More than Magic by David Taylor

Setting goals early continues to drive me forward!

I started my wrestling career at age five in the Red Devil Wrestling Club in Evanston, Wyom. After a few years of wrestling, I fell in love with the sport. I was a little kid with big dreams. When I was eight, my dad asked me to write my goals down on a piece of paper and think about them every day. I vividly remember writing I wanted to be a four-time state champion, a four-time national champion and an Olympic champion in 2016.

As an eight-year-old, my thought process was that by accomplishing my high school goals of becoming a four-time state champion, I would earn a scholarship to wrestle in college. Once in college, I would redshirt my freshman year in order to prepare myself mentally and physically to win a national championship as a freshman to keep my goal a reality. After graduating in 2014, I would have two years to train myself mentally and physically to accomplish my final goal of becoming an Olympic champion in 2016.
Some would question the validity of this mindset of an eight-year-old kid. However, I have always set goals for myself. I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when I am able to cross something off my list. The goal may be as elaborate and long term as winning an Olympic title 18 years down the road. It may be to shake hands with my opponent and beat him by eight points or more or as simple as leaving practice knowing I got one percent better.

It does not matter how big or small the goal may be, it is important to have something to work towards everyday.

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