Category: Figure Skating

Posted on

The Big Leap Fail

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Positive thinking is one of the most important aspects of success.

– Bill McDowell

So called experts, social media, titles of books, people you meet; everywhere you look, you are told to think positive, to find an optimistic side in every negative or stressful situation.

In the skating world, you are encouraged to visualize your success. Visualize doing a clean program. Believe you are great. Tell yourself you can do it. You can do your triple lutz, no problem.

This sounds good in theory. You tried to be positive, even told yourself, “I am a great skater, I can skate a clean program. I got this.” Continue reading “The Big Leap Fail”

Posted on

How to Motivate Yourself to Practice When you Don’t Want To

Skaterdude has to practice a forward camel with a change of edge spin for his program, but hates doing it. He keeps falling, it’s difficult, and his body is sore.

It is so frustrating when he can’t get it right, but in his mind he hears his spin coach saying, “You need it in your program this year, for levels and points.”

In his mind, he knows that practicing it will make him better, but his heart is not in it. He would rather jump; he’s a jumper. Continue reading “How to Motivate Yourself to Practice When you Don’t Want To”

Posted on

The Best Mindset for Competition: A Tale of Two Moods

Scene 1

Skatergirl glides into the rink. It’s competition day and she is excited. She looks at all the people waiting in the stands as she breathes in the energy around her. Music is playing in the arena. A skater dressed in a deep purple dress lined with Swarovski crystals skates her program while the judges look on. Skatergirl feels eager to get out there and do her thing too. She continues happily into the locker room, greeting her friends along the way. Continue reading “The Best Mindset for Competition: A Tale of Two Moods”