Tennis is a process. Every day isn’t a sun shining day. There will always be a time where you need to embrace the grind, win or lose. No one wakes up every single day motivated to do his or her craft. No one is a machine. The ability to be physically and mentally aware can be a grind at times. How does the grind make you feel?

Before we get into how the grind makes us feel, let's start off with the definition. What is the grind? What does grinding mean to you? To grind means to embrace the tough fight no matter how you feel that day. Every drop of sweat, tears, or pressure is all worth it in the end and you must push through no matter what. No discomfort can alter the end goal.

The end goal is whatever you deem to be the success in your field of work.  Grinding makes me feel tired, yet prepared. Knowing that I am falling in love with hard work makes me equipped for any battle. All the physical and mental training is all worth it. I have to train my spirit to do what my body doesn’t want to do. If I don’t have a practice partner, I find a wall. If I don’t have a physical trainer, I find a gym or park to exercise. If I don’t have a nutritionist, I make my own meal plan. No one can make me want this dream. I have to want this for myself. People can see the dream for me, but if I don’t see it for myself, it’s useless. Motivate you first. If you have the passion, take action.

You can plan out your goals, but you can't plan out how much energy you're putting into the end goal. Choose to work hard every day. Put on your blinders and make working hard a habit let it come naturally. Never give up! Fight till the end! Remember the difficult times are for a reason. God saw fit that you take on the job. You are strong, courageous, and gifted.  Endure the grind because soon you will become a master at it.

When others ask you how is it going, say just grinding with confidence in knowing that the term is uplifting, motivating and inspiring a peer.