SPORTS October 31, 2005 Issue

NAILING THOSE ROUTINES

ALICE HOWELL

FROM JUNIOR HIGH through college, I was active in many sports including swimming, track, gymnastics, dance, and college "flag" football. With each of these activities, I developed new skills, grew in discipline, overcame fear, and went beyond perceived limits—all while doing coursework as well as numerous other extracurricular activities.

More recently, sports have not played as large a part in my life. The demands of a fulfilling career have taken up most of my time. And yet I've been able to apply many of the lessons I learned as an athlete to the opportunities and challenges I've faced as an adult in the business world. Two lessons stand out:

1) Glorifying God brings energy and balance. Most days during high school, I went from a full school day to a two-hour gymnastics workout, to an evening ballet class, getting home late and having to face several hours of homework. My schedule was just as full at college.