James Palumbo

Do we really know what our limits are?

Since our limit is based on the past it is important to be self aware of our strengths and weaknesses. Without self-awareness, we will make consistent mistakes by doing things that we see others capable of.

Through steady improvement and extreme care for the things we do, our constraints will inevitably be stretched.

Through times of struggle the truth of who we are will be displayed.  If we determine our restrictions are permanent we will lose more often than not.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Individually and collectively we will win and lose.

There is growth that takes place in both and there is a moment we should all take after each result to realize why it went that way.

If we truly believe in our personal development we will take this time to appreciate what was done right and what could have been improved.  Now if we only care about the celebration of the win or the sadness and attention seeking of a loss then we are too concerned by what we acquire or our failure.

We are moving faster each day and might be overlooking the reasons why things are working or not.

You won? Great, understand why so you can repeat.

You lost? Great, understand why so you can change that.

When we are committed to improvement we should be committed to reflection.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

There is not one single way to do anything and everything.

The game of soccer or any sport is not played the right way by anyone since it belongs to everyone. Those who claim their own specific way to play the game is the correct way is fair and respectable yet there will never be just one way.

In reality, the evolution of the game is always dependent on new ideas that are copied by others and turned into their own.

Making something your own takes necessary practice.  When we believe that a certain way of doing something is beneficial to our progress we need to challenge this way as often as possible for it to be developed.  The improvement is reliant on how close and often we are exposed to the limits of failure.

Our practices should be a recreation of difficult situations to handle so we can fail in a controlled setting.  The resilience, confidence and quality built up over time through continuous failure will grant future success.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Risk management is a constant learning process.

When to play it safe and when to take a bigger risk will be a skill that is developed over time.

We may find ourselves giving advice to others, especially youth on the moments to take risks or play it safe however each person and situation is unique.

The measurement of impact a loss or gain may be for each person is different.

When working as a team to achieve a specific goal, the safest decision cannot be overused otherwise there will be a predictability and complacency to the operations.

Each individual must first care for what they do and then each step taken will be determined based on the readiness to move forward or backwards.

Better phrase: “Play it how you see it.”

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Why change if things seem to be working well?

At some point the opponent will figure out the strategy or there will be an unforeseen threat that is responsible for a setback.

Regardless if the threat is recognized or not, we should consistently pursue change for the better and which usually means it will be worse before it is enhanced.

Our personal development relies on the influential changes that make us uncomfortable.  The less familiar we are with a particular adjustment the greater the chance a new learning process will begin.

Our drive will seek the necessary changes to reach new heights.  Our mental, emotional and physical strength will always be tested when there is a modification.

If there is a belief that change is necessary, the early pains must be overcome.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Yesterday, last week, a month ago and the year before all had good and bad moments.

Staying in our present moment while understanding that we cannot become complacent will be the strength needed to propel towards the next stage.

When we reach new levels, there becomes a greater responsibility, added pressure and higher expectations/standards.  These moments have the potential to add paranoia of going backwards however embracing these new tests, as added experiences will help settle our uncertainties.

By valuing our present moments at the highest regard, we will strengthen the pride in how we look back years from now.

Our best efforts will never be enough when there is an approach of constant improvement.  The only things guaranteed are new hurdles and the enjoyment of how they will be overcome.

Take the hugs and kind words of others the same way as the punches and criticisms.  Recognize these exist; however neither side is right or wrong. The truth is that our most recent body of work is the most important so keep going!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo