Life is all about perspective. By choosing to tackle each day with intention and ambition, I can face the demands of life as a Division I student-athlete who is double majoring in the Saint Louis University Honors Program and balance my extracurricular commitments, such as volunteer work and Catholic youth group, with poise and zeal. I am a neutral thinker, shifting my focus to the reality of what is instead of dwelling on things I cannot control. While life has thrown obstacles, such as illnesses, challenging assignments, and difficult decisions my way, I choose to face them with a present mindset, being grounded and confident in myself and my work.
As a softball athlete in a sport defined by failure, my mindset is a key determinant of my success. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from softball is to focus on one pitch at a time. I cannot control what has happened nor what will happen, so negative thoughts about either of these time periods lead only to unnecessary regret and anxiety. This perspective transfers over into my career goals as an aspiring executive in the male-dominated professional sports industry. For example, while working as a retail sales intern and territory manager over the past summer, I managed 8 store locations and 35 operators, most of whom were more than 20 years my senior, working 650 miles from my hometown. By centering myself on what I could control, I led the region to improved sales and proved to myself that, while adversity is sure to come my way, I know that my present-oriented mindset can carry me through even the most daunting of challenges.