I Made A Mistake... Now What?

I read this article from a sport psychology resource that I have know for years. Check it out:

Does your young athlete have trouble coping with mistakes? Do
your athletes check out during games because they can't let go
of mistakes? In fact, 35% of sports parents we surveyed said
that their young athletes struggle with letting go of mistakes.

In other words, if your kids can't let go of mistakes, this can
spiral into real "mental game" challenges in sports. When this
spiral begins, young athletes become frustrated, lose
confidence, and get angry or give up altogether.

Some parents have described this syndrome as "checking out."
Their kids stop caring because they are in the grips of
frustration and anger. We admit that this sounds harsh, but this
is the reality. In fact, some kids, like the one mentioned
below, are even threatened with getting kicked off their teams!

In order to be successful, your young athletes need to learn how
to let go of mistakes and remain composed. If they can't stay
composed, they risk not playing up to their potential. Then one
mistake snowballs into more mistakes, which snowballs into the
fear of more missed goals, missed putts, turnovers, lost
rebounds....and more bad performances.

This is what it looks like: A young basketball player begins a
game with high hopes. But after a few missed shots, he stops
shooting. He's afraid of missing more shots. He stops taking
risks and plays very tentatively. He's not very effective, and
starts to feel frustrated--even angry.

Check out this Link: http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/public/department66.cfm

~~~Thank me for posting this by the IMPLEMENTING IT! ~~~
Have a Crazy Athletic Day! -Ryan "Crazy Athletic" Bishel

Breathing Techniques

As a competitive level athlete, learning how too properly breathe can be one of your best assests. Is is very typical of athletes to hold their breath when contracting ther muscles during physical activity. This stops the flow of oxygen to your muscles. Think of pinching off a garden hose. So get in the habit of inhaling during the negative phase of an exercise and exhaling during the contraction phase of the exercise.

Another tip is to work on slowing down your breathing pattern during high intensity cardiovascular activity. When you can feel your heart beating through your chest, try to count 3-5 beats during both the inhale and exhale phase. Start at 3 and work up to 5.

I'll Leave you with this:
"Remember, you can accomplish anything you truly believe in. So find out what it is that you believe in."

Job Interview Tip

The following are some tips form Harvey Mackay that I found for you all to read over. In this tough job market, you need to step up your game in order to set yourself apart!

When you enter an interviewer's office, zero in on memorabilia and personal touches:

What books are prominently displayed on the shelves? Can you share a comment or two about an important lesson you learned from reading one of the authors?
Autographed photos and civic or industry awards can be particular points of personal pride. If you can offer some authentic praise or admiration, consider making a passing comment.
The individual's laptop, monitor or other office equipment can open up a conversational opportunity.
A job interview is fundamentally a sales encounter. People buy from people they like. And people hire people they like. It's that simple. People like people who are genuine, pleasant, sincere, easy to talk with and friendly.

Have a clever story, quote, or anecdote or two in mind that you can slip into the conversation. Something positive and memorable. Billionaire Oprah Winfrey, for example, uses an unforgettable trademark line: "I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."

Follow-up a job interview with a handwritten thank-you note. They are essential, especially when they mention how you will fit into the company's culture or help meet its immediate business needs.

SELF TALK

The biggest hurdle to overcome while trying to end the negative thinking mentality is changing how you talk to yourself. Think Positive-Constructive, not negative-negative. Think: "This was good, this can be better." One other thing, this thought process needs to take place in under 3 seconds. That's right, move on to the next play.

Start Your New Year off Right!

Keep only cheerful, positive friends.

Enjoy the simple things.

Laugh often.

Stay in shape.

Cherish your health.

Be happy.

Don't stress out.

Don't take guilt trips.

Visualize yourself as youthful and with endless energy.

Remember, You Can Accomplish Anything You Truly Believe In... Visualize Success!

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Happy New Year to everyone!

I wish you all the best this 2009!

You can accomplish anything you truly believe in.

