As we get ready to head to the World Ninja League World Championships in a little over a week, I’ve found myself reflecting on the journey that got us here.
Winning first place at the Southeast Regionals was a tremendous accomplishment, and I’m incredibly proud of what my daughter Juliet has achieved. But as exciting as the results have been, what makes me proudest has very little to do with medals or rankings.
From Day 1, I’ve tried to emphasize a few simple lessons that I believe matter not only in ninja, but in life. The older she gets and the higher she climbs in this sport, the more I realize those lessons have become the foundation of everything she does.
Be on time. It all starts here. Yes, being early is being on time. It’s a sign of respect for your coaches, your teammates, and yourself. It shows responsibility, organization, and preparation. The positive habit of being on time has so much carryover into every other aspect of life.
Have fun. Never forget why you started doing this in the first place. One of the best things in life is working hard at something while genuinely enjoying it.
I’ll support you every step of the way. If you’re serious about improving, competing, and reaching higher levels, I’ll do everything I can to help you succeed. That means being present, helping you prepare, keeping you organized, and making sure you’re provided with opportunities that will help your advancement.
Do your best. There’s a difference between saying, “I tried my best” and being able to say, “I did my best.” The goal after every practice should be to look in the mirror and honestly say, “I gave my absolute best today.”
Train in competition mode. When appropriate, create practice situations and a mindset that mirror competition. The more comfortable you become under competition conditions, the more confident and prepared you’ll be when it matters most. At the same time, some days should simply be fun and loose.
Stay focused. Ninja, like any sport, has its risks. Staying focused on the task at hand not only helps performance but also reduces the chance of injury. Trust your coaches, pay attention, and look them in the eye when they’re speaking to you.
And finally, no matter where you go, what you do, or how old you get, I’ll always be your biggest fan and you’ll always be my little girl.
The World Championships are next and it is anyone’s guess as to what to expect.
But I am confident at least two things will happen for certain:
We’ll be on time.
And we’ll have fun.