Worth A Shot Essay
Worth A Shot A bead of sweat rolls down my neck as I take a deep breath and position myself in front of the goal. I look from the soccer ball to the goal and back to the ball again, deciding if I should take the shot. In a split second, I must decide. Through hastened process analysis, I elect to drop the ball back to an awaiting teammate, a calculated risk, but – tragedy- the other team intercepts and takes possession of the ball, losing my team’s chance to score. During a lecture on not doubting myself and always shooting in the 18-yard box, I vividly remember my coach telling me, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” This fairly famous quote somehow hit home when directed at me from my coach. It has motivated me in not only sports,
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but also life. Specifically from a soccer standpoint, this quote exemplifies a common strategy used: flood the opponent’s goal with shots and eventually one is bound to go in. I am speaking from experience when I say it can be embarrassing to miss a shot. However, more often than not, coaches will be glad that you took a shot rather than focusing on the fact that it was not successful. Taking that last step is what is required to even make scoring a possibility. Without any shots, there are no goals. Even more than sports, this quote also applies to life.
In this case, ‘shots’ refers to opportunities, making ‘goals’ an objective. The person who succeeds is the person who actively works toward their aspirations, not the person who hesitates and questions their abilities. Even when an event ends in failure, a positive lesson was learned. As Edison put it, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Over many years of playing soccer, I have certainly found many ways to not score a goal. Further, regret often comes when looking back on opportunities not seized. There are many things I wish I would have done, or tried, or stuck with throughout life. As a child, I was involved in dance and piano. Upon reflection, if I could do it again, I would have stuck with these things even though a fifth grade version of me saw it as overwhelming and impossible. With years of weekly lessons, these traits would no longer be difficult. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Every opportunity not taken is wasted. This quote reminds me that at times, a little risk is nothing to be afraid of and could result in a large gain. Whether it is making a literal soccer goal, or achieving an abstract goal, taking a shot is the essential step for
success.
but also life. Specifically from a soccer standpoint, this quote exemplifies a common strategy used: flood the opponent’s goal with shots and eventually one is bound to go in. I am speaking from experience when I say it can be embarrassing to miss a shot. However, more often than not, coaches will be glad that you took a shot rather than focusing on the fact that it was not successful. Taking that last step is what is required to even make scoring a possibility. Without any shots, there are no goals. Even more than sports, this quote also applies to life.
In this case, ‘shots’ refers to opportunities, making ‘goals’ an objective. The person who succeeds is the person who actively works toward their aspirations, not the person who hesitates and questions their abilities. Even when an event ends in failure, a positive lesson was learned. As Edison put it, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Over many years of playing soccer, I have certainly found many ways to not score a goal. Further, regret often comes when looking back on opportunities not seized. There are many things I wish I would have done, or tried, or stuck with throughout life. As a child, I was involved in dance and piano. Upon reflection, if I could do it again, I would have stuck with these things even though a fifth grade version of me saw it as overwhelming and impossible. With years of weekly lessons, these traits would no longer be difficult. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Every opportunity not taken is wasted. This quote reminds me that at times, a little risk is nothing to be afraid of and could result in a large gain. Whether it is making a literal soccer goal, or achieving an abstract goal, taking a shot is the essential step for
success.