Stop Taking Things Personally

Happy Friday, Footyfam.

Another amazing week in the books.

And we’re stoked that you’re choosing to read what we have to say today!

We’ve been getting weekly posts up for almost the past three months now.

With that kind of time comes change, and we would love to hear what you have to say!

At the end of this newsletter, you’ll find a place to help shape what we do going into the rest of this year.

If you want to be part of the tide that lifts all ships, now’s the time to speak your mind.

Now let’s get into it.

Palestine Makes Asian Cup History

For the first time since their debut in 2015, Palestine has secured a win in the Asian Cup.

How were they rewarded?

With a ticket to the knockout stages.

We’re excited to see if the momentum can push them through their next match.

The Cleanest Sheet In Europe

Yann Sommer might not be the flashiest goalkeeper in the world, however, he is a great.

With Inter’s Supercoppa win over Napoli this week, he tallies his 17th clean sheet in all competitions this season.

That’s more than any other goalkeeper in the the major five leagues.

Not only that, but he’s on track to break his previous record of 20.

Stop Taking Things Personally

As a footballer, you’re bound to face criticism at every level you play at.

It comes from coaches, parents, teammates, opponents, fans, and more.

If you’re like most people, there’s something about criticism that pushes your buttons.

Typically, you walk away from those words or conversations with your day ruined.

That’s completely normal.

But it doesn’t need to be that way.

Introducing the ego.

You’ve probably heard the word used to describe arrogant players, but there’s more to it than just that.

Let me explain.

If you’re playing King of the Hill, your ego is what wants to keep you in the king’s position.

It doesn’t want to hear things that would suggest you’re not in the king’s position (like criticism).

So it sets off an alarm that makes you want to defend your spot.

Your ego is not a bad thing, but it can definitely get in the way.

Like when your coach has advice that would make you a better player, but you tune out because you’re now pissed off.

Or when a teammate instructs you to do something because you’re not in the right spot, and you shrug it off because you know better (even though they’re right).

Having an uncontrollable ego is harmful to your growth as a player.

No coach wants someone who’s uncoachable, and no one wants a teammate who always knows better than everyone.

So, how do we work on this?

Stop taking things personally.

How to stop taking things personally

These aren’t just tips for being a better player, but for being a better human.

Let’s dive in.

Everything is not about you

If someone were to stop you on the street just to tell you that you’re a bad footballer, I’m going to let you in on a secret.

That comment isn’t about you—it’s about them.

Maybe they’ve had a bad day or that they get a kick out of prodding at people.

Why would you let a stranger who knows nothing about you ruin your day?

But when you realize that what they’re saying isn’t actually about you, you don’t see a reason to let it drag you down.

This also goes for when your coach or teammate gives you feedback.

That feedback is not personal.

It’s for the good of the team and your growth as a footballer.

Seeing this side will allow space for ditching unnecessary stress.

If you’re always upset, you’re never getting better

Taking things personally goes hand in hand with the victim mentality.

And if you don’t know what the victim mentality is, it’s the belief that everything happens to you.

It’s a fact (proven somewhere, I think) that you can’t perform as well when you’re not in a good head space.

It’s not worth it to carry words that upset you throughout the day and let them ruin your training.

You need to focus on what’s actually going to matter in a week and let that guide you.

Don’t let trivial things prevent you from growing.

You’re the only one who truly knows yourself

People are always going to have opinions, and people are always going to talk.

But here’s the thing.

No one knows the full story of you.

Someone might think you’re a jerk, and another might think you’re an angel.

People’s perspectives on you are incomplete.

It’s made up of fragments of time when they’ve been around you.

No one is with you 24/7, so no one has the full picture.

Except for yourself.

You are the only person who can know every part of yourself.

Listen to people’s words and think about them.

If you know they’re not true or you know they aren’t useful to you, let them roll off your back.

As simple as that.

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Until next time,

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