The World on His “Should-ers”
Skaterdude works his skates off in practice. He has practiced so hard that he can now do all his jumps successfully. In fact, he has been skating clean or near clean programs for months now.
During competition season, his training center hosts exhibition days every week. This is where skaters do mock competitions. It’s an opportunity to skate in front of an audience under increased pressure, to practice for competition.
I know what you are thinking, “Skaterdude is in great shape. Consistently clean programs in practice…what is the problem?!”
Well the problem is, that in these exhibitions, Skaterdude exhibits just about everything except what he’s got. He has yet to skate a clean program in a mock competition.
This week, he fell on his first jump 3S then popped 2Lz and 2A. It was like a SSSLLAA-p¹ in the face!
At that point, he gave up on having a good outcome. The rest of the program went downhill, with only frustration at the bottom. The same thing happens in actual competitions too.
“What is wrong with me? I should have skated clean.”
He is a good skater. His coaches, parents and training-mates know he is a good skater. But will the rest of the world ever know?
If only competition judges could be flies on the wall during practice…
In his mind, he knows he can skate clean. But it’s like a switch flips in his brain when he goes into competition. It leaves him wondering what goes wrong when the pressure is on.
Expectations are the Dream Killers
Without realising it, Skaterdude has created expectations for his performance in simulations and competitions. He skates clean during practice. Therefore, he expects that he will skate clean in competition.
Expectations are better known as the “shoulds.”
Because he can skate consistently clean programs in practice, Skaterdude feels that he “should” be able to do the same in exhibitions and competitions.
Instead of paying attention to the action of performing each element which will make the clean program a reality; expectations shift his focus to prevent making mistakes, and not doing things that could jeopardize a clean skate.
These “shoulds” make him overly concerned about, and focused on the outcome of the program. These “shoulds” cause him to worry before, and to be disappointed and frustrated when the outcome is not what he expected.
Skaterdude is putting energy in the wrong place…the outcome (results).
Ironically, the way for him to get the results he wants is to flip the switch back to what he does in practice. He needs to forget the results (clean program) and pay attention to doing each element and doing his program.
The “Shoulds” Solution
If you have the “shoulds” when you think about your skating, here are some steps you can take to get rid of those unhelpful expectations, so that you can get the results you want.
1. Recognize when you have created expectations for yourself. Look for the “shoulds,” and make a list.
- I should…
2. Take those expectations and neutralize them. Changing your perspective can help your performance. Change those expectations to aspirations.
Change “should” into “could” or “it would be great to…”
“I should skate a clean program in competition,” becomes:
- It would be great to skate a clean program in competition.
- I could skate a clean program in competition.
3. Then bring your attention back to what you can do to make this happen. Remind yourself what you need to do to skate a clean program.
For example:
- I will hold my edge when I go into my 3S.
- I will hit all my bullet points when I do my spin.
- I will make my turns and clusters deep and clear in my footwork.
It will take even more practice than what Skaterdude is accustomed to, but if he commits, then he can change his thinking. You can too if you follow the steps outlined above.
When you do this, you will begin to realize and accept that you can’t control the outcome of every situation, of every simulation, of every competition.
What you can control is:
How you manage your expectations (change “shoulds” to “coulds”)
Pay attention to the actions you take that will get you the results you want.
Your reaction when things don’t go according to plan.
Don’t let your expectations keep you from doing what you love and loving what you do.
Have you ever skated perfectly in practice and then messed up during competitions? Do you feel pressured to not make mistakes? How do you cope when you do? I would love to hear about your experiences so share in the comments!
[1] Did you get it? “3S,2Lz, 2A” SSSLLAA-p (haha)
Mental skills training can help to keep your emotions on an even keel so that you can practice and compete your best.
Start here; download “Confidence Myth Busters,” a complimentary eBook and make a change.