Dear eight-year-old Tony, I know that you’re growing a love for football. I’m here to tell you not to second-guess yourself and just do it. Why should you listen to me? Well, I’m you in six years, I am a freshman going to Brother Rice High School and start on the seventeenth of August. Also, yes, I am playing football. I wouldn’t be here typing to you if I wasn’t, and I’m actually not bad. You can even look me up online, and I went to the state championship twice and won both as a starter. The reason why I’m telling you to go to Mom and start now is because you would get so many more opportunities to meet new coaches and learn the game faster and easier.
However, being a starter and making plays isn’t going to happen if you do what you do now. Which is playing your PC and Playstation all day instead of training. Actually do the work and do the small things. I’m telling you, when you do the work you naturally get happy with the results and strive for more. All it takes is 15 minutes a day, do those pushups, situps, and squats Dad is telling you to do. Then you can get on the PC and Playstation. When I took it seriously, that’s when Dad put me in the pads. With that being said, do the work now, so you can see me better later.
Another thing I would suggest, is to choose your friends wisely on the journey you take. I’ll tell you now, the friends you have now in Eighth Grade might not be the same friends you have later. I know it’s hard to believe that, but over time those “ friends “ won’t support the path you’re on. So limit yourself to a small loyal circle when you put your head down and grind. People change for the good and bad, so over time you will see how your success makes them feel. Real friends respect your time and the goals you want to accomplish. The fake ones will try their best to make you slow down so you can be behind.
Don’t slow down, and don’t slack on what you’re supposed to do. All it does is stop you from what you’re trying to accomplish. Although it might seem like they aren’t trying to slow you down, sometimes they are. I’m not as social as you anymore due to that. All of my “ friends “ didn’t really support the journey. So I stopped giving my time to people who didn’t believe in my goals.
As I wrap up this blog, I really need you to remember the things I talked about throughout this blog. Remember, don’t put things to the side, do the small details, choose your friends wisely, and get 1% better every single day. It’s so easy to think that your journey isn’t working or it’s taking too long, but that one percent every day separates you from those who line up in front of you. Do it for me, do it for you.
Antonio Taylor – Brother Rice High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Antonio Taylor