If your Game is off, check your follow through.

I don't know which I like better here; that blonde or that backswing. 

One thing I learned in my athletic career is the utter importance of good follow through. My Mom used to shout "FOLLOW THROUGH!!!" from the stands. It echoed through the rafters and in my mind daily. It is a necessity of proper execution. Going completely through the movement. Holding that position. Following the shot with your eyes all the way through the hoop before moving on to the next play. 

When I was younger, I would practice a move until it was mine. I would rehearse. I would visualize. I would go for it during game time. Most days, the follow through and flow was spot on. Then, there were sometimes when the results were just lack luster. It was always a valiant effort but I would just be in a funk. 

On those 'off' kinda nights, I'd forget to extend my arm or snap my wrist and come up short on the shot.  I wouldn't recognize it at first but it was the point at which I quit. I would get fatigued, discouraged, or frantic in a game and all technique would go out the window.  I would catch a bad bounce or get blocked, hard, and become checked out mentally. Ultimately, my focus was gone. From golf to to volleyball to frisbee and everything in between, if my 'game' was off, my follow through was lacking. 

I learned along the way that my follow through wasn't just the missing link in my game...it was in life. 

In life, if I didn't follow through with my gut instinct, the results would be less than impressive in the next day's prep athlete score report. If I fought 'the flow,' the current would sweep me up. I would get lost in the battle and forget what I was fighting for: the best life possible. That life would include abundance in every facet. If I got lazy on my follow through, that life would seem as dreamy as being the first woman in the NBA. In my lack of follow-through, I found myself coming up short every shot I took. Whether it be work, school, relationship, self, etc. I wasn't breaking through the barriers of true fulfillment. I could sense when I fell out of bounds or landed in the rough. 

If your Life is off, you guessed it. Check you follow through. What have you said you would do but haven't? Where in life have you over promised and under delivered? In reference to yourself, when did sliver become acceptable? When did you stop showing up to the big games?

We go through high school and college with big eyes and open hearts, ready to take on the world. Some of us even survive our 20's that way. But then, enough of life happens to us that we become alright with riding the bench. We fouled out or got T'ed up enough to have had enough. Instead of taking the bumps and bruises with the glory of being the last team standing, we throw in the towel so season is over before spring break. Yeah, I know you know what I mean.

If you get super serious about what you wanted (and most likely still want), what would you go for? Would you go for that job or start that business?Would you leave that crappy job? Would you hold out for Mr. Wonderful? Would you at least break up with Johnny So-and-So? Would you have A LOT more to do before settling down? Would you take more time for You? Would you live in a completely different place?
WOULD YOU AT LEAST START PLAYING THE GAME!?!? 
Well lace up, Buttercup! You're startin' tonight! 

Where the hell to start, right? 
Haven't been to practice in months. Forgot all the plays. Old team's got a new coach. May need an oxygen tank. Ho-Hum.

When you see a pretty flawless athlete, their flow is so super smooth. They dribble, hand off, shoot, jump and even stop with such finesse. The ball floats through the hoop, glides into the goal, and lands in the hole as if it belongs there. They are practiced, poised, and in mighty good shape. 

If you are looking at where to start, remember where you started in the first place. Remember that you wanted to pitch for the Yankees and you decided that the Railcats will do. They are a mighty fine choice, mind you, but you had your sights set on the Big Apple, baby.

Once you've decided you are ready to play again, GET A COACH! The day I got a life coach was the day I ended my days of majoring in the minors. I started leveling up in ever area of life. I am proud to be sending highlight reels to every major city. I am playing for the greatest game of all. The highest and best version of myself and life. 

The best athletes still have a coach even in their adult careers. There comes no point in life where we "totally got this." We all need that outside perspective to point out that we are dragging our foot or dropping our shoulder. The process of life and growth is never done...until its done. And until the day that the last buzzer sounds, practice starts on Monday. ​

​In life, check your follow through.
While your at it, check your swing as well!
Get a coach to partner with you along the way. 
I know a pretty good one. 
BATTER UP! 

Live the live you love.