Letter to My Younger Self: Ray Allen
by Parker · 24 things on Twos
- https://www.theplayerstribune.com/ray-allen-letter-to-my-younger-self/
- Don’t ever put yourself in the position to wish you could hop in a time machine
- You need to stay focused, because things will only become more complicated as you have more success
- A lot of people don’t want to see you succeed. Don’t get into fistfights with these kids. Trust me, it will accomplish nothing
- Instead, remember exactly who said those things. Remember how they said it. Remember their faces. Keep these voices inside your head and use them as fuel every single day when you wake up
- And the voices telling you you’re the man? Those are the voices to keep out
- God will give you a lot of things in life, but he’s not going to give you your jump shot. Only hard work will do that
- Don’t be so naive as to think you’re ready for college ball. Young fella, you’re not ready
- You might think you understand what it takes to be a great basketball player, but you will truly have no idea
- You think you deserve to wear this uniform? You don’t deserve the privilege. Not yet
- This man is going to damn near break you, but he’s going to make you a much better player and person. This will be your introduction to what it really takes to be great
- You’ll say, “Because I can.”
- Sometimes you’ll be afraid. Sometimes you’ll think you’re out of your league. But you’ll keep showing up every day, putting in the work
- The secret is there is no secret. It’s just boring old habits
- It’s not about talk. It’s getting in your work every single day, when nobody is watching
- you’ll realize after you win the first title is that the thrill is fleeting. The vindication is fleeting. If you only chase that high, you’re going to end up very depressed. The championships are almost secondary to the feeling you’ll get from waking up every morning and putting in the work. The championships are like when you were sitting in class at UConn with your shirt and tie on. They’re just the culmination
- Your winding path to those moments is where you will find happiness
- Life is about the journey, not the destination. And that journey will change you as a person
- But in order to achieve your dreams, you will become a different kind of person. You’ll become a bit obsessive about your routine. This will come at a heavy cost to some of your friends and family. Most nights, you won’t go out. Your friends will ask why. You won’t drink alcohol, ever. People will look at you funny. When you get to the NBA, you won’t always play cards with the boys. Some people will assume you’re not being a good teammate. You’ll even have to put your family on the back-burner for your job. Most of the time, you will be alone. That won’t make you the most popular person. Some people simply won’t understand. Is the cost worth it? Only you can answer that
- Who am I supposed to be?
- Every day for the rest of your life, you’ll have to choose. Do you want to fit in, or do you want to embark on the lonely pursuit of greatness?
- The hell you experience will be temporary
- Go to the court. Stay at the court. Get your work in, young fella
- Most people will never really get to know the real you. But they’ll know your work