Trust the process

“Trust the Process” is a slogan used by fans of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, though it has since become popular elsewhere in sports and culture. Coined during a rough patch for the team, it basically means “things may look bad now, but we have a plan in place to make it better.”

We hear that a lot in professional sports when a team is rebuilding. Trusting the process is something that can benefit all athletes, no matter what age because improving at anything takes time. But the patience to see the results can be challenging.

Yet over time, athletes will begin to develop muscle memory, to overcome scenarios that were once difficult for them. Sometimes that success is so gradual, we don’t even notice. In the moment, it can be hard to see the improvement. Reminding kids of how far they’ve come and celebrating small wins can help keep them motivated and see the improvement during the journey. Encouraging them when they do something good will build their confidence and will help make them more excited to train more to get even better.

Repeating a drill over and over may be boring that day, but the results will show up on game day! Helping your child be patient and to approach practices with a good attitude, and a willingness to learn, will help maximize their experience. It can help prevent a sense of boredom and just going through the motions during practices. It will also help them out in life by teaching them that success can take time. And while it may take longer than we want, if you’re dedicated and are willing to learn, you’ll see good things happen.

Trusting the process can be a test of patience. But for young athletes, it will make for a more rewarding journey and can help them improve in sports and in life.