Soccer star Abby Wambach on being good enough | ReThinking with Adam Grant
In an insightful conversation with soccer legend Abby Wambach, we delve into the challenges athletes face after retirement, the importance of personal growth, and the dynamics behind successful teams.
Abby shares her journey and wisdom, discussing the role of leadership, empathy, and resilience, and the evolving concept of ‘enough’.
Setting a Direction and Defining Success
Setting a compelling direction is crucial in sports and life.
While winning is a clear goal in sports, defining success in life can be more complex.
Success is not about sustained happiness but about experiencing happiness in moments and understanding the concept of ‘enough’ in different life stages.
“What is enough for me right now is going to be different than enough for me in 5, 10, 15 years.” – Abby Wambach
Unwavering Pursuit of Excellence
The success of teams, such as the Women’s National Team, can be attributed to an unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Despite differing individual paths, a common drive towards excellence is a bonding factor.
Reflection on the concept of ‘enough’ is also vital in this process.
The Evolving Concept of ‘Enough’
The concept of ‘enough’ is not static, it evolves over time as circumstances and priorities change.
It’s important to examine personal desires, motivations, and potential for greed in different life stages.
Social media can influence these feelings, so it’s crucial to be self-aware and keep them in check.
“One of the things that prevents us from wanting to believe somebody else’s experience is that it’s a drama…It’s really vulnerable because there’s really nothing you can do…and so I think that sometimes it’s easier for some of us to just be like, ‘What the hell is wrong with you?’” – Abby Wambach
Embracing and Challenging Societal Expectations
Abby encourages men to explore and embrace their own femininity, challenging societal expectations of masculinity.
This highlights the importance of understanding and validating diverse experiences, breaking stereotypes and fostering an environment of acceptance.
The Role of Self-Esteem in Retirement
Building self-esteem without relying on external accolades or championships is crucial for retired athletes.
This helps cultivate a stable and grounded force within themselves, aiding in the transition to a new phase of life and contributing to a sense of personal fulfillment.
Optimism and Collaboration in Leadership
Key traits in leadership include optimism and a problem-solving mindset.
Emphasizing collaboration in problem-solving fosters positive change, highlighting the significant role leaders play in shaping team dynamics and success.
Learning from Personal Problems
Learning from personal problems is more important than relying on others to solve them.
This promotes independence and self-growth, ensuring that problems do not persist due to reliance on external solutions.
Finding Happiness in Moments
Finding happiness is not about constant and sustained joy, but about appreciating happiness in moments.
This perspective encourages an understanding of the concept of ‘enough’ and the importance of defining what it means in different stages of life.
