The park near my house has lots of activities – tennis courts, dog park, basketball courts, and ample paths to walk. One section of the park has a “kiddie” basketball hoop section, which has several “kid-sized” hoops in bright colors and fun shapes. Numbers painted on the ground at varying distances reward more points the further from the hoop. While I haven’t played ball at those hoops, I’ve always appreciated the concept.
For a kid who is under 4 feet tall, “adult-sized” basketball hoops may seem an insurmountable challenge. How on earth are they supposed to throw a ball that’s bigger than their head into a hoop that’s 2.5 times taller than they are? Put them in front of the kid-sized hoops, and all of a sudden, it becomes attainable. They can shoot the ball, they could score a goal (or is it a basket?), they can earn points. The fun and confidence that a child can have by playing basketball (as in “fun” playing, not “serious to win a game” playing) can be the building blocks for them as they grow up and face taller and taller hoops. Even in middle school, the hoops are slightly adjusted for the middle-sized kids and it isn’t until they’re almost full grown and in high school that they start having to shoot at hoops 10 feet above the ground. The goal adjusts with their growth.
I often think that many of the things in our life “self-adjust” in the same way. Problems that may seem insurmountable now, may actually be much more reachable after we go through some growth – whether it’s emotional, physical, mental, or even spiritual. The trick is to not get discouraged when that hoop seems so far away. Look around you and see if there are other hoops set-up that are more within your reach. Play on those hoops and grow, with the faith that you’ll soon graduate to the regulation hoops.
This same principal can be applied to bloggers as well. While we would all love to have bazillions of readers and followers, the truth is – it’s a process. If you keep checking your stats and get disappointed that you don’t have x number of page views today, you might get disappointed and think you’re doing something wrong. But if you put it into the perspective of your own blog’s growth, you might miss the picture of seeing constant growth because you’re so focused on trying to reach millions of followers. Focusing on the “adult-sized” goal prevents you from enjoying reaching the “kid-sized” goal.
Whether you’re a blogger or not, we can strive to always be better, stronger, faster, but don’t let big goals overshadow the smaller goals you are able to achieve right now, today.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pro Dunk Hoops. If you’re a baller or shot caller, check out their basketball goal systems. Impala with 20 inch blades not included. All opinions are my own.
denise says
February 3, 2012 at 12:02 pmgreat words of wisdom.
I have two hoops in my driveway–a small one for my 6yob and a large one for my teenage boys (they want theirs raised to regulation, but it’s so old, I don’t think we can). Best Black Friday present Santa ever bought.
Debbie R says
March 7, 2012 at 1:33 pmThis rings so true and really brings it home. My grand children just finished basketball tournaments. For both of them it it was their first year. My granddaughter is 9 & my grandson is 6.
OHhh they both worked so hard but my grandson’s team came in 1st place. My granddaughter’s team placed 4th in different age groups of course.
She just doesn’t understand it.
She is a child of God and has value; although her challenges are different than her younger brother’s, everyone has them.
I pray she adapts well to her challenges, whatever they maybe and doesn’t give up.
autumn kelly says
June 15, 2012 at 12:12 pmI will keep this article in mind when I constantly check on my new blog that has zero follwers.
Doreen Lamoureux says
June 16, 2012 at 6:25 pmWow. That was beautiful and very true. When I look back at my growth, I see the hoops. Thanks so much for writing this. Loved it.
Sandra Beeman says
June 18, 2012 at 3:49 pmAdjusting the hoops as learning to compromise is an always important part of learning for us all.
Ryanne says
July 2, 2012 at 3:10 pmI think you’re exactly right, we bloggers (most of us, anyway) are so caught up in the numbers that we miss the big picture. Besides, for a few weeks (my blog is brand new) I only had 5 followers…but that was ok with me, because they are just as important if not more so than getting a whole bunch of new followers who don’t really “pay attention.” Just my two cents. Your blog is adorable btw, I love the graphics!
Cathie Shane says
July 5, 2012 at 10:18 pmThanks for the inspirational talk on reaching goals a litle bit at atime. sometimes you feel like you’re never going to get there, but if you have a lot of small goals, it becomes attainable.
sara says
September 5, 2012 at 10:16 pmand to think-if you never take the first shot…you may never get it in the hoop…always push yourself to be better and try at everything…
Meg Tucker says
September 21, 2012 at 2:30 pmWhat a lovely insight! I believe that I was meant to read this today. Thank you so much.
Sarah Lehan says
November 4, 2012 at 2:15 amEvery journey starts with a single step. Good article.
Becky Isaac says
November 7, 2012 at 11:33 pmIt is very true, what seems “so big” like a problem, today, can seem much smaller given time to adjust!
tami s says
November 25, 2012 at 12:47 pmthis same priniciple can apply to all our challenges in life. It is so telling of how we live our lives and how we can choose to look at the adjustments we make on a regular basis
Christina Kelbel says
December 21, 2012 at 3:23 pmGreat post and relevant to us all.
MD Kennedy says
February 23, 2013 at 6:18 amAnother lesson from this: start small and go from there (ie, set SMART goals).
Ari says
February 27, 2013 at 7:28 pmWow this was a very necessary post to read for me right now! Just reflecting on what you’ve said, it’s extremely true that it’s easy to just compare yourself to where you’re not, what you can’t do, what’s hard and struggle with that idea and then concurrently put yourself down for it. But realizing that it’s not just a matter of something you didn’t do, or anything that may be your own fault, you can approach your struggles from a bigger picture viewpoint and see that where you are is exactly where you are based on the natural progression of growth. This is an essential thought that should be incorporated into daily thinking, I believe. At the very least, it should be reflected upon frequently to keep a realistic perspective! Thanks for sharing!
Kathy Lane says
March 10, 2013 at 10:34 amGreat post!It is so easy to get discouraged in our lifes,when things don’t go our way.
Maria Iemma says
June 11, 2013 at 9:35 amWonderful post – it is sometimes difficult to continue when you first fail but with perseverence you can reach your goals.
Becca Wilson says
November 16, 2013 at 1:39 pmThis was such an insightful post and I stumbled acrossed it at the perfect time in my life. Thanks for this little tidbit 🙂 It made my day that much better!