Chapter 6 Lesson 4: Balancing School, Sports, and Home Life

BELL ACTIVITY Draw a simple chart that shows the relative time and energy you feel you put into each of the three aspects of your life: Draw a simple chart that shows the relative time and energy you feel you put into each of the three aspects of your life: School School Sports Sports Home life Home life

Deciding What Matters to You p. 166 Sports may be a large part of your life right now. Winning a game and being part of a team can make you feel great. However, you are also a student and a family member. Sports may be a large part of your life right now. Winning a game and being part of a team can make you feel great. However, you are also a student and a family member. Sometimes you may find it difficult to balance sports activities with your other interests and responsibilities. Sometimes you may find it difficult to balance sports activities with your other interests and responsibilities.

Balancing… p. 166 Balancing your roles does not necessarily mean giving them equal importance. Balancing your roles does not necessarily mean giving them equal importance. Although each is significant, one area or another may take a leading role at a particular point in your life. Although each is significant, one area or another may take a leading role at a particular point in your life. It’s always a good idea to be aware of how your commitment to sports is affecting your schoolwork and family life. It’s always a good idea to be aware of how your commitment to sports is affecting your schoolwork and family life.

Did you know? Sports have been a part of human life for a very long time. In fact, the oldest sport in the world may be bowling. A bowling ball made of stone was found, along with bowling pins, in the tomb of an Egyptian mummy. The tomb was built about 7,000 years ago. Sports have been a part of human life for a very long time. In fact, the oldest sport in the world may be bowling. A bowling ball made of stone was found, along with bowling pins, in the tomb of an Egyptian mummy. The tomb was built about 7,000 years ago.

Using the Decision Making Process p. 167 Figure 6.7 Figure 6.7 State the situation State the situation List the options List the options Weigh the possible outcomes Weigh the possible outcomes Consider your values Consider your values Make a decision and act Make a decision and act Evaluate the decision Evaluate the decision

Warning Signs p. 167 One of the purposes of the decision-making process is to help you guard against overcommitment. One of the purposes of the decision-making process is to help you guard against overcommitment. Overcommitment is obligating yourself to more people or projects than you have time or energy to follow through on. Overcommitment is obligating yourself to more people or projects than you have time or energy to follow through on. Can cause you to feel tired and irritable. Can cause you to feel tired and irritable. You may also feel guilty if you believe you are letting others down. You may also feel guilty if you believe you are letting others down.

Burnout Overcommitment can lead to burnout. Overcommitment can lead to burnout. Burnout – a sense of exhaustion caused by exerting too much energy for too long a time. Burnout – a sense of exhaustion caused by exerting too much energy for too long a time. Can be physical, mental, or emotional. Can be physical, mental, or emotional.

Figure 6.8 Warning Signs of Overcommitment p. 168 You miss homework assignments or do poorly on tests because of sports practices or games. You miss homework assignments or do poorly on tests because of sports practices or games. You neglect household chores or miss family activities and gatherings. You neglect household chores or miss family activities and gatherings. You lose touch with friends who are not on your team. You lose touch with friends who are not on your team. You experience fatigue or frequent injuries caused by carelessness or by overuse of muscles. You experience fatigue or frequent injuries caused by carelessness or by overuse of muscles. You no longer enjoy the sport or lose interest in it completely. You no longer enjoy the sport or lose interest in it completely.

Skills for Balancing Your Life If you feel that you need to work on balancing your life, try talking with family members, teachers, or friends. Sometimes someone else can see a solution that you might never consider. If you feel that you need to work on balancing your life, try talking with family members, teachers, or friends. Sometimes someone else can see a solution that you might never consider. If you want to play several sports, choose sports with seasons that don’t overlap. If you want to play several sports, choose sports with seasons that don’t overlap. Eliminate one sport, but continue others. Consider staying with a sport that you might enjoy for a lifetime. Eliminate one sport, but continue others. Consider staying with a sport that you might enjoy for a lifetime. Look for a different team or league – one that might require less energy and time. Look for a different team or league – one that might require less energy and time. Play only one season each year in a sport. For example, play soccer in the fall but not in the spring. Play only one season each year in a sport. For example, play soccer in the fall but not in the spring. Balance the sports you play by using cross-training techniques. Select those that complement one another in terms of fitness benefits and skill development. Balance the sports you play by using cross-training techniques. Select those that complement one another in terms of fitness benefits and skill development.

Closing 1. Explain. How can the decision-making process help you make choices about balancing your life? 1. Explain. How can the decision-making process help you make choices about balancing your life? 2. Vocabulary. What is overcommitment? 2. Vocabulary. What is overcommitment? 3. List. Identify 4 warning signs of overcommitment. 3. List. Identify 4 warning signs of overcommitment. 4. Distinguish. What is the difference between dedication to excellence in a sport and overcommitment? 4. Distinguish. What is the difference between dedication to excellence in a sport and overcommitment?