From Tough Times to 10x Growth

Tough Season Growth LinkedIn Post

One painful lesson from my 11-year-old son's worst soccer season changed how I think about success.

Here's what happened:

Last year, he was the star on the second team. The coach trusted him, gave him creative freedom, and he flourished. He dominated games and grew confident in his abilities.

This season, he got promoted to the first team.

Suddenly, he went from star to benchwarmer. He was the only player brought up from the lower team. He had to earn every minute. The coach didn't know how to use him. His confidence cracked.

He was surrounded by talented, confident, and sometimes egotistical kids who weren't always kind. He suffered through months of doubt.

And I watched every painful minute, wanting to intervene but knowing I couldn't.

The insight that hit me: Being the best in one room doesn't prepare you for the next room.

My son's talent was enough on the second team. On the first team, he discovered that talent without mental toughness gets you nowhere. He learned that the world doesn't owe him anything just because he's skilled.

As an entrepreneur, I've lived this lesson. Moving from a successful exit to starting fresh meant all my previous wins became irrelevant. Each new challenge requires you to prove yourself again.

I keep reminding him: many kids better than him now won't be in a few years if he keeps grinding. The players who coast on early talent rarely stay on top.

Sometimes your worst season teaches you more about character than your best ones teach you about ability.

How has being uncomfortable in a new environment changed your perspective?

Originally posted on LinkedIn on June 19, 2025