Venus Williams shares how she faces obstacles

Opponents, trials and tests are a constant in Venus Williams’ life on and off the court. It hasn’t been easy: a 30-year professional tennis career and a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease in 2011 mean she’s had her fair share of ups and downs.

How she managed to do that is something the players who are doing everything they can to reach the next round of the 2024 US Open, which starts on August 26, may now be wondering.

Williams’ North Star is making sure she enjoys what she does, even in the most difficult times. The process, she says, is often the reward itself. But in a moment of struggle, that perspective sometimes doesn’t quite resonate. That’s where a little self-talk comes in.

“I have to get through this moment,” Williams tells himself. “I decide not to think about how I’m going to get through it, but I just know that I will.”

In other words, she reminds herself that she will come out on the other side of whatever challenge she faces. This is actually a mental strategy known as a “no-fail mindset.” Williams doesn’t always know how she’ll get from point A to point B, but she knows it will happen.

“For me, it’s just having the belief in yourself that you’re going to get through it or you’re going to overcome it or whatever it is that you want to do,” Williams said. “You get caught up in worrying about how you’re going to do it, (but) it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get there.”

Even though the journey is not a straight line and you may have to take detours or stop occasionally, you will eventually reach your destination.

“Sometimes part of the fun is being a little off-balance. It’s exciting when you have a lot coming at you. It gives you energy.” —Venus Williams

“You may have to catch up, or take a road less traveled, or fail a little bit and try again. But knowing that you are going to get there is the best way,” Williams says.

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In fact, the matches where she found herself in those situations were the most memorable and rewarding for her. Victory is not something to be taken for granted and the puzzle of getting from start to finish made the journey so much fun.

“You live for this,” Williams says. “(I) have this attitude that I love this, this is what I want. This is fun to have this challenge. We’re not asking for less challenge, we’re asking for more skill.”

To gain more skills, Williams publishes a book, Aim for it: 8 Steps to Your Awesomenesswhich comes out on September 10th, and contains her framework for well-being. She has eight principles that she personally applies to living a healthy life, both mentally and physically. And the principles don’t always mean what you think they mean. For example, “balance” doesn’t mean that all aspects of your being have to be in harmony at all times.

“Balance for me changes over time,” Williams says. “It’s about recognizing where you are and what’s appropriate in your life at that moment.”

One week, balance can mean an equal amount of rest and exercise, socializing and downtime. Other weeks, it can mean days where it’s all about the push or all about the rest. You can strive for balance with a long-term vision that goes beyond how your day or week is going. And you can also give yourself permission and grace when life feels a little out of balance, when it’s in service of something you’re striving for.

“Sometimes part of the fun is being a little off-balance,” Williams says. “It’s exciting when you have a lot coming at you. It gives you energy.”

Whether your seesaw is straight or crooked, remember that you can find the balance you seek. If you are determined, you will get there no matter what.