I remember a long time ago, as a teenager, when I didn't make a team and all my best friends did. I was heartbroken, but in short time, I moved on and got involved in other activities.
Life is full of "teams" and we clearly make some and don't make others. And, when you don't make the team, it is important not to take it too seriously--we may not make a team, get a particular job, earn a spot at an educational program, get invited to party or buy a house in a particular neighborhood for many, many reasons. There are lots of teams and lots of reasons why we belong or not.
Readiness, skill, talent, contribution--our own efforts and abilities
Whenever we don't make a team, we first have to consider our own efforts and abilities? Did we try hard enough? Did we read the fine print? Are we ready? Do we have the skill or talent? Did we earn a place on this team? Many make teams because they do exhibit the readiness, skill, talent, and contribution that earns them a spot on the team, at the workplace, or with that honor. We can't deny that, and when we don't get what we want, we have to first consider what part of that result belongs to our effort and abilities. Then, if we still want a place on that team, we can work to strengthen or remedy anything that is standing in our way.
Talent
There are some teams that we are simply not talented enough for, and no matter how hard we try, we will still not make those teams. A lack of the kind of talent the team is looking for may be a legitimate reason why we don't or won't make a team.
Politics and bias
Politics and bias play a role in almost every team selection. Often, you don't get a place on a team because you don't know the right people. You also may not get a position because of your age, looks, agility, skin shade, gender, religion, lifestyle, or geography. While that is mostly not legal, it still exists. Sadly, that's the way it is, and luckily this doesn't happen everywhere.
Ambition
Sometimes you don't make a team because of someone else's ambition--what they want and where they want to go doesn't include you for all kinds of possible reasons. It truly has little to do with your qualifications or ability to do the job, but instead has a lot to do with the fact that someone else will prop up the choosers' ambitions more.
Serendipity and Circumstance
Sometimes you may be overlooked for a team simply because of no reason at all--you were overlooked. Maybe there were a lot of resumes for that job. Perhaps your application was never processed correctly, or your letter was read on a bad day. Anything can happen, and sometimes the fact that you don't make the team has little to do with anything but serendipity or circumstance.
In the end, you'll generally win some, lose some. Sometimes you'll make a team and sometimes you won't. You'll elevate your chances of belonging to one or more teams by trying out many opportunities and not obsessing on the ones you don't make. It's a big world out there with lots of teams. If you give it good effort, you'll definitely find the places that bring your meaning, pride, and success. Onward.
Life is full of "teams" and we clearly make some and don't make others. And, when you don't make the team, it is important not to take it too seriously--we may not make a team, get a particular job, earn a spot at an educational program, get invited to party or buy a house in a particular neighborhood for many, many reasons. There are lots of teams and lots of reasons why we belong or not.
Readiness, skill, talent, contribution--our own efforts and abilities
Whenever we don't make a team, we first have to consider our own efforts and abilities? Did we try hard enough? Did we read the fine print? Are we ready? Do we have the skill or talent? Did we earn a place on this team? Many make teams because they do exhibit the readiness, skill, talent, and contribution that earns them a spot on the team, at the workplace, or with that honor. We can't deny that, and when we don't get what we want, we have to first consider what part of that result belongs to our effort and abilities. Then, if we still want a place on that team, we can work to strengthen or remedy anything that is standing in our way.
Talent
There are some teams that we are simply not talented enough for, and no matter how hard we try, we will still not make those teams. A lack of the kind of talent the team is looking for may be a legitimate reason why we don't or won't make a team.
Politics and bias
Politics and bias play a role in almost every team selection. Often, you don't get a place on a team because you don't know the right people. You also may not get a position because of your age, looks, agility, skin shade, gender, religion, lifestyle, or geography. While that is mostly not legal, it still exists. Sadly, that's the way it is, and luckily this doesn't happen everywhere.
Ambition
Sometimes you don't make a team because of someone else's ambition--what they want and where they want to go doesn't include you for all kinds of possible reasons. It truly has little to do with your qualifications or ability to do the job, but instead has a lot to do with the fact that someone else will prop up the choosers' ambitions more.
Serendipity and Circumstance
Sometimes you may be overlooked for a team simply because of no reason at all--you were overlooked. Maybe there were a lot of resumes for that job. Perhaps your application was never processed correctly, or your letter was read on a bad day. Anything can happen, and sometimes the fact that you don't make the team has little to do with anything but serendipity or circumstance.
In the end, you'll generally win some, lose some. Sometimes you'll make a team and sometimes you won't. You'll elevate your chances of belonging to one or more teams by trying out many opportunities and not obsessing on the ones you don't make. It's a big world out there with lots of teams. If you give it good effort, you'll definitely find the places that bring your meaning, pride, and success. Onward.