Most people get involved in athletics, clubs, bands, or group settings that reflect their interests. When participating in these events, it sparks you to move outside of your comfort zone and learn more about yourself. More specifically, sports can have a huge impact on your personality. You are encouraged to venture out and go above the standards, which tests most athletes’ character. While playing sports, you build different aspects of your character and personality that you may not have found without it. Throughout my years of competing, I noticed the development of my character and how I am able to trace back to what made me into the athlete and person I am today. For instance, hearing the jeers from the crowd about my tiny build turned me into a resilient player and motivated me to play big. In certain moments, I played so big to the point where I found myself sacrificing my body to exhibit the amount of bravery I had within me. Despite going back into a game injured, I was able to set an example of leadership to my teammates that if you have the heart and drive, you’re willing to put anything on the line. Athletes are put into different scenarios and situations that require resilience, leadership, bravery, strong work ethic, and many other traits in order to succeed. There is a difference between “good” and “great” athletes, the “good” are only supplied with talent, whereas, the “great” are able to recognize the growth of character. Athletics have their own way of bringing out the best in athletes, but in the end, it is the drive and strong traits that are the building blocks to be someone greater. Not only do sports make you an outstanding athlete, but also prepares you for life and how you will handle certain situations along the way. In conclusion, sports can help shape your personality and have an impact on the type of person you will become in the future.
How Do Sports Impact You? 
Taking into account your experiences, how has sports been able to develop/impact your personality?
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Participating in athletics has been pivotal in in developing my personality and who I am. It has put me in situations where I am forced to come out of my shell and use my voice in ways that other areas of my life never require of me. It’s taught me to encourage the people around me, hold myself and my peers accountable to our goals and values, and put others before myself. Athletics have engrained a habit in me of working hard and giving my all. It has given me a way to dream big and set goals. It has taught me how to celebrate victory the right way, and fail in the right ways too. It has taught me to be steady in my approach to both the good and the bad. I know that these are all things that are now part of who I am and will transition into other aspects of my life and my future.
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Shelby, thank you for sharing. It is inspiring to hear that athletics pushed you to come out of your shell and use your voice in ways you never thought you would. You are extremely positive, motivating, and one of the hardest workers I know, and I am glad you had the experience of athletics to instill those traits in you. I love that you hold yourself and your peers accountable because that is a hard characteristic to take on. I also agree that athletics have the power of ingraining the thought to dream big and set goals along the way, which is an amazing opportunity to have in our life. I love that you mentioned how you handle victories but also failures as well because as an athlete I believe it is very important to have the ability and the correct mindset to learn and react from our failures. There are two different types of people in sports; one sits and grieves in their losses, while the other one gets back up and makes the adjustments. That trait alone is one of the most important aspects to have in athletics and life in general. It was nice to hear your thoughts on how much of an impact athletics has had on your life and that those traits will transfer into your future and life as well.
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Sports created an outlet for me as a young kid to get out and have fun. It also connected me with other people and allowed me to grow friendship.
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Kevin, I appreciate you taking the time to respond! I agree, I believe sports are also a way to engage in different conversations and friendships that we may not experience in other aspects of our life. I also feel that athletics as a young kid can definitely have a impact on someone’s life and create that environment of having fun and being free as a child. I’m happy to hear you had that positive experience as a kid!
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By me playing sports and being a athlete I think it impacted me a lot it kept me focused and humble really didn’t care what people thought about me as a athlete I just kept doin what I did best and it brought me out my shell I’m more social with people I really didn’t like to talk like that just stayed to my self and balled but I’m a very good team player and I have good sportsmanship
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Thank you for your response. I liked that you mentioned not caring what people think because I can also relate. I think it is important not to get stuck on what people have to say about you, because in the end only your thoughts matter. I believe that sometimes people get caught up in their thoughts of what others think, and that detours them from what they want to be and where they want to go. There will always be at least one person that is going to hate on you or try to distract you from your ultimate goal, but it is a powerful trait to have that you are capable of staying in your zone. Keep working hard, tune out the haters, and you will end up where you are striving to be.
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If I didn’t have sports, I wouldn’t know where my life would be. Being an athlete was the best choice I chose for myself because it kept me focused on my future. My sport gave me purpose each day to better, on the field, in the gym, in my classes. It has driven me to be a good teammate, leader and person. I couldn’t picture my life without my sport because everything I am is a product of my love for it.
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Life as a student-athlete has helped develop my personality significantly. Throughout my athletic journey, I have learned how to be empathic and it has also helped me develop my confidence. Sports allow athletes to develop traits of hard work and resiliency at a earlier stages in life, which benefits them in their adult life.
