You Can’t Make the Shots You Don’t Take

By Christine Murray

This spring, I found myself on the sidelines of soccer fields quite often, cheering for my sons and their teams in their rec league games. 

I’ll confess I used to think soccer was a boring sport to watch since it’s typically quite low-scoring. However, as I’ve learned more and gotten more into soccer, I’ve come to love it, and I’ve already realized it is exciting in part because scores can come few and far between. 

Throughout this past spring season, one thing that stood out to me a lot was how many moments there were when a player, seemingly in a difficult position to score, would hear a chorus of "Shoot! Shot! Go for the goal!" from coaches, fans, and teammates. From my vantage point on the sidelines, shooting from far away, or from a bad angle, or with a swarm of defenders around the player with the ball seemed like a risky, unwise move. Why shoot if there’s very little chance of the ball going in?

At some point during the season, the Wayne Gretzy quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” came to mind. And I realized that I was seeing this quote play out in action on the rec league soccer field. In life and in sports, you really can’t make the shots you don’t take. Sometimes, it’s best to take the shot and see what happens, even if success feels like a long shot.

This idea resonated deeply, especially as I reflected on my focus with building Start Here Counseling & Consulting around supporting people and organizations navigate new changes in life and in their organizations. 

When we’re starting something new, we often strive for the perfect setup, waiting until we feel likely we’re in position for guaranteed success. And yet, we can learn something from taking seemingly-risky shots on the sports field: Sometimes, we just need to go for it, even when things don’t feel like they’re lined up perfectly. 

Sometimes, long shots surprise us and find the goal. And, waiting for a perfect moment may mean waiting indefinitely, missing out on potential successes along the way.

Adopting a go-for-it mindset can fuel our journey when starting something new. Players and teams who hold back, waiting for ideal conditions, often find themselves lagging behind. The truth is, circumstances may not ever line up perfectly, and waiting for guaranteed success can lead to missed opportunities.

I encourage you to consider the “shots” you might be holding back on taking toward your goals or other changes you’d like to see in your life. Embracing an approach to taking shots before all the conditions are perfect not only opens the door to potential success, but it also builds our resilience in facing disappointments. Just as soccer players learn to brush off missed goals and keep playing, we too can learn to navigate setbacks without losing sight of our goals.

Finally, the game of soccer also reminds us of the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive individuals who cheer for your attempts, not just your outcomes. Whether it's joining a supportive community, leaning on close friends and family, or seeking guidance from professionals, having the right support can make all the difference as we move toward positive changes in our lives.

Throughout this coming week, I encourage you to consider taking a shot at something you've been contemplating, even if it feels like a small step forward and you don’t feel totally ready. Embrace the journey, celebrate the attempts, and practice self-compassion regardless of the outcomes. Here's to taking the shots that lead us closer to our goals and dreams!