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The Baseball Observer - May/ June 2018
• Clarify your values
• Create a personal vision statement, which stems from your values
• Conduct a self-assessment in relation to your vision statement
• Take charge of the process of playing the game
• Manage your competitive moments
• Detect your personal risk factors
• Embrace continuous improvement
CLARIFY YOUR VALUES
A value is something that is important in the personal life of a baseball player. It is something that provides meaning to how the individual proceeds to engage in their life. A value is something that exists over and above baseball. However, the manner in which an individual plays the game--- competes at it--- can be influenced by what they value, as a person, over and above the game.
Values
Examples of values that have been clarified and expressed by major league players and that have provided meaning to them are the following:
• Being thankful to the people who support me
• Being honest with other people whom I trust
• Following through on what I commit to
• Taking care of my family
• Embracing my religious beliefs
• Listen to others who want to help me
• Other
Taking the time to clarify personal values is important for having a good perspective. In essence, values clarification can be considered as a cornerstone on which a player can balance baseball with the rest of their life.
Here are some ways that a baseball player can clarify their values, toward developing a good perspective:
1. Ask this question: What are the three things in my life, over and above baseball,
that I consider to be important to me.
2. Write down each of these things, since that are your values.
3. Then, challenge yourself about why these things are important to you and
how they may help propel your baseball game and career.