The Last Shot

Don't ever be too afraid to take the shot. 

Take the shot!

It is okay to feel fear, but do it anyways. Do it afraid if you have to, but do it.

When I was about 10 or 11, I had the chance to take the game winning shot. Instead of shooting, I passed and my teammate missed completely. When we got home, my dad (who was our coach) asked me why I didn't take the last shot. 

Instead of telling him the truth - that I was too afraid - I told him that I didn't know. He told me something that stuck with me. He said to always be ready to take the last shot. Its okay to be scared, but do it anyway. He said look what happened - my teammate took a terrible shot, missed, and we lost. I couldn't have done any worse than he did.

I have never been too afraid to take the final shot since that conversation. I have made some game winning shots, and I have missed some. But I am willing to take it and live with the consequences.

Take the shot. Somebody has to, so it might as well be you. Its okay to miss.

But what if you make it?