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Being involved in sports is something that many people take for granted. These traits that you gain are things that help you in the real world with communication, perseverance, and teamwork. I believe that if I did not take an interest in sports I would not have the drive and confidence I have today.
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I learned so much in the three years I was on my high school’s tennis team. It taught me the importance of having confidence in myself and that without that, the likelihood of me succeeding is very low. It also showed me how to keep going even when it was difficult and I was tired. I think the matches where I fought with everything in me (regardless of whether I won or lost) were the ones that really shaped me as a person.
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I totally agree! God has most developed my character and time management and people skills through sports!
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Being an athlete is a huge part of my identity. Without sports, I would have been cut off from many life experiences and friendships I now cherish. Athletics taught me many lessons like how to work well with others, how to have a strong work ethic, and most importantly how to deal with failure. Much of who I am today I owe to sports and the people I was introduced to through athletics.
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I feel like sports impacted me in a good way. Playing a sport at a young age shoes you how to interact with others and really develop friendships
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I couldn’t agree more! Sports have really affected me in ways that I never knew were possible. When I was younger and not as focused on baseball, I did more individualized sports and I put a lot of pressure on myself and I’m glad I did. I feel that putting positive pressure from myself has pushed me more than any other coach has. My dad has always told me “you are your best coach” so I have learned that for me to be my best coach I need to be fueling myself daily with positive self-talk. I believe that all great athletes should have an internal drive that is not based on a condition of chance, but rather a goal that you WILL achieve. My biggest struggle is being patient. While I’m sure I’m not the only athlete that struggles with this, I know that if I surround myself with those with the same vision of being relentless I will do the impossible.
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Wow, Tommy this was remarkable to read. I 100% agree that positive self-talk is what makes or breaks our outcomes in our life and sports. It is motivating that you shared this because from a personal experience, I find it very difficult to remain positive through all of the road blocks we face, but you do and that is amazing. I can tell you have that positive drive and thought of “I will” in most things that you do and I aspire to be that way everyday. I agree, it is very important who you surround yourself with and it has always helped me to be surrounded by people with the same goals and dreams as myself. Thank you for taking the time to share this, your wise words inspired me to remain positive in any situation, and I know you will also inspire others throughout your life.
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Participating in sports I believe greatly contributes to ones growth emotionally. By participating in sports I learned patience, confidence , & team playing skills. I was never coordinated growing up & playing soccer taught me to overcome my mental “ clumsiness” that prevented me for years to not join a sports team. Once I put my self out there & joined a team, I overcame that fear of not being athletic enough. I believe everyone can benefit mentally from playing a sport.
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Lauren, it is astonishing to hear the road block you overcame in your life. Most people wouldn’t try to put themselves out there after having their head filled with negative mental blocks, but you did and that is inspiring. I also agree that everyone can benefit in both aspects; physically and mentally, from playing a sport. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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Sports have played a huge role in impacting who I am today. I believe that playing multiple sports growing up especially gave me the ability to adapt to an array of situations. By playing waterpolo, competitively ski racing, and playing softball I was able to push my limits in the very different types of movement that went into each one.
Not only did I challenge myself physically but I challenged myself mentally as well.
Sports taught me more about other people than anything else in my life has. They also taught me about myself. Sports made me make big decisions that continue to impact my life to this day. They allowed me to push my own boundaries and develop good work ethic by reflecting the work I put in on the field or hill.
Sports have taught me to be confident in my abilities and to acknowledge my achievements. So often I would find the lack in what I was doing or had done and didn’t see the what I had actually achieved or effort I had put in. I have learned to be proud of what I do and who I am.
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Addison, I’m so glad to hear that you have the confidence to be proud of your accomplishments and who you have become. Having the ability to recognize those achievements in your life is a huge quality to have and I hope to grow in that part of my life like you have!
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Being in a sport has kept me focused and have brought me some of my greatest friends in my life. It has taught me so many lessons that will help me in the world and any sport can help you develop as a person. It shows you how to be mentally tough when the odds are against you and builds up your confidence. Being in a sport shows you how to keep going when things get tough because usually that is the only choice y have. Without the sport I love I don’t know where I would be.
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Sports definitely helped shape who I am today. I have had to go out of my comfort zone. Sports also gave me the opportunity to build friendships and bonds with my teammates. Playing a sport helps you grow physically, mentally and emotionally.
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You’re right. Playing sports is essentially a foundation for you to grow and can be monumental if played right. Learning to work as a team is something that I’ve carried with me for many years after playing sports. When you’re showing up for more than just yourself, there’s a different type of effort that naturally forms your character into something I would see as strength. I am grateful for my experiences with sports and now that you’ve got me thinking about it – I should pick that back up!
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