Eyes on the ball. For the seventh time yesterday evening, Musa, my tennis coach, had just finished yelling it at me. At a tired me. I was already soaked in sweat, breathing hard, yet I still had to keep up and, of course, keep my eyes on the ball.
Honestly, Musa keeps saying this, and every time, no matter how simple it sounds, once I take my eyes off the ball, it’s only a matter of time before I miss. That alone is one of the reasons I couldn’t maintain even a simple rally for long enough.
After the game, I started to really reflect on it. I mean, how hard can it be to keep your eyes on the ball, just for as long as it’s needed? And that’s exactly what made me realise this is a more common problem than most people would love to admit.
Today is January 12th, and everywhere you look, people are riding high on momentum. The gym is packed. Even the tennis court was so full yesterday that we could barely practise, and that alone was a sign. This same court where you can barely find people to play with on a normal day?
I’m tempted to make this more complicated, but truths are often very simple, so I’ll leave it as this: the problem with most people, including myself, is that we can’t keep our eyes on the ball for as long as it’s needed. Most people aren’t necessarily procrastinators; they just get bored with focus. And momentum, more often than not, fails where discipline is missing.
Right now, there are too many voices and shiny objects. It’s easier than ever to switch, check out a new trend, change careers, try something new. There are many things you could do instead of simply keeping your eyes on the ball. It’s a problem we barely want to admit, and that’s exactly why I’m writing this.
Even as I write this, I’m wearing a very fine suit. One of my goals this year was to dress better, to work, to social events, everywhere. I woke up this morning feeling really pumped, putting on my new shoes and even a crossbelt. I mean, who randomly wears a crossbelt to work? I felt like some kind of Peaky Blinders character, or maybe a Temu version of one, but either way, I was pumped.
But this could all just be a façade of momentum.
Should we check back in July? Or maybe April, when the year starts testing people a little earlier. Would I still be on this vibe, or would I probably be wearing a random fandom T-shirt and some baggy trousers because I’m already exhausted? I even promised myself I’d write more this year, but by April, will I still be dropping pieces like this?
That’s the point I’m trying to make. As you factor momentum into your New Year plans, remember this: discipline gives you a better chance of keeping your eyes on the ball than anything else.
Many people want to eat healthier, live better, be more financially responsible, and make more money. Identifying the why is easy; staying with it is the real work. Keep your eyes on it. Stay there, no matter how you feel. Because a big part of success is the ability to stay the course regardless of your emotions.
Like I always say, regardless of how I feel. Some mornings you wake up craving cupcakes and chocolate, but cravings are just feelings, and feelings pass.
I want to mention your name right now, but even if I can’t, let me tell you this: this year, keep your eyes on the ball and do it long enough. The difference? You’ll love it. You’ll be proud you did.
And the fact that you read this to the very end says something about you. You know how to keep your eyes on the ball. I already love that about you. People like you keep others going.
I’m honestly rooting for you.