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Nataliia Klimenova

Dedication and Priorities: Lessons Learned from a Young Volleyball Player


As a coach, I am constantly inspired by the passion and commitment of young athletes who dream of greatness in their chosen sport. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a talented young volleyball player who embodied the very essence of dedication and prioritization.

Despite my busy schedule, this young athlete was so determined to improve her skills that she willingly sacrificed her holiday to meet with me at 8am for a training session. Her dedication and work ethic were truly remarkable, and it reminded me of the essential ingredients required to reach the top in any field.


The first key to success for young athletes is dedication. This means having a laser focus on your goals and being willing to put in the hard work to achieve them. Whether it's getting up early for extra training sessions or staying up late to study game footage, dedicated athletes understand that every minute counts and that they must make the most of every opportunity to improve.


The second key to success is prioritization. Young athletes must understand that achieving their goals requires making sacrifices and managing their time wisely. They must be willing to say no to distractions like social media or hanging out with friends and instead prioritize their training and development.



 

Sacrifices.

I personally do not like to use this word, so therefore, I want to explain.

While we often talk about making sacrifices to achieve our goals, it's important to remember that these choices are ultimately a matter of priorities. In order to achieve our dreams, we must be willing to prioritize our goals over other activities that may be less important.


For young athletes, this means making choices about how they spend their time and energy. They must be willing to prioritize their training, practice, and development over other activities that may be more enjoyable or popular with their peers. This could mean saying no to social events or activities that conflict with their training schedule, or it could mean choosing to spend extra time in the gym instead of hanging out with friends.


Ultimately, the choices young athletes make will determine their level of success. Those who are willing to prioritize their goals and make the necessary choices to achieve them are more likely to succeed than those who are not. While it may not always be easy, choosing to prioritize your goals over other activities is not a sacrifice, but a choice that will bring you closer to achieving your dreams.


 

But perhaps the most inspiring aspect of working with young athletes is seeing their passion for their sport. The drive to succeed and the desire to be the best can be incredibly motivating, and it reminds us all of the importance of having a dream and working tirelessly to make it a reality.

As a coach, my role is to encourage and support young athletes in their journey to achieve greatness, but I also recognize the importance of balance. It's essential to find time for rest and recovery, to focus on academics and other areas of life, and to maintain healthy relationships with friends and family.


So to all the young athletes out there, I say keep pushing yourself, stay dedicated, and always remember to prioritize what matters most. With hard work, passion, and the right mindset, anything is possible. And who knows, one day you might just inspire the next generation of athletes to follow in your footsteps.



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