“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Ab Lincoln
I think that one of the biggest misconceptions deals with the emotions of fear, doubt and negative self talk. The misconception lies within the misconceived notion that high level athletes do not experience this. The misconception also lies within the idea that it is wrong to have these emotions.
I honestly feel that everyone has doubt, everyone has fear, and everyone experiences some form of negative self talk. That is fact, and that is also basic human nature. Those emotions lie with in all of us and will probably never go away.
So, what do you do when these emotions creep up;
~acknowledge
~push them back down
~move on
Learn to acknowledge your emotions. No matter what emotion transpires learn from it. Except it and except it in the current situation. Understand that emotions are real and whatever emotion you are feeling is just based around your temperament and nature. Everybody, and I mean everybody, experience emotions in every situation. Do not try to run and hide from it, stare it right in the face and stand tall.
There is a saying I use with the athletes I encounter and it goes, “burn the questions.” This is referring to their self doubt, and their internal negative dialogue that pops up when the going gets tough. You need to train your body to over come this negative talk, and you do this through your passion, your “why.” I can often relate this to the old comic books where the cartoon characters would have the devil and the angel on their shoulders and each one trying to persuade them to their side. Well, this is every day and every situation. However, if your understanding of why you are doing something is beyond words and rooted deep inside your soul, then when the negativity pops up you can always push it down and get rid of it through your passion for your pursuit.
The key ingredient after all this deals with the ability to move on. I saw this posted on Facebook;
“If you had $86,400 in your account and someone stole 10$ from you would you throw the remainder $86,390 away in fees and disputes to get the 10$ back or move on?”
We all have 86,400 seconds in each day to live, so why let 10 seconds of negativity affect the other 86,390 seconds.
Move on! Acknowledge your fears and doubts, burn the questions through your passion and hard work, and move on! No matter the situation, no matter the circumstance, adhere to these three simple rules to stay focused and driven.
“The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank
Onward
Coach Jay