Comparison is an unavoidable aspect of every athletes journey. From an early age, we are constantly being compared to other players. It's natural to feel inferior at times, to believe that someone else is better than us in some way. But as we grow older, we must learn to reframe our mindset towards comparison.
I grew up in a town with 3 stop lights of 3000 people
— Chad Longworth (@clongbaseball) April 3, 2023
At 9, I played 2 innings or got 1 at bat on my local little league team
At 13, I played right field and batted 7th on a local AAU team
At 18, I was the best player in Virginia, signed at a power 5 school and was drafted out…
It's essential to understand that comparison is not always productive. Just because someone else may hit better, throw harder, or play better than you overall, it doesn't mean that you're any less valuable or worthy of respect. It's important to recognize that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and that there will always be someone who excels in an area where you may struggle.
The same goes for career success. It's easy to get caught up in the rat race of youth sports and compare our success or lack thereof to those around us. But this mindset can lead to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and disappointment. We must realize that every journey is unique to us and that we shouldn't measure our success solely on external factors of the game that are sometimes out of your control as a player.
Social media exacerbates the comparison game of amatuer baseball/softball. It's easy to get caught up in the verbal commitments, tournament championship and other accomplishments that others receive. We must remember that social media is often a highlight reel, and we're only seeing a small glimpse of someone's life. It's crucial to focus on our own goals and aspirations rather than constantly measuring our online presence against others.
But the most crucial aspect of comparison is deciding what truly matters. It's essential to identify a path of improvement and focus on what we want to achieve rather than what others may have accomplished. We must learn to tune out the noise of external comparisons and instead focus on our own journey towards growth of overall skills as a player.
When it comes to measuring our success, the only comparison that truly matters is the one between ourselves and our potential. We must ask ourselves, "Am I giving my best effort? Am I pushing myself to achieve my goals?" If the answer is yes, then we should feel proud of our progress and accomplishments, regardless of how they may stack up against others.
Of course, it's natural to compare ourselves to others at times, and we shouldn't beat ourselves up for doing so. Instead, we must learn to reframe our mindset towards comparison and focus on the things that ultimately make our journey as a player as long as possible. When we stop comparing ourselves to others, we open ourselves up to a world of endless possibilities and opportunities for growth and success.
In conclusion, we must remember that comparison is not always productive, and we should focus on the things that truly matter to us. The only comparison that truly matters is the one between ourselves and our potential. When we focus on our growth as a player, we set ourselves up for a fulfilling journey as a player who got the most out of their potential. So let's tune out the noise of external comparisons and focus on being the best version of ourselves.
