In the heat of competition, where sweat meets spirit, lies a hidden superpower waiting to be unleashed – I call it “grit magic”.
4-4 in the second set. The sun turned the court into a sauna, sapping my energy with each point. Drenched in sweat, I could feel our opponents gaining momentum as they sensed my weakness.
This is what I call a “grit magic” moment – a critical moment where pushing through exhaustion can lead to an exhilarating win or a disappointing defeat.
In recent nail-biting matches with various partners, I’ve struggled to close out wins. No matter who I’m playing with, I’ve been the one stumbling at the finish line, falling apart in the end. Just when I need to ignite my A-game, it’s as if my skills vanish into thin air.
As the match gets close, the pressure builds, and panic sets in. I lose focus, misfire shots, hitting the ball out or in the net. The thought of losing takes over, and instead of playing “to win”, I play “not to lose”. It can feel like I’m giving up, like I’m waving a surrender flag to my opponents in the final moments of the game.
This is where the idea of HALT comes into play. HALT, an acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, is a tool I learned in marriage counseling that has been a game changer both on and off the court. It’s all about awareness – recognizing how you’re feeling and adapting to the situation.
HALT helps you grasp the connection between your moods, mindset, and body.
Understanding your personal energy patterns is key. For me, I know I’m most reactive when I’m tired or hungry. This awareness has led to practical changes, like avoiding challenging conversations when my energy naturally dips. When I’m tired and running out of energy, it is difficult to regulate my thoughts and handle triggering situations.
On the tennis court, fatigue is a tough opponent. As tiredness sets in, I lose my focus, and my mindset easily shifts from offensive to defensive. One minute its “We’ve got this!”, then next I’m spiraling into “Oh no, we’re falling behind!” In these moments, the real battle begins – not just against my opponents, but against my own limitations.
Cultivating grit magic requires mindfulness and body awareness.
It’s about listening to your body’s signals and responding appropriately. Sometimes, it means pushing through fatigue to achieve something great. Other times, it means recognizing when you need rest and recovery.
Grit magic isn’t just about sports. It’s about finding that reserve of energy when you think you’re spent, whether it’s rallying to win a tough tennis match, finding the patience to cook a delicious meal when you’re exhausted, or steering through a tricky conversation with someone close to your heart – that’s grit magic in action.
When we catch ourselves in a HALT state of mind (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired), it’s an opportunity to shift gears into grit magic mode. These moments truly make us feel alive. They serve as powerful reminders of our inner strength, showing us what we’re capable of when we dig deep and refuse to throw in the towel.
So, the next time you feel your energy slipping, remember this could be your grit magic moment. Embrace it, push through it, and discover the invigorating power of your own resilience. It’s time to play to win, not just to avoid losing.
Let’s transform those pressure cooker moments into our most exciting wins.
Game on!
….. until next time many many sweet blessings.