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.
When she sees a competitor who came in first place at the last competition, she knows that this competition will be a challenging one. But she knows that strong competition has the potential to help raise her performance to even higher levels.
She is not in the secondary rink, but in the big rink today for the first time. The atmosphere is electric.
She is first in the skating order. She knows that this can be an advantage because:
- She will be fresh from the warmup.
- She has the opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the event by giving a performance that leaves the judges with no doubt about her ability.
- She can finish her performance, then sit back and watch the other skaters in her group.
She can’t wait to get on the ice and do her program. She feels a bit nervous but she knows her plan, and she knows the nerves are the sign that she is ready to do a great program.
Today is a great day to skate.
Scene 2
Skatergirl plods into the rink. Her head is down as she goes through the doors. She is angry because her sister made her late and her mom yelled at her for something she didn’t do. The noise and the crowds are overwhelming.
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. The skater lands a beautiful double axel. Hmm. This reminds Skatergirl of the sketchy double axel she did yesterday. She starts worrying that she won’t be able to land it today.
A few of her friends walk by but she is so focused on the floor, she doesn’t notice them.
Doubt about the double axel multplies and grows into a general dread of coming in last and “wasting all of her hard work.” She is dreading the competition. She wants to turn around and run back to the hotel.
When she sees a competitor who came in first place at the last competition, her mood collapses. Why is she here again? She already qualified this year, can’t she give others a chance? I’m doomed!
She is not in the secondary rink, but in the big rink today for the first time. She shakes her head, it’s too strange. For sure, all those seats and the huge video screen will distract her from her skate.
To top it off, she has to skate first. Just her luck. No one ever wins when they skate first. Ugh.
Her nerves are out of control and she can’t make them go away.
Her day couldn’t get any worse.
Unhappy Place, Unhappy Skate
If you feel stressed, anxious or unhappy when you compete then chances are:
- You find it difficult to execute a good program
- You just don’t skate up to your potential.
- You have no momentum going into the program
Your skate ends up matching your mood, and when you don’t skate well, you become more unhappy. This can become a vicious cycle that ends up in a downward spiral.
What if you could turn that vicious cycle into a victorious one?
There is a reason the mental work you do is called your “mindset.” It sets the tone of your thoughts, your emotions and your actions. You have already won or lost the battle in your mind.
There is a difference when you look at a competition with a sour attitude versus a hopeful attitude.
It is the difference between:
- Avoiding challenges or embracing them.
- Giving up easily or persevering through obstacles.
- Feeling threatened by others or finding inspiration from them.
Winston Churchill said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
When you have an open, optimistic, attitude you can see both sides of the coin. You can see the blessings in setbacks and the lessons or opportunities for learning in every disappointment.
For example, imagine there is an unexpected delay in the competition. You might be upset that you have to warm up again, or that you have to stand down, then get revved up again.
At the same time, since this is not something you can change, you could also see it as more time to spend with your friends or a chance for you to finish your pre-competition checklist.
By contrast, when you are accustomed to having a sour, pessimistic, or helpless attitude, it might be hard to turn this minor setback around, in turn causing you to skate poorly.
If you have a habit of tending to the negative side of the attitude line when it comes to competitions, there is hope. Of course, what would be the purpose of this article if there wasn’t, right?
What Determines a Great Program
To be a great skater you need great technique; but this is alone is not enough. A great skater must have a strong mindset in order for the technique to shine.
Your mindset going into an event is the best indicator of how well you skate your program. Therefore, it is your number one priority in competition. You must spend as much time and effort in developing a positive, learn and grow mindset as you do in developing your skills and technique.
You can turn your frown upside down
Remember you are in control of your thoughts and your mindset, and you can learn to turn your mindset around by following these steps:
- Leading up to the competition, do whatever it takes to keep your emotions on the up side. If you have a hobby that makes you happy like painting, reading or dancing, then do it.
- At competition, distract yourself when you are off the ice. Do something fun to keep your mind occupied:
- Watch cute animal videos
- Play video games
- Spend time with family or friends
- Deal with worries, self-doubts and negative thoughts when they pop up.
- If what you are thinking is unhelpful, stop it.
- Remind yourself why you are ready for this competition.
- You only have to skate the way you know how to. You can do that.
- Bring yourself back to the immediate moment.
- You can’t do anything more about the competition until you are on the ice.
- You can’t cram training in to do well in competition.
- Practice is done. You will be ready to do it when it’s time.
You have the power to shape your mindset and attitude. A hopeful, optimistic, learn and grow mindset will result in a better response from your body.
Rather than getting stuck dwelling on what is not working. Pay attention to all of the things you can do right now. Start some momentum in the right direction.
Even if you have a habit of negative thinking, it’s not too late to start a new habit.
Change your mind and change your life.
What do you think is the hardest thought you need to change in your mindset? Let us help!
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.