OMG! I can't believe that just happened.....
Yeah, that's probably the first thought that crossed my mind. I do not like talking or dwelling on my mistakes, but my younger brother convinced me to go ahead and write. After giving up a bad goal, so many thoughts come into your head....
"What just happened?", "Why me?", "I can't believe this", and even the old "please get me out of here" all crosses your mind.
However, there is still a game going on and the last thing you want to do is let your thoughts cost your team another goal. The initial thing is to stay focused until the game is over. Only then, is it a time to reflect....
I can only imagine how difficult it is for goalkeepers to go through this a first time in their young careers. For someone like me, it is a tad easier, but in all honesty, nothing in life can prepare you for the isolated feeling in front of thousands of fans.
It even gets worse when family, close friends, and thousands of supporters have spent tons of time and money to come and watch a game. All these things come into play after making a mistake, but then you really have two choices.
Do you let this mistake get the best of you? Or do you make this another learning experience to grow and become a better person?
After making a big mistake, it is human to want to runaway and hide in a hole, pretend you don't care, or just start making excuses.
You can choose to do this, but a better way out, in my opinion, is to simply raise your hand and say "it was a mistake, and I will learn from this". There is a tendency to want to do more than you have been merely to "make up" for your mistake. STOP!
You don't have to do MORE. You just have to be YOU! Hopefully this means going back to being the hard working player you have been and concentrate on the only thing you can: this moment, the next play, your day to day habits as well as your attitude.
Do I have the mental capacity to come back and be better? Or will I sit and dwell about the past??
I think we all know which one is the correct answer.
For the young players out there, it's important to know that no matter who you are, you are going to make mistakes. However, it is your response to these mistakes that show the world who you are.
The most successful people in the world say that the biggest problems present the biggest opportunities. Well that's exactly what I'm doing. Bad goals are part of the position. Accept this and move on.
If you have a story you'd like to share or just want some encouraging words, please email me at GKUnion101@gmail.com
The advice I give to all younger goalkeepers is to go out and make mistakes. They are the best learning teachers and as Billy Joel says, they are truly the only things you can call your own. haha.
may the posts be with you....
Joe Cannon
