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When you consider your skill development as a process rather than a product, you begin to see coaches, teammates, people, game-oriented events and circumstances in a different light. Rather than passing judgment on others, you see their pursuits and actions simply as parts of the journey. Rather than struggle to make things happen, you begin to step back and watch them unfold, and instead of getting angry when things do not go your way, you look for the lessons that can be learned from every experience you go through. Similarly, when we consider the art of athletics as a process, we begin to realize that as soon as one goal is achieved another jumps in to take its place. A championship team enjoys their success but knows that the stakes have been raised and even greater things will be expected of them in the future. It is this ever-expanding process of goal-setting that propels committed athletes to the next level. However, it is a process that cannot be rushed. If we try to meet our goals without doing the necessary legwork, we will only struggle with too much too soon. Although “any team can beat any team on any given night,” ultimately it is the team that plays intelligently and deliberately that will come out on top. The team that focuses on each step and covers each aspect of the game in its entirety will be more successful than one that steps on the ice expecting to win out of sheer determination. Furthermore, the individual athlete that gives equal attention to all aspects of his position will advance his game quicker and more deliberately than one who only works on a single area. The will to win is only part of the equation – focusing on the actual process of winning is the other part. The Tao Te Ching says, “All of life is a movement toward perfection” but it does not say a meeting of perfection. This is because our earthly journey does not include the meeting of perfection. As long as we are alive, we will continue to pursue that which we desire. But when one desire has been met, another will take its place. It is this phenomenon that keeps the life force pumping through us. Even those goalies at the top of their game, the best of the best, continue to strive and wish for even more. Whether it be in their professional lives or personal lives, they have the desire and motivation to keep moving forward. They do not stagnate. Therefore, the lesson about the process of becoming is simple. Each day, take one small step toward perfection, but realize that you will never get there. Take care of the small things and focus on the details and the big things will take care of themselves. Master each step along the way with care and intent. For as we all know, life is a journey, not a destination.