Mental Athlete

Taking out the Trash Part 2

2007-11-20T06:48:00.000-08:00

Previously I commented on Taking out the Trash from the movie Peaceful Warrior. Well checking out the author of that movie Dan Millman's blog, he recently discussed Taking out the Trash. You can check out what he had to say at the following link: http://www.danmillman.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=145

Actually, I think I was pretty close in my interpretation and believe the previous blog has many good points. But I did want you to hear what the author had to say about it.

Have a Great Day

Where are you going?

2007-11-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

"If You Don't Know Where You Are Going, You'll End Up Some Place Else" -Yogi Berra-

This quote interest me in the fact that so many of us really don't know where we want to end up. Some of us believe we have GOALS, but do we really? Sometimes when I look in the mirror I try to figure out if I am really reaching my full potential. Now I believe I have accomplished a lot in my life and career, but how much more could I accomplish if I set more specific GOALS and relentlessly pursued those goals. Life is full of peaks and valleys, but it is those who are able to set GOALS and stay focused that end up where we intended to go.

In athletics, not having a clear goal can be a major road block in reaching championship status. If a team does not have a specific GOAL their chance of ending up on top greatly decreases. Which may be okay for those teams that just want to get by and are okay with mediocrity. But what separates the champions from the rest is that they know where they are going and are committed to do whatever it takes to get there.

Therefore, you must first figure out where you are going and then do what is needed to get there.

TAKE OUT THE TRASH

2007-10-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Take out the Trash.

The trash is anything that is keeping you from the only thing that matters:

This Moment, Here, Now.

-from the movie, Peaceful Warrior

What does it take to be a champion? Clear your mind and live in the now. It doesn't matter whether you are participating or instructing, when it comes to performing you have to live in the NOW. All the work you have done to get to this point has prepared you for this moment, the moment you have to react to your environment and perform based on past experience. The hours upon hours you spent in practice executing during different situations pays off now. It should be a reaction at this point and you cannot over think every situation you find yourself in. When you make a mistake, learn from that mistake, correct it during practice, and execute it to perfection the next time you are given the chance. Nobody expects you to be perfect, so realize that mistakes happen, make your adjustments, and be ready for your next opportunity.

To take out the trash could also mean you have to let go of the past, the things you may or may not have done wrong, the things you wish you could have done better, the things you wish you would of said that you feel could have changed certain outcomes. What good comes out of beating yourself up over something that you cannont go back in change? Sure, you need to understand what you did wrong and take the steps to correct those mistakes. But when it is over, it is over, and that is when you need to concentrate on what you can do now to help yourself and your team.

In the book, Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell, he mentions spending 90% of your time on the present, 5% thinking about the past, and 5% on the future. If you want to live in the NOW this would be a good rule of thumb. You never want to forget the past completely, but you definitely don't dwell on it. What you accomplish today will make you better tomorrow, so concentrate on getting better everytime you play.

"Sol Lucet Omnibus"

2007-09-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

"Sol Lucet Omnibus" (The sun shines for everyone)

I receive an e-mail each day of the work week from a remarkable man named Jeff Young who sends out motivational quotes and this is today's quote. If you would like to know more about him you can visit his website at www.friendsofjeff.com

What is most interesting is how the right quote seems to come when needed most. Maybe that is just the glass half full attitude, but that is the way I perceive the quote on given days. The truth of the matter is that we are a product of how we think our lives are and the sun really does shine for everyone. The beautiful thing about life is that you can make a choice to make things better at any point and with persistence you will prevail a majority of the time. Don't try to blame other people for your problems and make the change today. The key to success is to keep on taking those steps toward reaching your ultimate goal whatever that may be.

Who are the Twenty Four Hour Athletes?

2007-09-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

This summer Vern Gambetta discussed the concept of the 24 hour athlete on his blog functional path training and stressed that it is a valid concept the Athletic Development Coaches should not compromise on.

Specifically he states "Conceptually and in reality we need to get our athletes to lead lives that are conducive to athletic excellence. You can't be excellent two hours during training, or just twelve hours during the day and do things that are counterproductive to excellence the rest of the time. We must raise the bar, not lower it. I agree that the young athlete of today has more going on in their life - so what! They need to be taught to focus and commit. They expect the same rewards don't they? We as coaches must set the example and get athletes to commit to an approach to excellence that involves all hours of the day. I know I am getting old and these ideas seem old fashioned, but I know they work; I have lived it as an athlete and a coach. When I first started coaching I was training for the decathlon, coaching track at two schools, also coached basketball that year, taught a full teaching load, was married and had a bit of life. We must teach the young coaches and athletes that it takes total commitment; excellence is not a passing fancy. You must strive to win each workout, before you can ever bear the fruits of victory. If we give into this generation then it will only get worse going forward. Is it work, you bet it is. Does it take energy, it sure does, but we must do it!"

Some very valid points that get lost a lot of times, especially in the off-season. Sure, everyone deserves a break from there training once in a while. But how do you choose to take that break is what is being challenged when discussing the 24 hour athlete. Are athletes today doing something counter-productive to there training when they decide to take a break? And how long of break do you believe you deserve, need, or have earned? Did you reach the goals you set before your season began, both personal and team? If you did, GREAT! But if you did not, what are some reasons that you did not reach them and what will it take to achieve them this year? For spring sports, do you believe that just working out in the Fall is going to help you get closer to that championship you are seeking or do you think you may need to show up polished on your skills and well conditioned ready to improve even more when the coaches are able to start working with you individually? How many college athletes work harder than they have ever worked for 15 weeks of a semester only to take the next 4 weeks off during the holidays and lose everything? Don't fool yourself and believe that you will be the best you can be in your chosen sport if you don't put in the extra time on your own. When you are not around the rest of your team and away from sport what are you doing to get better and what choices are you making that will help you be the best. Don't make excuses if you truly want to reach excellence because the excuses will not get you what you want. Make the right choices when faced with your own tough decisions and peer pressure. No one said being an athlete is easy and living the life of a 24 hour athlete is definitely not easy, but the rewards are priceless. Eat right, get plenty of sleep, take care of your school work, WIN every workout and know that you are doing your part to help your team reach that next level.

Are you a 24 hour Athlete?

Good Days and Great Days

2007-09-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

Lance Armstrong stated that "I now only have Good Days and Great Days" and Nike put it on a t-shirt as he was working toward one of his Seven Tour de France Victories. I have adopted this statement and will say it to myself when I think I am having a bad day. On occasion I will even say this to someone who I believe is being too negative.

Is it truly a bad day or is it just one of those days that things aren't going as well as we have hoped? I am sure you can find something to be thankful each and every day if you allow yourself that pleasure. How many people write the day off the first time something unexpected happens, which is usually in the morning? If you start the day off thinking things are going to be bad, often they will move in that direction. So take a minute to consider the following thought: Did that event change your day or did how you react to that event have more of an effect? What would your answer be?

You are not going to have a great day everyday, but when you reflect on the events of each day. How many bad days do we really have in life where we can not find something to be thankful for? It is a simple saying that may just give you that extra boost when you are at the brink of just having a good day. So strive to have more great days and find satisfaction with the good days. But don't misunderstand me, having a Great Day should be the goal everyday.