31: Is It the Goal… Or Your Timeline?

You say you want to play volleyball in college.But what if the real thing stressing you out isn’t the goal… it’s the timeline you attached to it?In this episode, Susan unpacks one of the biggest hidden pressures in recruiting: the belief that it should have happened by now. For the Class of 2026 and 2027 especially, watching other athletes commit can create a quiet panic — even when you’re doing everything “right.”Susan breaks down the two biggest sources of recruiting frustration: timelines and expectations. She explains why timing is often just a guess, why attaching your confidence to a date creates unnecessary pressure, and how to shift your focus back to what you can actually control.She also dives into a deeper question: are your expectations rooted in desire… or fear? Because the difference between those two changes everything.If recruiting has started to feel heavy, uncertain, or discouraging, this episode will help you reset. You only need one aligned yes. And your time is coming — even if it’s not on the schedule you imagined.Chapters00:00 – The ultimate goal: you only need one aligned “yes”01:30 – Why recruiting feels frustrating (Classes of ’26 & ’27)02:30 – The Timeline Trap: why timing creates pressure05:30 – What you can control vs. what you can’t07:00 – Expectations layered onto the goal08:30 – Desire vs. fear: where your expectations come from11:30 – Are you limiting yourself to one specific outcome?13:30 – Division, location, academics — what really matters?16:15 – What happens when you drop the timeline18:30 – The “drops in the bucket” mindset22:00 – The Celebration Game: building confidence through small wins23:30 – “Your time is coming — and it’s always on time”25:00 – Recruiting is more than strategy27:30 – Final reflection: timelines, expectations, and choosing from desireConnect with Susan:Check out the website: www.nxtvb.comFollow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susankwww.rallysend.comLooking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.