Hope Solo: 3 Ways to Win Despite Mistakes

ONE
Do Not Deny Your Mistakes
Hope Solo has been reinstated to the U.S. women's soccer team after serving a 30-day suspension.  Solo's most recent mistake has given her the opportunity to learn a few valuable lessons.  Solo was with her husband, Jerramy Stevens, when he was arrested for driving under the influence.  The van that Stevens was operating was rented by U.S. Soccer.  When it rains, it pours for Solo who just had her domestic violence case dismissed seven days before the incident.  If Solo can pull herself together, she can provide a success story to emulate.  Reports indicate that Solo was nearly arrested herself.  She was involved in an altercation with the police because she did not agree with their actions. Solo could have attempted to publicly defend her actions and let the public know that she disagreed with the suspension.  Instead of denying her mistake, Solo issued an apology.

Treat your most recent mistake like your best lesson learned.  Life does not come with instructions therefore mistakes will be made, allow them to teach you as opposed to dwelling on them. Many of us get consumed in denying our mistakes when we can spend half the time and effort learning from them.  Good people make bad choices.  This does not mean that they are bad, it means that they are human.  If you spend your life denying the fact that you make mistakes, you will end up denying yourself a life.



TWO
Passion
Hope Solo was benched in the semifinals of the 2007 World Cup.  She was very disappointed and disagreed with her coach's decision.  Afterward, Solo spoke her mind to a reporter stating: "Starting Scurry was the wrong decision.  And I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves."  Solo's comments were selfish and implied that she did not trust her teammates.  Her teammates told her that she was tearing down what Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm and Lil had created.  Solo cried the entire nigh.  Her teammates did not allow her to play in the third-place game and did not even allow her to attend the game.  The next year, Solo helped the U.S. win the gold medal.  They defeated Brazil thanks to Solo's performance as she stopped an energetic Brazil attack, making numerous saves.



Passion can move a person beyond their failures and shortcomings.  They say when you light yourself on fire with passion, people will come from miles to watch you burn.  If you are lucky enough to get a second chance do not waste it.  Solo hurt her teammate by making harsh comments.  Do not take advantage of people, take advantage of your time and opportunities.


THREE
Inspiration: Your Why

Solo’s father, Jeffrey, taught her how to play soccer when she was five years old.  He was homeless divorcing Hope’s mother.  Jeffrey Solo lived on the streets of Seattle and would often spend nights in a tent in the woods outside the city. During this time, he wrote Hope numerous letters to stay in touch.  Hope states, “In those years, he’d write me long, long letters every single week.  I have a deep, deep love for my dad, even when he wasn’t around.”  In 2001, Richard Solo was named a “person of interest” in the murder of a realtor.  In 2007, Richard Solo died from heart failure.  He was never able to prove his innocence.  So, Solo took it upon herself to clear his name.  “It took about 10 years for his name to be cleared and he wasn’t around for his name to finally be cleared. I just wish he could have lived in peace his last years. That’s all I wished for,” she said.  Solo’s father had never seen his daughter play for Team USA. He planned to attend a game in 2007, but he pass away about a week before.

Hope Solo's inspiration is her father.  Why do you do what you do? In order to get the most out of your life you have to identify you 'why'.  A reason to wake up every morning.  Something that motivates you to work through your pain.  Your why makes you try again after you have failed.  Everyone who is successful has a why.  When you feel drained by external factors, remind yourself how much you love your why.