These concepts underlie the work that I do as a Mental Coach. These wise words may be lost to many modern athletes. That is why I think it's so important to return to our roots. If you’re a competitive athlete these words are good to remember. You will not always win. Losing sometimes is inevitable. Are you one of those people who stop yourself from participating because of some fear? Is it a fear of losing or a fear of winning? So many people don't allow themselves to go for it in the game of life because they fear they might not win. There are other fears too. The fear of injury and of being embarrassed or humiliated knocks so many out before they ever meet their actual competition. Fear of defeat keeps so many from continuing in the sport their chosen sport.
Some never even take the first step and get started in a sport. I started taking dance classes when I was a freshman in high school. I really enjoyed learning ballet, modern and jazz dance. It was a brand new world that opened to me. Dance changed my life forever. But it may have never happened. I had an opportunity to start classes in seventh grade but I was afraid. My fear was of being judged by my peers. I didn’t want be the only boy in the class. For two years that fear stopped from signing up. It’s a common story for many boys my age. I had the interest, talent and opportunity but I had a huge mental block. No one ever said I couldn’t do it or that I shouldn’t do it. I looked around and saw what others were doing and decided I would go with the crowd. They were taking instrumental music and I followed the herd. I’m not going to be so hard on myself. I was twelve years old, after all. But how many of us act the same way at 22, 32 or 52? More than I few, I would wager.
Maybe you're not an athlete and are unsure if this lesson could apply to you. Let me ask you a few questions. Are you fully participating in the game of life? Do you believe that there is a place for you to your mark or do you feel unworthy? Do you believe that there is something that you lack that disqualifies you from pursuing your dreams? One of my favorite things about watching the Olympics is when I see players from a tiny country sharing the stage with athletes from much bigger countries. The same thing happens in the world of professional soccer. During the World Cup it's so exciting to see relatively small countries like Ghana do well. I remember in 2010 when they became the third African country to ever reach the quarterfinals. Sometimes it’s not about size, the country just may be relatively new to international competition and be facing another that has won many world championships. Ghana didn’t let their relative size or youth stop them. The International Olympic Committee actually encourages smaller countries to find their best players and bring their "A" game.
The Olympic Games were founded on this principle of participation. Equal participation can extend beyond sports to music, dance, comedy, manufacturing, literature, business or almost anything. I live in a very big country with a sizable population but even here people hold themselves back and do not fully participate in their chosen activity or interest. Why? They lack the encouragement to go forward. Individuals like international sports teams must be nurtured and supported in order for them to increase in skill and confidence. You first job is to figure out the area that you are most passionate to participate in. Don’t let anything stand in your way. No matter where you in the world, you can find a coach to encourage you and to raise your level of skill. Skill is not the most important quality, however. Courage, commitment and concentration are things that go hand in hand with athletic skill. Many of my athletic clients come to me with an abundance of skill. They are healthy, fit and experienced in their position. Mental Coaching provides them with the edge they need to really believe in themselves and become willing try out for a new team, enter a tournament or go up to a new weight class. Knowing that you belong on the team and that you deserve a place is an important realization for every athlete.
Sports are full of upsets, players or teams that took the gold when no one else believed they had a chance. The U.S. Men’s hockey team in 1980 is a great example of that. How you deal with uncertainty can change. If you verbally beat yourself up, second-guess your skill or forget past successes… that all changes today. Applied sports psychology helps you to make friends with your mind and eliminate self-sabotage. Self-handicapping is the one thing that no amount of weights, cardio or nutrition can cure. Do you have the will to win? Does your belief in yourself let you keep fighting when you can barely lift your arms? Whatever sport you may believe that your personal chances of winning a medal may be extremely remote. But that was yesterday. The past is gone. Today you start believing. Today you decide to participate fully. Don’t let past limiting beliefs stop you from suiting up, getting on the field and giving it your absolute best. Can you feel good about your preparation and play? Was your last “game” the best game you were capable of playing? Have you truly “fought well”? If so, feel great about yourself. Feel like an Olympian.
No comments:
Post a Comment