It’s not who you are, it’s who you know.
Clichés are more artistic and at times provide very little wisdom or insight. A cliché is just a string of words used to generate an idea or provoke a thought.
No big deal.
The idea for this post came from a comment left by Christopher on my previous article,
“Kids Soccer: Can Love Buy You Money?”
Chris, (hope you don’t mind) replied,
“…part of the 2%…” Depends on your will, and how strong it is, not on your surroundings and all that. If you’re goal is to become a pro soccer player, then, you WILL become one, if you keep trying. Depends on the person, not on the surroundings/situation/century/year/parents/etc, is my point.
No offence intended here but lets break down your comment.
Depends on your will, and how strong it is, not on your surroundings and all that.
Your will needs to be strong, I agree.
Not only does your will have to be strong; you need a thick skin and balls of steel. You need to train, play and even live outside your comfort zone. Outside your comfort zone you sigh, unfortunately it’s the only way.
When you leave your comfort zone you experience many things but the first one that springs to mind is fear. With the introduction of fear comes the motley crue of self-doubt, low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
If you’re will is strong you should be able to shake these off, agree?
Whack!
What’s that?
You’re joking?
Training didn’t go to plan.
Whack!
The coach has dropped you to the bench.
Whack!
The sound of your hamstring tearing as you reinact the last scene in Platoon.
Whack!
You’ve been pushed, punched and kicked all over the park.
Whack!
Another dagger firmly embedded in your back.
Whack!
I’m hungry; I live in poverty and have nothing to eat.
Whack!
I’m hungry and my family hasn’t eaten in days.
Whack!
I live in the ghetto and fear for my life.
Whack!
Soccer isn’t played in my town and I have no transportation.
Whack!
My father is an alcoholic.
Whack!
My father is abusive.
Whack!
I wish I had parents.
Whack!
Soccer is my strength but I lack ‘team” political influence.
Whack!
Here we go again, contract negotiations.
Whack!
I can’t afford to play.
Whack!
There goes my knee again.
Whack!
The coach is useless.
Whack!
Unfortunately my parents are not in the click.
Whack!
The local club is rubbish.
Whack!
I’m running on empty.
Whack!
I’m 100% committed but will start next week.
Whack!
The sideline abuse continues.
Whack!
Not another injury.
Whack!
Operation, out for the season.
Whack!
Motivation makes a run for the back door.
Whack!
Team dynamics change, you’re scrapping from the bottom of the barrel.
Whack! Whack! Whack!
Your corner has thrown in the towel.
Goal setting is extremely important but must come with a warning and a disclaimer. It does not guarantee results and the strongest of wills could lead to heart ache and disappointment.
To suggest that the environment, parents, social status, location and “who you know” have no relevance to the player you become is both naive and ignorant.
Life can throw many curve balls and things you take for granted can disappear forever without a trace.
Players that are fortunate enough to play soccer should never take it for granted.
Why?
Most Kids with the biggest of dreams never get the opportunity to play because life has thrown them a curve ball.
“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”
Unfortunately,no matter how some people say that the will is stronger than luck or fate… it’s the real world..and in the real world, people pull some strings to make things happen. But still, going after you want would count….a lot.
Wow, you really whacked this post, didn’t you?
It’s interesting to see that you wrote a whole new blog post just to reply to one single blog comment you received on your previous post.
My personal opinion is that still it depends MOSTLY on the person itself whether he/she will succeed, be it soccer or anything else.
But, I have to agree with you, too.
Just take Ronaldo (Brasilian Ronaldo, not Christiano ;D) for example – he was a fantastic player, but his knee injury whacked! his career.
I have been in a soccer team here in Mexico but now I do not like soccer.
well, the life itself, as well as the soccer, is ful of experiences with the curve balls. still, i think that real talents may gain a lot in soccer career. but, ”who do you know” principle stands until boy became a senior ’cause in seniors’ competition there’s no passage for those who are not realy good.
Sometimes this technique of breaking it down and analysing works. This time i don’t know. Fragmenting it is used for a better examination and understanding and i see your point. Your surroundings do matter and influence life. I agree and hope for the best.
you know how many talents are lost? very much! sport in general was perhaps richer and different, if everyone would be successful. you have very high right in the article and is well proportioned. maybe a little harsh!
this is an amazing piece of writing here. I am 20 years old and have played soccer from 9 years old to 17 years old. I had many curve balls thrown my way as well but i continued to play hard and eventually made it to travel. You writing is inspirational and your words are so true. If you have the chance to do something take that chance because there are others that would die for that chance. Well spoken and very true.
The English wise says ” When There Is A Will There Is A Way…”, that and I do also agree with your article but don’t you think that sometime life can force you to in its way not in your way or how would you like to be !?… Regards
“Players that are fortunate enough to play soccer should never take it for granted.” and “May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars”. These two sentences from the text have left the strongest impression on me, not understand many things seriously enough, and some of which can affect (determine the fate of them) trying affected, in the end everything revolves around soccer, because soccer is life.
That was awsome, more than the message himself it surprised me the perfect usage of language, that’s almost poetry, good job dude!
To be a successful soccer player, a kid need successful and effective training from a good coach. But all good coaches can’t produce all great players. I think destiny, surroundings, situations have also major roles to play for a fruitful soccer carrier.
Football is now the world language of oneness, everybody wanna see the ball in the net, the green grass lovely field of play, the super soccer stars, name it, but no one really knows how they made it there, especially the Africa stars in the making, That Vast region where the strong survive in football, taking thick and thin to make the most, on a nutshell, nothing good comes easy though, Well what do I say, This is truly reality.
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