Life - Don't Judge Yourself After Round One

Football is my thing. Yet, just when I thought I have seen it all, the game sprouts out twists and counter-plots; scripts that defies any sound permutations I held. Few, and I mean few in honest terms, expected Ajax to stand a chance over Real Madrid after the first leg in the UEFA Champions League. Same can also be said of Manchester United after their pathetic first leg showing against the French champions, PSG. The same is also true of the chances of Juventus after slumping to a two-goal defeat against Atletico Madrid who is considered to have the best defence in Europe. Atletico's motivation was also fuelled by the prospect of contesting the final at their home stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano. In all of the foregoing three instances, the odds were defied, form books were torned to shreads and the teams with the bigger 'cojones' on the day, won.

In life, it is easy to reach conclusions after a string of events. A series of bad occurrences stemming from poor choices might have left you in the lurch. You might have even looked at the first leg of your life and concluded that there is only how far you can go, but these are some of the little lies we tell ourselves. As Youtuber Gary Vee will say 'You are still as young as f**k irrespective of your age.' Never believe the suggestion that you are too old to go back to school, too old to change your career path, too old to follow your true passion, too old to find love, too old to chase that business or even too old to run that marathon.

The first half of your life should never be the final arbiter in the scheme of things. In football, it is certainly great to start the match with an early goal or a couple of goals. It makes the game easier and put you in the early lead, but if I have ever learnt anything in all my years as a football acolyte, it is that you can never judge a game by the first half. The result as at full time is all that is important. I have seen too many football games with great comebacks, and all three games I'd highlighted earlier are glaring instances that you can never reach hasty conclusions till the game is over. This is also true with Life. There are always rooms for comebacks. The first barrier to break however, is that mental model in your head that gives you all the reasons why 'It can't be you' and why 'you have already past it.'

At times, it is sacrosanct to remind yourself why you started anything before you throw in the towel. Your motivation for starting might be required to fan the embers of your strained courage and weak optimism. That night, when Juventus defeated Atletico Madrid, the Italian side reminded themselves of this truth. Ronaldo, who had scored three on the night said afterwards 'This was why Juventus bought me.' Never lose your 'why' for you will need it in your dark days.

And finally, you must always ride your luck. Football is a game of small but fine margins. And same can be said of life. In the game between PSG and Manchester United, PSG had the brighter chances. The winning goal came with two minutes to the end of the game via a penalty decision that still split opinions today. What is more important is that when this stroke of luck broke their way, United seized it with sheer corresponding action. Make no mistakes about it, you will get lucky breaks in life. Even on your terrible days when the rains of life come to you in torrents, there will still be silver linings, a reprieve in the cloud and some breaking lights. The big question is 'Can you see them on days like that? And are you able to ride your luck fully when they break for you?' They say life always gives us second chances, but it will count for nothing if we don't leverage these second chances when they come our way.