My first camp of the summer starts Thursday. My season ended on a real down note (that's a whole other story), I seriously considered retiring until my wife talked me out of it. I have reffed a total of three games since the regular bball season ended.

Anyway, camp starts in two days and I am just not that excited. Normally, by this point I would hardly be able to concentrate on work for the next day and a half, but not now. A supervisor for a major D1 league will be in attendance and I think I have a chance to get hired, but I am worried that my attitude (at present) will hurt my chances. I still enjoy being on the court and I still believe I have a chance to impove and go up the ladder...I am just in a rut right now.

Any advice?

Yeah. As Cher said to Nicholas Cage, "Snap out of it!" Dude, if you can't get stoked about possibly getting hired by a D1 conference, then it really is time to hang it up.

Forget the past. It's done. Focus on the D1 supervisor. If you focus on that, and still are not interested in the camp, I'd say don't go. You won't get anything out of it.

Having said that. . . you're going, aren't you? Come on, admit it, you want the D1 game. It's ok. Go get it. Good luck ;)

Go for the sake of your wife. It sounds like she wants to get you out of the house. :-)

Z

Would watching game tapes help? Rread back through journal entries? Replay in your mind some great successes? Is there a JV game you could pick up between now and then?

These are good ideas. However, I also agree that if you are still not stoked about the camp after doing these you should think about staying home.

I can kinda relate. I just started a new job and will, for at least the coming year, only be available on weekends. Couple that with the fact that the chapter has an entirely new crew assigning games and I figure any hope of varsity games are gone. I know the lower levels need officials and I still enjoy being on the floor. However, the thought of having little or no chance of getting a schedule as good as last years is making me think about calling it quits.

It would not be a great loss to the game if I leave, but if you have a chance of going to D1, your hanging it up would be a different matter.

Hope you get the spark back.

Looking elsewhere for this kind of motivation is not the way to go here. We can draw inspiration and motivation from others, but ultimately it is ourselves that will determine the final course.

I know I would be excited about a chance to shine in front of a Div I. evaluator, but if you need a break, take it. If you can't motivate yourself, there is no point in going.

Only you know if you can be motivated enough for this or not, only you know if it's worth it to go.

The point about your wife getting you out of the house is a good point, though. :D

90% of success is just showing up
 

So many times in my life I get into the blues, don't want to do something that I should do, and am tempted to just blow it off. However, more often than not, when I just buck it up and go do the thing that I'm thinking about blowing off, I get into the spirit of it and end up having a really positive experience.

My advice, go to the camp. Get in and start working. I would be very surprised if you didn't find the desire returning once you get moving.

You can always leave early if it just isn't working for you.

Just do it!

BTW, is there any good Italian up there? :)

Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

I have been to an Italian place up there that is pretty good. Can't remember the name...

What time are you showing up? I'll probably roll in about 10am.

To everyone else:

Thanks for the input. I'm not totally unmotivated, it is just markedly different than years past. I miss the excitement. Canuckrefguy is totally right; it has to come from within, but I am looking for a way to light the fire. Maybe just getting around the guys (and gals) and being in the gym will be enough. I still like being in the gym.

My wife looks for any excuse to get me out of her way...:D

Stripes:

Often, the hardest part is breaking the inertia of uncertainty and de-motivation. Often, once you get moving, it gets easier. My guess here is that once you get to camp the energy and excitement will return.

Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

Yeah - Juulie told me his name is Guido.

NYORK! NYORK! NYORK! :p

Re: Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

Mark -- Find your meds before tomorrow!

Re: Re: Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

Then we won't have any fun at all!

For some motivation, I'd probably try ESPN classic - there's little I love more than a good tight game with really good officials - other than the possibility that it could some day be me.

Re: Re: Re: Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

That depends if what the medication is!! It could be a "little blue pill".

Re: Re: 90% of success is just showing up
 

I'm about 2.5 hours away, so 10ish is looking very attractive.