THE OFF-SEASON
Hey Fam,
I was just thinking about sports, and I began reflecting on how much I love how actively involved and invested one becomes. Whether you play a sport, coach/train, invest, or consider yourself a go hard for your team(s) fan, there is just a certain level of investment and commitment that comes with the territory. You put in work during the regular season and during the off-season in preparation for the new season. Even during the off-season, the fans are also in preparation mode (let that sit with you).
I have especially been paying attention to how my nephews/little cousins play different sports, and I love watching their commitment and growth over the course of the season. However, I have specifically paid close attention to what is happening during the
off-season. My nephew plays football, and I watch how my brother makes sure that my nephew stays disciplined even during the off-season. The aunty in me after a season is over is like “ok cool, now nephew can rest!” LOL BUT, just as I understand that rest & recovery are important, I also understand the value of discipline & preparation for the NEXT SEASON. Fam, how you steward your time during the off-season matters! Here are some practical tips that apply to not only sports, but in whatever “off-season” you may find yourself facing.
REST because GO TIME is soon approaching! During your off-season, use that time to get adequate rest. Rest can be simply taking time for your-self and putting the busyness of your life on a temporary pause. Sometimes when we are constantly in go mode, we don’t realize that some of the irritability or lack of focus in the old season was due to a lack of rest (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually). After you are well rested, you have a better focus and stamina to persevere.
RECOVER physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually! There is gain after loss! Recovery is important. You are giving your body, mind and soul time to heal from the trauma of the past season. You could also be giving yourself time to recover after consecutive wins after all of the hard work you put in during the season (quite sure there were things you sacrificed during that time whether it was sleep, time spent with your family, turning down certain events because you were busy, turning down certain business ventures/money because it wasn’t conducive to your present season etc). You can tell the difference between someone who took proper time to recover vs someone who rushed back to something without properly healing. You will bleed all over a thing (the next season, people, your blessing, business, ministry, family etc ) if you don’t take time to heal and recover.
PREPARE don’t get too comfortable or become lackadaisical during the in-between. It’s so easy for us to become complacent during the off-season and completely dismiss some of the disciplines that kept us grounded. In sports, just because it’s the off-season, it doesn’t mean that the players completely dismiss training/exercising, eating a balanced diet, studying plays, setting goals, reflecting etc. When you know a new season is loading, you prepare!
Let this be your reminder and encouragement to steward the off-season well. There is a new season loading, and you are going to need to bring your “A” game. Rest, Recover and Prepare because this next season is GO TIME!
Talk to you soon,
Ky