Just remember, you have to let your actions speak louder than your words!

Let's make it a memorable one!

Agility Drill - Change of direction

Shooting Slump

Below are 4 mental game strategies to help you turn it around when you get off to a slow start and need to find momentum in a basketball game:

1. Great shooters keep shooting. You can't turn your game around unless you keep shooting. You must have faith that your skills are not "lost."

2. Look for momentum-changing breaks in the game. When you're not playing your best and you've lost momentum, it's easy to look for bad breaks or bad luck. I want you to look for good breaks!

3. Avoid the "I-just-don't-have-it-today-syndrome." Instead, keep telling yourself "I'm going to turn my game around right now" - on every point or play.

4. Continue to trust your skills or shot. I know many athletes who miss early in a game and they tighten up and over-control their shots. Avoid over-coaching yourself after making a mistake, which can make matters worse. See the shot you want and allow your (well-trained) body to react to the target. Don't let your conscious self interfere with your unconscious self!

Basketball season is starting... Good Luck This Winter! Kick Some Butt...No Regrets!!!

THANKSGIVING

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be making such a positive impact in peoples' lives! I truly believe in giving back.

Just remember, "giving thanks" is not something that should only happen the last Thursday in November!

Winning

Winning is overcoming obstacles to reach a goal, but the value of winning is as only as great as the value of the goal reached.

The process can be more rewarding than the victory itself.

Fear Driven Athlete vs Success Driven Athlete

Fear Driven Athlete:
Focused on avoiding Pain, Mistakes & Failure. Has more anxiety & tension. Get frustrated easily. "I don't want to miss this shot" "I don't want to lose this race"

--You have to first know your fear. Then set mini goals that can slowly build confidence.

Success Driven Athlete:
Focused on what needs to be done. Lives in the present moment! Separates one play at a time and focus on the process not the outcome. "I see the shot being made" "I will make the pass in the race"

Which one do you want to be?
Email me if you would like further help in this area. ryanb@championsquest.com

INTIMIDATION

Some athletes try to intimidate others intentionally because they think it gives them a mental edge or feel they need to this to win. However, most intimidation comes from athletes who psych themselves out - all on their own.

They psych themselves out because of negative thoughts or fears, which then turn into mental gremlins. Self-intimidation is what you bring on yourself because you worry too much about your competition or the team you are about to play.

Self-intimidation can come in many forms such as...

>>Feeling pressure to perform your best or win.
>>Worry about performing against other athletes who are just as skilled.
>>Comparing yourself to other athletes who you think are better.
>>Worry about competing against a ranked or well-known athlete.
>>Get caught up in the hoopla or importance of a game.

BE CONFIDENT!

Self 1 vs Self 2

Self 1 - Conscious mind
Self 2 - Unconscious mind

A lot of times your self 1 gets in the way of letting self 2 do it's job! Don't let self 1 over-coach self 2. In fact it is better to do the opposite. Allow for self 2 to "feel" the motions it is going through. Think about it, an infant doesn't get coached on how to walk. It just keeps trying until it feels right.

So the moral of the story is to let your body learn the way it was programed to learn!

Success is this simple...

If you tell yourself, "yes I can!" ... Then you can!

If you tell yourself, "yes I will!" ... Then you will!

If you tell yourself, "I can't!" ... Then you can't!

If you tell yourself, "I won't!" ... Then you won't!

That simple! Your mind is a million times more powerful than you think!

What separates you from the rest?

Here are some tips to get some serious scholarship looks.

#1 - Work hard and have a good positive attitude. What you put into it you will reap the rewards.

#2 - Have good film showing all facets of your game. Get your film together and have it ready to send out. Perform on the field!

#3 - Test off the charts! Most teams recruit speed, power and explosive players. Make sure you test well and get coached up on the tests.

#4 - Try to attend as many invite only camps. Get your coach to call to get you in.

#5 - Get your academics in order. Too often I see too many good athletes end up nowhere because of poor grades. Do well in school; college coaches love kids that are qualified.

So there you have it, if you can check mark each of these five things then you are well on your way to becoming highly recruited. Keep working hard on the field/court/in the pool, in the classroom and especially in your training. Coaches all over the country will be looking for overall athleticism, not just a one-dimensional athlete!

