Going Pro --- The Next Level
Going Pro
The Next Level...
So you want to go pro!
Well how do you get to that next level?
That is the big question isn't it?
Well you must have paid some dues up to this point and have been a winner at an amateur level. You may even be touted as the best in your school, state, region or even top ranked in your nation. Players who are competitive and put in the time and energy to make it to higher levels know the amount of work it takes to make each successive jump. The jump to a professional is a big jump.
Its your dream your life and your passion to become a professional. You have had the coaching, the experience, the work has been hard but you have put in the time and now you are thinking you are ready. Well maybe or maybe not.
The question you have to answer is how do you feel when you walk out to engage in competition in your first professional event? Are you ready or are you overwhelmed? Are you nervous, excited, expectant or confused? Do you expect to play well? Have you envisioned this moment in every detail? What are you expecting from your coach, your friends and family? Are you ready to go for it and take risks or do you want to play safe?
This is an event with prize money and you are the rookie. There are veterans here who make a living in this game. They don't care about how you feel or if you make it. They are tough hard nosed competitors who will rip your heart out and stomp on it and feel good about it. They are sportsmen and they do not cheat but they play to win. There are officials here who will do their job and follow the rules to the letter. You will be questioned long before you every get to your first game.
If this isn't enough to get you motivated, once are in the game you enter your chosen profession and from that point you are judged as a winner or a loser by your results. You better be ready as there are no excuses. The facts will be very evident. Your score will be posted on the board and recorded. You will be paid according to your result. You must be committed to winning and selfish about your time, your energy and how disciplined enough to overcome your weaknesses and increase your strengths. Failure and mistakes will be a constant companion in your quest for advancement. You will lose but you will also win if you put forth your total mind, heart and body in every aspect of your preparation, the warm-up, the game and your daily regiment. You will eat, sleep, think, envision, dream, feel, talk, breathe, taste and know that this has become your life.
If your game is your passion where you know it runs through your veins instead of blood and that every emotion is focused on turning yourself into the best of the best then you are almost ready. To be a professional at this level there is no holding back, no maybes, no lucky, no excuses, no hand holding, no immaturity no weaknesses.
Are you are a winner, with passion, commitment, confidence, talent, strengths, stamina, focus, quickness, determination and courage. Do you have the body trained and balanced? Is your mind clear and poised? Is your spirit on fire and eager?
You are ready when your life and your game are the same. You are ready when your eyes are unwavering, steady and sure. When you ask yourself if you can walk into the match where you are not favored nor given a chance and play without losing your poise or confidence no matter the score then you are ready. When you can play with the same vitality day in and day out in a manner which is respectful, honorable and enthusiastic then you might be ready. When you play your first point in your first tournament and know that you have made every preparation and done everything you could to get ready and in your heart you know you are here and here to stay then you are almost ready. When you taste the essence of winning your first point as a professional and it is a release of pure joy of your soul and you want more. Then you are ready.
The journey of courage is victory. It doesn't end it just gets better.