Mental Game Skills for Skating Success
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Many skaters feel they have to be perfect. They are afraid to make mistakes.
Common characteristics of perfectionists, particularly attention to details, and the need (drive) to get things right, make them excellent skaters. Skating is a sport of technique and precision where attention to details can be a benefit. Continue reading “Dealing With Mistakes-Learning from Nathan Chen”
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I was fortunate enough to attend the Canadian National Championships this year. I went as a part of my work, not as a casual spectator. I was there for the all of the Senior short and free programs in all disciplines. I learned much and would like to share some observations I hope you will find helpful. Continue reading “Skating a Clean Program: Learn from the National Championships”
As far as careers go, Mirai Nagasu has reasons to give up, just quit. She was the US National champion in 2008 at the age of 16, 4th place at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games, then was dramatically left off of the next US Olympic team in 2014 despite a third place finish at the US National Championships.
Many athletes would have quit at that point. She could have taken it as a vote of no confidence when Ashley Wagner, 4th place at US Nationals that year was named to the Olympic team. Continue reading “Work Around Mistakes and Belief in Yourself: Observing Mirai Nagasu”
In the champion mindset, you must be alert and pay attention in order to Learn and Grow in your sport and in life.
This learn and grow mindset allows you to make mistakes, to be patient with yourself and to keep things in perspective.
When you know that adversity is part of the process, and that each mistake is an opportunity to learn, you can let go of a lot of your internal struggle and feel more peace.
In the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships, about a year ago, Gracie Gold, a favorite for the title, struggled and missed the podium. Instead of pausing to take what could be learned and putting the rest in the past, she went down the rabbit hole of self doubt (see previous article and video interview here). Continue reading “Dealing With Mistakes Can Save Your Season”
Does your mindset keep you in a cage?
A strong mental game requires a mindset of Learning and Growth.
The top performers in any profession understand that:
Continue reading “Why a Growth Mindset is Key for a Strong Mental Game”