Annie Shea Weckesser’s Post

This past weekend I traveled to Florida to watch my 12-year-old daughter to play in the Amatuer Athletic Union Junior Nationals for Volleyball – the world’s largest volleyball tournament. I was amazed by the thousands of players (and families and coaches supporting them). Watching her dedication, hard work and passion for volleyball this past year has been truly inspiring. The journey has taught me so much, both as a mother, and as a professional. Here are four lessons she taught me through watching her play: 🏆 GRIT Pays Off: The teams’ countless hours of practice and their commitment remind me of the importance of persistence in achieving our goals. Whether it’s a personal dream or in business, consistency, and dedication are key. But it’s also about passion. Grit gave them a mental toughness that enabled them to persist — and even succeed — in the face of adversity. In fact, their team took 2nd place out of ~90 teams... and had the opportunity to be on the big courts for the final match, broadcast on ESPN 3 with a professional announcer. And much of their winning was due to pure GRIT. 🏆 Teamwork is Essential: The games they played lights out... were the ones where they were communicating 24/7. The support from coaches, teammates and family plays a vital role. Similarly in marketing and business, success is a collective effort and having a strong and accountable team makes all the difference. Support from your tribe is essential. 🏆 Be a Goldfish: Ted Lasso is famous for telling his players to “be a goldfish.” Why? Because a goldfish has a ten-second memory and can't dwell on its mistakes. This has served her team well on the court to reset for the next point. And it’s a good reminder for professionals as well. The power of the RESET is an amazing thing. 🏆 Celebrate Milestones:  Every step towards the goal, no matter how small or big, deserves recognition. Celebrating their achievement is a reminder to acknowledge and appreciate our professional milestones as well. There are so many crossovers from the world of sports into business and seeking excellence in all that you do. Here’s to many more victories, on the court, in the office and in life. #ProudMom #Volleyball #Leadership #GRIT #Teamwork