Selena Wilkes

Think of it as driving a car. The rear view mirror is a tool to look back—but only for a very brief period of time. Being successful as an athlete, leader or business owner requires forward-thinking strategies. 

In this world of imperfections and fickleness, grit refers to the firmness of character. It’s the determination and relentless raw desire that makes one strive with resilience and integrity.

In 1992, I received the True Grit Award at my High School. Little did they know that as a hearing impaired student, star athlete, and college-bound teenager, it truly was that grit and determination that kept me on the court, field and golf course, in spite of being bullied and resented by some of my fellow classmates. I had to become my own Champion, and guess what? I later realized just how blessed I was, because the fact is that we ALL need to learn how to be our own champions! 

Everyone has dreams, but not everyone pursues those dreams. Why not?

So many people are afraid to fail so they simply never start. 

I was once told that entrepreneurs are the architects of society. They are the builders of…

hope.
dreams.
relationships.

And yes, businesses. 

I love to inspire and empower others to use some of the  strategies that I have used to leap into the life that I always wanted to have. I invite others discover, uncover and discard some of the fears that may be preventing them from achieving their goals.

To be a great athlete, you have to believe in yourself. Negative self-talk will defeat you before your competitor ever joins you on the field, court, golf course, or in business. 

It is important to listen to what we tell ourselves. Is what we’re telling ourselves the truth?

“I can’t because…”
“I will never be able to…”
“But I never…”

What if? 

What if we stopped playing the negative tape in our heads and began listening with our hearts? A heart that says…

“I am good enough.”

“Women are just as valuable as men.”

“I deserve better.”

“I want to—and can—live my dreams.”

Release your self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk and tap into that which can empower you more than anyone or anything: YOURSELF.

Someone once asked, “What’s the difference between a bunt and a home run?”

The answer is follow-through.

Procrastination is a funny little thing. The more we do it, the better we get at it. 😉

Let’s talk about what can move us forward. Just because we get stuck sometimes, it doesn’t mean we have to stay stuck.

I could read my coaches’ lips from across the court. They loved that! However, I could also read the lips of my teammates. What they said about me was not always nice. As a matter of fact, some comments were terribly hurtful. 

Today, they would call it being bullied. And just like a divot on the golf course can do damage if it isn’t addressed right away, so can words—long after they are spoken.

Delayed Hits: Divots can and do cause damage.

But here is the really good news: You will find holiness in the healing.   

If you’ve read the title above, you already know what is coming (wink, wink).

There truly is holiness in the healing of whatever it is that you may still be carrying around that causes you pain or hurt.

In my speeches, I talk about faith and forgiveness in the context of letting go and letting God carry anything that may still be hiding in my backpack or when something or someone rips the band-aid off, causing me to bleed once again.

Let’s heal together.