What's Waiting for You at the Top?
What's Waiting for You at the Top?
I was walking my daughter to the bus stop before school recently when she said something that stopped me completely in my tracks.
We were talking about one of her teammates who is quick to criticize and slow to encourage. When the team loses, this girl gets angry and often cries. When her team wins, she is boastful and ungracious.
"She didn’t look very happy yesterday," I remarked.
"Does she ever?" my daughter replied gently.
She paused for a second, looked up at me, and said: "You know, Dad, I think the problem is she’s climbing the mountain of achievement without any purpose."
I stood there on the pavement, completely blown away.
For a bit of context, my daughter is only ten years old. But lately, we’ve been reading a chapter of my new book, The Culture Captain, every night. One of the early chapters focuses on this exact reality: the joy and fulfillment we seek in sports—and in life—comes from passion and purpose. To hear her synthesize a complex leadership principle and apply it to a real-life moment with such empathy put me on cloud nine. Especially since I dedicated the book to her.
But her insight is something every coach, parent, and leader needs to sit with.
We constantly look for fulfillment and joy in achievement. We tell ourselves, “Once I get that scholarship, once we win that championship, once I get that promotion—then I’ll be fulfilled. Then I'll be happy.” Only to arrive at the mountaintop completely empty.
If you aren’t actively experiencing joy, connection, and purpose on the journey, it won’t magically be waiting for you when you reach the summit. Because the only fulfillment waiting for you at the top of the mountain is the fulfillment you choose to bring with you.
—J.P. Nerbun
P.S. If you want to help your athletes find their purpose on the journey, my new book, The Culture Captain is the perfect read. Currently, the #1 New Release on Amazon for Teen & Youth Sports, it is the definitive framework to help young athletes find fulfillment, become great leaders, and perform at their highest level without losing their joy.
