She is arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Thirty-nine Grand Slam titles (23 singles titles, 14 doubles titles, and two mixed doubles titles), four Olympic gold medals, and over $94.5 million in career prize money — more than any other female athlete.
To top it off: she won the Australian Open in 2017 while two months pregnant.
Now that she’s retiring, I find myself reflecting on Serena Williams’ career, the factors that influenced her decision to leave professional tennis, and the challenges of pursuing a more balanced life.
Having to Choose Between Career and Family
Over the years, I’ve followed the careers of many professional athletes.
When male athletes choose to retire, it’s often because their bodies can no longer handle the daily grind of their chosen sport. Rarely is it because they want to spend more time with family.
And I’ve never heard of a man leaving his career so that he could have more kids.
Generally speaking, men don’t have to sacrifice their careers for parenthood as often as women do. As Serena writes,
“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family….But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”
Balanced Living Requires Tough Choices
In thinking about Williams’ situation, I’m reminded of the reality that many people face when trying to live a more balanced life.
Williams is fortunate to have had such a lucrative career. Her financial situation is going to ease any transition she chooses to make.
But many others aren’t so lucky. For example, parents who work extra hours every week so they can afford rent and food while sacrificing time with their children.
Or, conversely, the parent who is struggling financially but has to turn down extra work so they can rush home and help their child with homework.
Everyone faces challenges when trying to improve and balance their life. And sometimes, not everyone will agree with your decisions.
But when you make a choice that resonates with you – a choice that you believe is the best for you at this time – it can have a tremendous positive impact on all the other areas of your life.
Summary
It’s never easy to make difficult choices – especially when choosing between career and family, as many people often have to do.
But if you are clear about what’s important to you at this moment in your life, then the decision you make, as hard as it may be in the moment, will likely bring you a greater piece of mind down the road.
And if you think you’ve made the wrong decision, you’ll have an opportunity to correct it. You, and those around you, are more resilient than you think.
Richard
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