I was afraid of the ball
The first day of tennis camp.
I was nine. And I couldn’t make contact to save my life.
The pro brought me to the net and very gently started tossing balls at my racquet face.
I got over the fear. I learned I was hitting a shot that had a name: forehand volley.
By the end of that week, I could hit a forehand.
By the end of the following year’s full summer, I could hit groundstrokes, volleys and lobs. It would be three more summers before I got a serve in.
I didn’t make my high-school team. I’ve never been in a tournament.
I have played on teams as an adult, and I love the discipline. I love the game.
My tennis story isn’t about trophies and glory.
It’s about setting small goals and reaching them. And setting some more, and reaching those.
Which is also a pretty good way to grow a business.
Especially a tennis business.