’s in Tehran and was in awe.

No one told me to support them. I had no family that rooted for them.

There’s some magic in that, and I just haven’t been able to let go ever since. 

At that time Arsenal were title contenders. We won it all in 2001 and 2003. I remember being amazed at seeing a group of people come together and be unstoppable. I saw how the team had built an identity that I couldn’t exactly explain. 

Keep in mind I'm absorbing lessons like this at the age of 8 (without even knowing it at the time).

Since then, we haven’t won the title in 21 years. I went through my adolescence, college, started my career, and have had a few break ups.

No ship.

I was witnessing and some what experiencing consistent failure.

I was being crazy and taking the failure personally. But in actuality nothing was happening to me.

What other controlled environments do you know of where you experience failure without actually failing?

I took advantage and began dissecting it.

What causes failure?

What do you do when you are in the middle of failing (no one talks about that).?

How do you get a group of people to not jump ship when they see a hole in the boat.?

How the f*** do you stay patient while you’re trying to get out of it? 

When I lost my job and had to find a job in 3 weeks or I’d be kicked out of my apartment, what did I look to? Did I try to find inspiration from 7th grade algebra?

The experiences of going through setbacks were at my fingertips, without actually having been through it.

I grabbed my laptop and went to the cafe next to my place.

I started applying to any and every job I could find.

I went every day from 7am-7pm.

I went until I got a job. 

Arsenal suppressed the shock of that pressure and setback.

The back bone of that motivation rests on my time playing organized basketball.

You can decide on the "how". Whether its’ playing it recreationally in a league or picking a team and following them for a few seasons. 

Here’s what’s on the other side if you absorb yourself into a team sport.

Establish Comfort with Failure:

In team sports, failure is inevitable. Whether it's losing a game or making mistakes during play. However, these failures provide invaluable learning experiences. You'll learn resilience, and the importance of bouncing back.

By facing failure in a supportive team environment, individuals learn to accept setbacks gracefully, and develop a growth mindset. One will understand that failure is not permanent but rather an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Obtain the Blueprint for Bringing a Team Together to Produce Results:

Team sports offer a microcosm of teamwork and collaboration found in professional settings. Players learn to communicate effectively, leverage each other's strengths, and work towards a common goal.

Through shared victories and defeats, individuals understand the significance of trust, accountability, and cooperation in achieving success. These skills translate seamlessly into the workplace, fostering a cohesive and productive team dynamic.

Enjoy Difficult Challenges and Push Beyond Your Limits:

Team sports present constant challenges, from facing formidable opponents to overcoming personal barriers such as fatigue and self-doubt. Engaging in these challenges instills a sense of adventure and excitement, motivating individuals to push beyond their comfort zones.

By continually striving for improvement and embracing the discomfort of pushing one's limits, athletes develop mental toughness, perseverance, and a relentless drive for excellence. These qualities are essential for personal growth and professional success, enabling individuals to thrive in the face of adversity.

Enhance Your Leadership and Communication Skills:

Participation in team sports cultivates leadership qualities such as decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Captains and team leaders learn to inspire, motivate, and rally their teammates towards a common objective.

Effective communication is fundamental in team sports, whether it's conveying strategies during a game or providing constructive feedback to teammates. By honing communication skills on the field, individuals become adept at articulating ideas, resolving conflicts, and fostering positive relationships in all aspects of life.

Build Resilience and Mental Well-being:

Team sports promote mental well-being by offering a supportive community and a sense of belonging. Players find solace in the camaraderie of teammates, sharing victories, and supporting each other through setbacks.

By embracing team sports, individuals not only enhance their physical fitness but also cultivate essential life skills that transcend the boundaries of the playing field.

From resilience and leadership to teamwork and personal growth, the lessons learned through sports serve as invaluable assets in navigating the complexities of life and achieving success in both personal and professional endeavors.