I am a big fan of Serena Williams. Watching her play in the U.S. Open was painful. She never seemed to get in her groove. The other player played marvelously and deserved to win. She earned the championship with her play throughout the tournament. Serena emotionally self-destructed in last year’s championship and her behavior was unbecoming of the champion she has proven herself to be. This year, she was gracious, yet her veiled expressions revealed the pain she felt.
We traveled on Saturday driving my mom to her home. She spent a week with us after evacuating due to the impending hurricane. We actually planned to leave so that we would get to her home before the tennis match started. We made it to our destination with plenty of time to spare. We removed the hurricane shutters and ate as we prepared to cheer our favorite player on.
I remember saying to myself “oh, oh” when former champion and tennis star Chris Evert said that Serena did not move her feet during the warm-ups. She concluded that Serena would not play well if she did not loosen up. My husband stopped watching midway through the first set. He said “she is not moving her feet.” Serena never recovered. I was not upset by the loss as much as I hurt because of the way in which she lost.
I am not a sports psychologist, but the sideline commentators suggested that she was nervous. I cannot say, however, I think an interesting phenomenon happens when professionals begin to age. I think we get to a point in our careers when we must do things differently in order to experience fresh results. We get comfortable and rest on our laurels.
The women who beat Serena were much younger, but that was not the determining factor in their wins. They studied her play and modeled their play after hers. They idolized her and worked hard to become just like her. They hit power serves well over 100 mph. They demonstrated muscle as they smacked the ball for winners down the line. She created players who have beaten her at her own game. In a sense, Serena is like the old gunslinger who has a multitude of young ones trying to outdraw and knock her off with one bullet.
I work with seasoned social work professionals who are nearing the end of their careers. They come to me seeking guidance for how to approach a side hustle as they move closer to the next step in their professional life. What I share depends on where they are in their own process. I have several standard pieces of advice that I would share with Serena. I am sure Serena has someone she trusts to provide advice and guidance. After she had a chance to rest and reflect I would share my big three as follows.
Believe in the Real Truth
Truth is whatever we believe. Our mind sometimes plays tricks on us and makes us focus on things that are not true. Serena can believe that she is growing too old, too distracted or too uninterested to play the game at a level that will earn tennis championships. She should believe what she has demonstrated. The truth is that Serena has played at a level that has earned her a place in championship matches. Getting to the finals provides opportunity to win the championship. She earned her place in the final match. She may be older than the other women players, but she is also wiser. This means she has a few more things to demonstrate and to teach the younger players about longevity and being the greatest women’s player to date.
Make a Conscious Mental Shift
No one questions Serena’s on court physical abilities. She is absolutely amazing; however, we saw her arsenal fail her repeatedly in the last match. Perhaps the deficiency is not physical, but mental. She has won every major championship numerous times. It is all old hat to her. She is accustomed to the crowd noise, the pressure and the hype. What a person believes affects how they think which in turn drives their actions.
Serena is also a mom now. Women know that motherhood changes us. Perhaps her “will not lose” spirit will be jumpstarted if she views her opponent as someone who is literally taking food from her beautiful baby girl. Mama bears are less than gracious when it comes to their cubs. Serena desires to achieve a specific goal to share with her daughter. The person on the opposite side of the net is standing in her way. She should consciously make her desire bigger, stronger, and badder than any obstacle.
Embrace and Incorporate Change
Seasoned professionals must be open to change. They have to be willing to learn new skills and show a willingness to implement a new way of doing things. Serena loves playing from the baseline. She stated that she is most comfortable in the back of the court. She also demonstrated, however, that she is effective playing serve and volley tennis. She has developed that part of her game and has used it well. The younger players expect her to play a certain way, but she can throw them off their game by switching to the type of play that is the most beneficial for her. Serena and Venus changed the way women’s tennis is played. She now needs a multi-dimensional game plan to transform her level of play.
As we age, we have to remember that those who follow us will strive to learn the most expedient ways to advance their careers. In some instances, this means seasoned professionals stand in their way. Seasoned professionals have the ability and wherewithal to adapt, change and grow. In the end, we choose to go out on our own terms.
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Marcyline Bailey, ACSW, LCSW is the author of Five Smart Questions Social Workers Should Ask if They Want to Boost Their Social Work Income e-book Starter Guide and Planner. These free downloads contain five strategic questions to consider before taking on a side hustle. You may also want to view Side Hustle Success as a Full Time Social Worker one of the webinars in the Side Hustle Social Worker Webinar Series.
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