When Big Dreams Meet Small Minds

A few years ago a 13-year-old introduced herself before her first lesson with me. She said, “I am going to play Division 1 college softball. Show me that you can get me there and I will stick with you”. She had my attention.

Over the next few years we dedicated ourselves to her dream, eliminating barriers, making the movements more efficient, and dealing with some physical issues that required a pretty sophisticated strength training program. Each step of the way had to be carefully managed because she is not your big prototypical pitcher. Rather small in fact. There were frustrations, setbacks, and she emerged from each a better pitcher.
Her parents committed themselves to supporting the dream and demonstrated the confidence she needed to overcome those who doubted her abilities. That was the biggest key. People with small minds will often try to bring kids with big dreams down to their view of reality. This kid was too busy creating her own reality to listen to others. Yeah, she is now playing D1 and making a big impact on her team and her conference.
Kids often bring me big goals. I have heard, “I want to play in the College World Series”, “I want to be the fastest pitcher ever”, “I want to play at _____ University”, or “I want to break every major college pitching record”. I am going to take those dreams seriously because I know they will need someone to believe in them when their big dreams meet small minds. I will be serious, enthusiastic, demanding, meticulous, and will make sure the parents are fully on board.
The greatest thing you can do for the kid with big dreams is not to buy her the latest gadget, take her to the greatest clinics, or put her on the best team. Those are fine. But, nothing comes close to the boost you will give her when she sees that you believe in her with every fiber of your being. When your actions stem from that belief, they are just the reinforcement she needs to conquer the small minds that will keep trying to hold her back.