This past weekend, I watched my 10-year-old daughter, Samee, take to the volleyball court with her team. Let me set the scene: she’s one of the youngest and smallest players out there, and let’s just say that getting the ball over the net isn’t exactly her strongest skill…yet! 😅 But you know what? She’s out there, playing her heart out, with a smile that says, “I’m having the time of my life!” She’s cheering for her teammates, giving high-fives, and celebrating every point as if they just won the championship. 🏆 Now, here’s the part that got me: she wasn’t comparing herself to anyone else. Not to the kids who were acing their serves, not to the players with killer spikes, and definitely not to the ones who looked like they were auditioning for the Olympic team! She wasn’t fazed by how “better” or “more skilled” the others were. Zero judgment, no negativity—just pure joy in playing the game. 🌟 And guess what? She even won the Sportsmanship Award! 🥇 This award wasn’t for being the best player on the court or scoring the most points. It was for being the one who lifted everyone’s spirits, who made her team feel like they were all in it together. Her genuine enthusiasm, encouragement, and positive attitude were what stood out the most!
That made me think: if a 10-year-old can show up with that kind of attitude, why can’t we? We all have that inner critic that loves to compare, judge, and overthink. We look at others and say, “They’re doing better than me,” or “I’ll never be as good as them.” But my daughter taught me something that day: it’s not about being the best; it’s about enjoying the journey, supporting your team, and giving it your all, even when the odds aren’t in your favor.
Imagine if we brought that same spirit to our work life:
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* Celebrate others’ wins without envy.
* Encourage your team without comparing.
* Focus on giving your best effort without self-judgment.
And most importantly, let’s learn to have a little fun while doing it! Who cares if you can’t always get the “ball” over the metaphorical net? What matters is that you’re in the game, giving it your best shot, and lifting others up while you’re at it. 🙌 So here’s to bringing a little bit of my daughter’s fearless, judgment-free volleyball spirit into everything we do! And who knows? Maybe someday we’ll all serve an ace, but until then, let’s keep playing, cheering, and high-fiving like champions! 🎉