Congratulations on graduating from Notre Dame, one of the nation’s premier universities! This is impressive in itself, but you did it while also dedicating an unbelievable amount of time, energy, and focus towards successfully pursuing tennis. Not many people can handle all that so take a breath, enjoy it, and appreciate what an amazing accomplishment this is!
I’m sharing this essay shortly after your graduation because I think there are several key lessons that are relevant to student-athletes at this time in their lives. My hope is that by openly discussing them that I can provide some awareness and tools to help you better handle the difficult transition from college to “real life.”
One of the main tools discussed is how improving your self-awareness can help you gain clarity and confidence in the direction you want to take your life. While this process of self-discovery never truly ends, beginning it will help illuminate your core values, making important decisions that much easier. This self-awareness is the foundation to help you create a meaningful, successful, and fulfilling life. At the end, all mastery is self-mastery, and it must begin with self- awareness.