You’re not failing. You’re just measuring wrong.
Every week, I hear it:
- “My kid should be further along by now”
- “Everyone else seems to be passing us”
- “We’re not seeing enough results”
But here’s the truth:
The way to measure the distance is from where you are to where you started, not the horizon.
The horizon keeps moving.
The goal keeps growing.
The competition keeps improving.
If you’re constantly comparing your kid’s journey to some distant, ever-changing idea of where they “should be”
You’ll always feel behind.
You’ll always feel inadequate.
And worst of all, your kid will start to feel it too.
Instead, Do This:
- Look at how far they’ve come, not how far there is to go.
- Compare them to who they were six months ago, not who they’re wrestling this weekend.
- Celebrate the growth: mentally, physically, emotionally.
Did they overcome a fear?
Did they handle a tough loss better than last time?
Did they improve a skill, even slightly?
That’s the real scoreboard.
Why This Matters:
When you measure backwards, from your starting point, you see progress.
When you measure forward, toward the horizon, you see pressure.
One fuels confidence and connection.
The other creates tension and burnout.
Let me say it plainly:
If you only chase medals and forget the moments, you’ll ruin the relationship.
You’ll lose your kid long before they ever lose a match.
This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about progression.
It’s not about being the best right now.
It’s about being better than yesterday.
And I’m here to show you how to actually measure what matters, in wrestling and parenting.
Ready to stop second-guessing and start guiding your wrestler the right way?
Go to wrestlingparent.com and get into the Wrestling Parent Masterclass.
This is where we stop chasing the horizon and start building the kind of progress that lasts a lifetime.
Be The Best… always! (on and off the mat)
Georgi I. Ivanov
Olympian | Mentor