Business Lessons from a Volleyball Championship – Part 2

Two years ago, I wrote about the surprising business lessons I picked up from the sidelines of my daughter’s volleyball championship. Turns out, the court is still the best business classroom I never meant to enroll in.

Here’s what this year's championship reminded me about entrepreneurship mindset and the business lessons hidden in sports, and how to stop tripping over your own potential. If you’re building a business, read on. These aren’t just sports metaphors. These are mirrors.

If you missed Part 1 of this series, you can read it here.

1. Fear of Finishing Strong In Business And Sports

Some teams dominated early—only to crash in the final set. Not because they lacked skill. But because somewhere deep down… they didn’t believe they deserved to win.

Sound familiar?

In business, this shows up as procrastinating on launching that offer, raising prices, or sending the sales email. You’ve done 90% of the work, but you stall at the final 10%. Why? Because finishing makes it real. And real comes with expectations, visibility, judgment, and responsibility.

This is when you suddenly decide it’s the perfect time to alphabetize your sock drawer instead. In other words, find all the excuses why you or your product/service is just not ready, just not perfect, just not the best … yet.

If that’s you,  it’s time for a mindset shift. You’re not avoiding failure—you’re dodging your next level. Believe you’re worthy of winning and act like it. Perfection only exists in your mind. 

2. Team Vibe Check: Too Much Fun, Too Late

Some teams were clearly there for the good times. They danced through warmups, laughed through serves, and celebrated the excitement of being present at the championships … until they realized they were losing. Then it was scramble mode. Focus kicked in, but the momentum had already turned against them.

Business owners do this too. You’re designing graphics, writing affirmations, and changing font sizes on your Canva—meanwhile, your audience is ghosting and your bank account’s sweating. 

Look, you should enjoy your business. But if you’re only focused on what feels good—and ignoring what needs doing—there comes a point where even your best energy can’t bail you out.

Fun and focus aren’t opposites. They’re teammates. Know when to laugh—and when to lead.

3. Going All Out... and Off the Rails

One girl gave everything on the court—until she got tangled in the net and injured. Her passion was admirable. But passion without awareness? That’s a recipe for burnout—or breakdown.

Entrepreneurs burn themselves out the same way. You push through every red flag, skip rest, overcommit, and think burnout is just part of the job description. And when you crash? You wonder why it hurts.

Yes, business takes grit. But it also takes discernment. Know when to sprint. Know when to stretch. Know when to take a seat and rest before you pull a hamstring—or wreck your revenue stream.

4. Energy Is Everything

One day, my daughter’s team played next to the main stage where music was blasting all day. The girls were dancing, smiling, and playing their best volleyball of the tournament.

Why? Because energy is contagious. So is the environment you’re in.

Your business environment matters too. Music. Workspace. Team vibe. The systems you use. If your daily operations feel like a silent, sterile slog… It’s going to show up in your output. What’s the vibe in your business? Is it energizing or exhausting? Add music. Light a candle. Change your screen background. Move your desk. Vibe matters more than we admit. It’s the difference between thriving and just surviving your to-do list.

5. Injuries Happen. What Then?

Some players twisted ankles or jammed fingers—and we got to see who rallied, who benched themselves, and who limped through with heart.

In your business, “injuries” look like failed launches, botched client calls, tech breakdowns, and cash flow drama. They’re all part of the journey. How you respond? That’s what builds legacy.

Will you crumble? Will you push too hard and cause further damage? Or will you find a new way to play the game? Your comeback matters more than your crash. 

6. Losing—And Still Winning

One of my favorite moments was watching a team play out of their minds—and still lose. They got knocked out by a better team. But it was the best game they had ever played. And they knew it.

Sometimes in business, you lose the deal, the launch flops, or someone else lands the client you wanted. But if you played better than you ever have before, that’s not failure. That’s evolution. The moment you realize you’re not here to just beat others, you’re here to beat your past self.

Progress is the point. Not perfection.

7. Trusting Your Team: Business Lessons in Pressure Moments

The real magic happened when teams got tested under pressure.

Some teams stuck together, stayed composed, trusted the system—and each other. Others? Total chaos. Frantic individual plays, tactical desperation, and zero cohesion.

The difference? Trust.

The teams that stuck together trusted the strategy—and each other. The ones that didn’t? They defaulted to panic and individual plays, abandoning everything that had been working.

In business, the same holds true. When things get rocky, do you cling to control—or trust your team to rise?

Trusting your team to execute the strategy, even when the heat’s on, is what separates scrappy operators from scalable CEOs. If you’re always jumping in to fix, micromanage, or override… you’re playing a solo sport in a team game.

You don’t win championships by playing solo. You win when the strategy holds—and the team does too.

Final Thoughts: Play to Win—and to Learn

Here’s a recap of what the courts reminded me of: 

• Stop holding back because you're scared of success.

• Don’t dance through the data.

• Stop mistaking busywork for serious strategy.

• Start planning for setbacks.

• Start celebrating evolution, not just wins.

• Protect your energy like it's your profit margin.

• Keep playing—even when it stings.

Whether you're pitching clients or passing a serve, remember: This is a long game. And every match—win or lose—is making you sharper.

Now get off the bench and back in the game—with a plan and a purpose. What’s your next play?

If this resonated, share it with a fellow entrepreneur, or reach out to schedule a free consultation.