A role model isn't defined by their accomplishments, but by their consistency of manner. To be a role model, one can’t exhibit good sportsmanship occasionally; it must be constant and expected. What separates the steady from the scattered, the measured from the reactive, in tennis and life, is often as simple as a well-crafted daily routine. 
The way you start your mornings, whether it be centering yourself, creating intent for the day, or strengthening your conscious contact with a power greater than yourself, prepares you for the rigors of training and competition, forming the quiet architecture of your emotional intelligence. Through these routines, you signal to yourself and those observing you that daily work on my emotional discipline is just as important as my training discipline and is non-negotiable.

In my younger life, I learned the hard way that practicing these habits was not a burden at all, but actually quite liberating. When chaos ruled my inner world, I lacked the small, stabilizing habits that could’ve grounded me through my struggles. Routines give shape to the day and act as cooling rods for what can be a volatile, reactive experience. These habits protect us from reacting adversely to the volatility of mood, fatigue, and pressure. They teach patience, which isn’t always fun but necessary, for the tennis journey is a haul where growth isn’t measured in sudden breakthroughs but in the accumulation of steady, mindful small-step progress.

For the competitive tennis player, routines build credibility. Teammates, coaches, partners, and peers take note of how you prepare, recover from losses, and treat others when the match isn’t going your way. The emotional steadiness forged in daily rituals—breathing, journaling, meditating, gratitude, and reflection—becomes the bedrock of your character. When you practice composure daily, you model it naturally, even within the pressure cooker that is competitive tennis.

Ultimately, being a role model means showing others what it looks like to walk the walk even when it’s the last thing you’re feeling. Daily routines aren’t glamorous, but they are sacred. They are the steady proof that discipline, mindfulness, and heart, done day after day, will be your northern stars through the often unforgiving arduous tennis journey, from your first ball to your last.

5 Action Steps for Using Daily Routines to Become a Role Model

• Consistency Over Perfection – Commit to showing up daily, even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing. Role models aren’t flawless, but they are reliable.

• Model Emotional Balance. To stay grounded and centered before and after matches, Use breathwork, journaling, or meditation.

• Reflect Publicly, Practice Privately – Share lessons learned from both wins and losses; using humility throughout your battles inspires more than victory alone. Start a player’s blog. Share what works, more importantly, share what doesn’t work

• Anchor to Core Values – Let gratitude, respect, and discipline guide your daily rituals. Others will feel it. Our work here at FBTL is a program of attraction and not promotion.

• Lead by Example – Your habits are contagious. Show younger players that excellence starts with small, repeatable daily actions.