STRESS Creates STRENGTH

Frequently, I speak about adversity in my weekly articles here. That is because the topic cannot be overlooked in any aspect of life. Turning a blind eye to it correlates directly to lack of preparation. Accepting it enhances your abilities. Nonetheless, adversity is going to happen! In every damn game ever played, for all time, the inevitable monster has showed its ugly head. So what choices do you have? Stress Creates Strength

1. Pretend it doesn’t exist. Hmmm…

2. Wait for someone else to handle it. Cause That will get you places.

or

3. Embrace it and Become Better.

Naturally, #3 is the only viable option. Because Stress creates Strength.

 

Stress Creates Strength
How the Game Works

Remember, baseball doesn’t get easier, you get better. As a pitcher, you get better by learning how to minimize the damage. You get better by being able to slow the game down when runners get on base. Largely, you get better by learning from your mistakes. Having been there will make you stronger.

The first time you endure, bases loaded nobody out in the late innings, may cause you to hit the panic button! Thinking you have to strike out the side on 1 pitch. Then what happens? All Hell breaks loose and Huge crooked number goes on the board!

After you are thrown into the fire a few times, you then know where the light is at the end of the tunnel…and the fire extinguisher! You also know that if you give up 1 run in that mess, its not a bad thing.

Perhaps, you have a string of bad outings where you get shellacked. Forcing you to ponder whether or not you belong. Stay the course and make the necessary adjustments, and you will come out of it sharper. Being polished and battle tested comes from experiencing failure. Because when you can overcome those disasters, redemption awaits…and how sweet it is!

 

Stress Creates Strength
Team Concept

Quite often, teams that win the World Series, went through a rough patch that looked as if the playoffs were not even attainable. Absolutely, it gets ugly in the dugout and the clubhouse. That’s the strength building exercise. Testing the character of the unit and the individual is progress which should be openly accepted. Understanding and applying the lessons provided by the stress are what separate good pitchers from great pitchers and great teams from Champions. Because come October, there will be plenty of tight spots when the season is on the line. The championship caliber teams know how to come out unscathed. Maybe even make it look passe.

As a pitcher, it is all about making one pitch at a time with full conviction. When the stress from the adversity monster chews you up and spits you out several times over and you still want the ball, it eventually becomes a walk in the park.  That’s pitching!

 

Keep Dominating!!!