Finding What Works for You

In my last post, I talked a bit about comparison. How it creeps in, especially as athletes, and how the little things we overlook in our daily lives can actually have a big impact on our performance. I’ve been reflecting a lot recently, and I want to continue that conversation, especially for anyone who’s ever struggled with watching others succeed and wondering, “Why not me?”

If you’ve ever found yourself comparing your progress to your friends, teammates, or competitors, you’re not alone. This season, I found myself trapped in that cycle more often than I’d like to admit. I’d wonder why I wasn’t hitting the marks I worked so hard for while others around me seemed to get there effortlessly. I’d do everything “right”. Go to bed early, get my homework done, stick to my routine. Meanwhile, I’d see teammates staying out late, skipping stretches, and still performing well. It was frustrating, confusing, and at times, disheartening.

But over time, I learned a huge lesson: just because someone else’s path looks different, doesn’t mean yours is wrong. What someone else does has NOTHING to do with what you need to succeed. The biggest shift for me came when I started focusing on controlling my own controllables. I can’t control what time someone else goes to bed, what they eat, or how they train. And honestly? Some people thrive under totally different circumstances than I do, and that’s okay.

I’ve learned that my body doesn’t function well at morning practice if I go to bed past 11:30 p.m. And even though I’ve been told I should eat a big breakfast, I’ve realized I perform better with just a smoothie or a yogurt. That’s what works for me. Your needs might be completely different. Maybe you function best with eight hours of sleep, or maybe you need to journal at the end of each day to stay focused. Maybe you need to plan your entire week on Monday so you can relax later. Whatever it is, find it.

There are so many little habits we carry out every day that we rarely question. But those tiny things might be holding you back more than you realize. I’ve found that journaling regularly and staying grounded through my faith and attending church has helped me stay accountable and connected to my purpose. Those things keep me focused when doubt starts creeping in.

So, if you’re not happy with where you are, whether that’s in athletics or just in life, try changing something small. One little shift in your schedule, one habit, one mindset change could be the missing piece to unlocking your full potential. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it seems insignificant.

At the end of the day, it’s about learning what YOU need, not what everyone else is doing. Because success doesn’t come from copying someone else’s formula. It comes from figuring out your own.