Click here to LISTEN to the 3 minute audio message: Burnout is YOUR CHOICE!
77% of athletes quit their sport by the age of 14 and it's said that the reason is because of:
Parents and Coaches!
Now, you might be sitting here listening to this thinking to yourself, "Yeah, that's probably true because I know some crazy sports parents or I know some crazy sports coaches."
But I want to give you guys something different today that I believe is equally as important for why an athlete burns out from their sport. And it's not the parents' or the coaches' fault, at least not 100%.
See, what I believe is that burnout is a choice.
It's a choice that you make when you don't acknowledge how you're feeling. An athlete KNOWS when they're feeling burnout because there are signs and symptoms that burnout is coming before it actually gets there.
Some of those signs and symptoms that burnout is near include: stress, feeling overwhelmed, not having joy for your sport, not getting excited before you go out onto the field.
These are some really key signs that you're about to burn out.
Athlete, if you are listening to this, from this day forward, burnout is your choice. You have a voice. You have a choice AND a responsibility to tell your parents, to tell your coaches, how you really feel! Tell them, "Mom, dad, coach, I'm feeling stressed. I'm feeling overwhelmed. And, truthfully, I'm not even having fun playing sports. I think I'm going to quit if I stay on this path."
It's as simple as that, and I know if you're an athlete listening to this, it's easier said than done because you might be a people-pleaser. I am, too. I think we all are in some way or another.
But the key is...GET OVER IT! You have to get past the people-pleasing aspects and you have to take care of yourself.
You have to let people know when you feel it. It doesn’t mean you are weak, it means you are STRONG and COURAGEOUS.
Parents, coaches...encourage your athletes to share their true feelings more. Tell them and assure them, because a lot of them aren't sure.
Assure them that you will not be mad at them. You will not be disappointed in them. Shoot, wouldn't we love it if our bosses in the real world acknowledged when we were overloaded or stressed and they said to us, "Hey, you know what? Go take a day off tomorrow. You look tired." Man, what a better world it would be.
So, the message is this. Burnout is a choice. Make the right one. Share how you feel.
Thanks for reading, coaches, parents, athletes. I will talk with you soon.
Dedicated to our athlete’s success and well-being,
Coach Andrew Simpson
P.S. We still have some spots open in our Fall 12 Week Athlete Confidence and Strength Building Program at PFP. Let us know if you want IN by emailing info@pfpfit.com
