How to have a memorable and productive summer ☀️

We have all had too many days in summer waisted away because of netflix or sleeping in or just being lazy. Trust me, I love those days probably more than most, but I still want to make memories this summer and get a lot done. Here are some ideas on how to spend your summer doing the best things possible.

1) Get a job-
This one is no doubt the least fun step for a great summer. I've never had a real job, but this summer I'm forcing myself to get one. Because I'm fifteen and will have hopefully get my license in about 6 months, I would like to have a car on my 16th birthday. Sadly, I'm not going to get a porche handed to me by my daddy, but I will be working to pay for my car. Getting a job and being able to buy something you want will make you feel like you actually accomplished something this summer. Money is an amazing thing, and I know I spend a lot of it over the summer, so get a job to allow you to buy what you want!

2) Find a sport/hobby- 
Last summer, I spent my Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Saturday's playing beach volleyball with one of my best friends. I will never forget those practices and tournaments because of all I learned. I had so much fun on the court, and I was able to take the skills learned there and apply them while at my high school volleyball tryouts. Find the thing you love, because the summer is the perfect time to practice and learn more about that sport or hobby. I've had so much fun over the years playing with my friends, Alexis and Bryn, we really bonded from that experience.

These pictures are from playing beach (or sometimes grass) volleyball over the past two years. 

3) Be with who you want to be with- I'm sure we all know those people we "have"to hang out with, but you're summer will be so much better if you're with those that you actually like. Surround yourself with good people that make you happy, and you always have a good time. Also, make some time for your family. My sister is graduating so it's my last summer with her; I'm going to make sure I spend as much time as possible with her. With school out, the last thing you want is to go through stupid drama in the summer, so ditch the drama and be with those you love
4) Camp- I'm lucky to live in Park City with the Uinta Mountians camp grounds only 30 minutes away. Camping doesn't have to be a huge production with a trailer, go camp in your car, a tent, or even under the stars. It's something new and exciting and will for sure make great memories.
5) Staycation with friends- Go out and explore your area with you friends. Go to the nearest city and shop, drive to a lake and swim, go for a hike or really anything that you normally wouldn't think of doing. It's really fun to see your city as if you were a tourist and not a local. Maybe you could even convince your parents to let you spend the night in a hotel with a nice pool, that's always a good time.

One of my favorite memories from last summer
 was having a picnic with my sister Sierra at the Jordanelle. 

The Mental Aspect of Sports

I've been playing different sports my entire life: Gymnastics, Dance, Soccer, Tennis and mainly volleyball. There's not many things that those sport have in common, but they all need a positive mental game. I really figured out that this is important this year in high school volleyball. Being team captain on the Freshman team, and one of two freshman on the Junior Varsity team, I had to have a positive attitude. I had to stay positive and bring my team up even when the score was 2-20.

Something particular about being positive is keep in your mind what you want to do, no negative words. In soccer don't think to yourself, "Don't miss, don't miss," but "Goal." While serving in a game of volleyball, every single time I think "Ace" and never anything with negative words, because that is what your mind will be focusing on, causing you to mess up.

Another thing while playing a sport is to forget about your mistakes. Plenty of times I focus on what I did to mess up and I can't stop focusing on that, then your attitude goes down and you typically will bring your team down with you

Surrounding yourself with people you love for teammates makes all of the difference. I wouldn't be where I am with my wonderful teammates that I love so much. I don't think I would even still be involved in volleyball without my wonderful team. 

Obviously the physical ability is important too. In volleyball, you always need to be in your ready position, down low and ready for anything. This applies to many sports other than volleyball, you can always be ready. When you are low and focused it sets your mind and body to get ready for the game. 

Last, always be prepared. Jerseys, shoes, food and everything should always be prepared because if you're worried about those things, part of your mind will be focused on the things you need or what's going on after the game.

The biggest tip I have is stay focused, keep your eyes on the ball, and as Troy Boltin says, keep your head in the game.

Huddle with the JV team.

Warming up before my first high school home game on JV

With JV team waiting for the serve to come over.