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.susankQuick shoutout to our podcast sponsor University Athlete. The only volleyball-exclusive recruiting platform used by 95% of college coaches. It’s where athletes get seen, get evaluated, and get recruited. Plus it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to activate your profile. Click the link below to claim your free profile.CLAIM YOUR FREE PROFILE HEREIf you decide you want to upgrade to the All-Access pass be sure to use the code ‘NXTVB30’ to save 30% on your yearly membership. Subscription boxes are all the rave (we get it, they are FUN!) and we’ve developed one for the recruiting process that comes with 1:1 support in our new Set for Success Membership!Every Month as Member You Get to Choose from One of the Following for Support:🖥️ 1:1 ADVISING CALL with either Sonja, Jessie or Susan from the NXTVB team.🎥 HIGHLIGHT FILM professionally produced and done for you.🗣️ OUR TARGETED TAKE with detailed feedback on one specific part of your process, so it's worth your time and effort! 😎 PLUS SEASONAL OFFER...