NO PLAN B

The other day I was talking with a parent of a 12yr old ballplayer...

She was sharing how many of her child's friends, even his teacher,

Had discouraged her son and the pursuit of his dreams of being a Major League Ballplayer someday.

Now - I know there are more than a million boys out there (and many girls for that matter) that dream of playing in the Major Leagues someday...

AND YES - we all know the ODDS (not even a percentage point ever will) of making it to the "Big Leagues,"

But - the advice I always give nonetheless - is GO FOR IT.

Turn that DREAM into an actual goal,

And charge after it with NO PLAN B.

I believe that because, our DREAMS, or anything truly WORTH achieving in this life…

WILL TAKE MORE THAN YOU’RE CAPABLE OF (at this moment).

In fact - I believe that’s the point of them.

It’s not the destination, not the titles, accolades or significance of being one of the very few who achieved the mark...

But, the purpose of our giant goals - is WHO WE BECOME in the pursuit.

I don’t believe in PLAN B's...

Because a PLAN A can ever be achieved with half commitment.

I live, teach, and coach - to go FULL OUT for Plan A.

In fact, in most cases, I tend to make Athletes' Plan A’s even bigger…

Because - I believe the Bigger the Dream that’s pursued - the greater the growth in character, values, work ethic, resiliency, resourcefulness, mental strength and skills that are developed.

*(I also believe, “HOW YOU DO ANYTHING - IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING,” and also hold the Athletes I mentor to incredibly high standards in all aspects of their lives, and to increase their "performance" in academics, social life, and family relationships)*

And it’s that GROWTH, that I believe, is most important on the journey.

For most, there will be a day when Plan A is no longer possible.

It’s then, that I tell them TO STILL NOT GO TO PLAN B…

But - DISCOVER A NEW DREAM - create a new PLAN A, and carry all their developed strength of character, values, work ethic, skills, and mental toughness...

AND GO AFTER THIS NEW DREAM MORE EQUIPPED AND PREPARED TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THE NEW PLAN A!!

*Oh, and by the way young ballplayers, anything worth achieving in this life will be met with naysayers and critics -

And many of them will be in the form of well-meaning, caring, even loving family members, teachers, and friends…

My journey was (and is) no different -

But, it’s up to you (and I), TO BELIEVE EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE BELIEVES…

That’s what Champions do. That’s what BEASTS do.

So, Young Ballplayer here's my advice, 

"DREAM AND MAKE 'PLAN A' AS BIG AS YOU CAN IMAGINE AND GO AFTER IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL AND SINEW."

I promise if you truly do, there will be no regrets, and there will be a DREAM that you do live one day.

(and not enough are living a dream life)

So before I leave you, I also want to share with you the quote that I shared with that mother and 12yr old ballplayer...

A quote that personally pulled me through many hard days as a youngster (and still does with my current dreams),

“If you say what you think, you’re called cocky or conceited. But if you have an objective in life, you shouldn’t be afraid to stand up and say it. In the second grade, they asked us what we wanted to be. I said I wanted to be a ballplayer and they laughed. In the eighth grade, they asked the same question, and I said a ballplayer and they laughed a little more. By the eleventh grade, no one was laughing.” - MLB Hall of Fame Catcher, Johnny Bench

Until Next Time,

Do the work, trust the process, and stay hungry...

LIKE A BEAST!

- Jason Botts