They say that comparison is the thief of joy, and, well, that’s true. It’s also possible to believe that comparison is the thief of individual accomplishment within sports. We compare those who are currently on rosters to those who set standards, broke records and created rules. Those who left their mark on their sports often continue to be spoken about.
This past-focused mindset leads to nearly neglecting the newer generation of athletes who have the insane potential to not just be like the greats but become greats themselves. The insane potential to change the game in a new way as everything is always changing, always evolving to hopefully improve.
For athletes, the earlier quote about comparison serves as a clear reminder that true joy and confidence stem from self-awareness and a desire for personal growth. This perspective contrasts with the intense competition that can cause athletes to be grouped together, overshadowing their individual achievements and the unique characteristics that make their accomplishments so rewarding.
There’s a short quote from Harvey Mackay, “Learn from the past, but don’t live there.”
While not said in this hyper-specific context, it remains true to even non-athletes. History is a fundamental factor in every subject ever created, and while we should never let it slip from our memory, we can’t fail to recognize the current players and acknowledge the new ones coming in.
Let’s jump back to 2019, when Abbie J. Shipp and Brad Aeon wrote a wonderful issue about Temporal Focus.
The issue itself describes temporal focus as “the extent to which individuals characteristically direct their attention to the past, present, and/or future.”
It focuses primarily on how each era of the thought process, past, present and future, could be of assistance, as it allows someone to appreciate the present, plan for the future and learn from the past.
In psychological terms, time perspective is simply how a person cognitively and emotionally relates to the past, present and future and how it affects the way they experience life, plan and make decisions.Â
It’s becoming more frequent to take a minute and glance around to see what’s going on in the moment. The internet shows us the future so much and reveals more about the past, but rarely does it feel like it’s focused on the present. The future doesn’t need to arrive right this minute. It’ll catch its train when it’s meant to.Â
Looking back to the players that have made the games we love what they are today, their toughness, charm and heart have become part of our memories. When we think about them, we remember how important each season is and how each moment is part of a story bigger than any one season.
We cannot reverse time, nor can we stop it. New players will step on the field with their hopes and dreams. They’re ready to start writing the next chapter. Knowing the past is even more valuable now that it taught us how to welcome the future.Â