Train Hard!

50 easy ways to cut 100 calories

Don't worry. When you make small changes, the only difference you'll notice is a drop in the scale! Keep in mind that cutting calories can involve smart substitutions or changes in portion sizes, too. Just remember, start small and work your way up to a new—and healthier—way of eating.

See the link below:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1183

Inspiration from Bejing

After watching the men's 4x100 relay you have to be impressed.

Not just impressed from the USA winning Gold...

But impressed from the World Record being smashed by more than 5 teams in one race.

Now this is not just coincidence...

or illegal performance enhancing drugs...

or luck.

It was from TRAINING.

More and more athletes are breaking records on a regular basis.

Athletes EARN the records they break months and years before the big competition.

Now more than ever athletes need to realize that athletic ability and talent only gets you so far in athletics. Flexibility, Strength training, Mental Training, Nutrition are just a few of the things that athletes focus on or need to be focusing on week after week if they have the desire to be successful.

So get out there and EARN your success and don't wait for a lucky day during a competition to happen.

So start training like a champion today and maybe you just might break some records one day.

Top 7 Confidence Killers for Athletes

I talk to many concerned sports parents stating that their kids struggle with confidence and self-doubt…

Sports, at any level, is a game of confidence. The more confident athletes often rise above the competition.

What are the Top 7 Confidence Killers in sports?

#1. Negative self-talk - Never say something to yourself that you wouldn't want a coach to say to you.
#2. Thinking success is luck and not ability - Nothing is handed to you, everything you accomplish is earned by what you put into it.
#3. Strict expectations about performance - Nobody is perfect. Just try to be a little better every day.
#4. Self-doubt about one’s ability - Competition is won first in your mind; therefore you have to truly believe you have the mental & physical ability to out perform the competition
#5. Focusing too much on mistakes - You can't undo the past... just learn from them and move on. Mistakes are your stepping stones for success.
#6. Making comparisons to other athletes - You only have the power to control you & only you! Believe in yourself and everything else will fall into place.
#7. Overly critical coaches or parents - Most of the time this comes from them trying motivate you to perform up to the level that they know you can be at, even though criticizing isn't the best method. If someone criticizes you, turn on your "filter" and let it go in one ear & out the other and interpret it as "come on, I know you can do better than this!" You need a positive support system. Talk to them once everything has cooled down and let them know how you feel about the situation so they see your point of view.

Lakers vs Celtics - Game 5

I found some time Sunday night to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

It was the last Home game for the Lakers, a must win to stay "alive" in the Championship.

Thanks to ESPN/ABC, I was able to hear sound clips from Doc Rivers, Head coach of the Celtics.

Theres was something that he kept repeating over and over again to his team...

"Mental Toughness, Mental Toughness, Mental Toughness! It is all in your head"

My case in point: Your MENTAL GAME is what allows your body to perform the necessary movements to compete at a CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL!

May the team "with the most Mental Toughness" win!

Listening

I challenge you to do 2 things...

1.) See how long you can keep eye contact with someone while they are talking to you.

2.) Figure out which of the following listening styles is the biggest problem for you and work on it for the next week.

Spacing out: Ignoring someone who is talking to us because our mind is wandering off in our own thoughts.

Pretend Listening: Not paying to much attention to someone and making remarks like, "uh-huh," and "yeah."

Selective Listening: Paying attention only to the pieces of the conversation that is interesting to you.

Word Listening: Only listening to the words a person is saying and not watching their body language, tone of voice or meaning behind the words.

Self-Centered Listening: Probing, judging, advising. Only seeing things from own point of view instead of putting ourselves in someone else's shoes.

Definitions of the week:
"Listen: hear, pay attention, be attentive, attend, concentrate; keep one's ears open"

"Genuine: authentic, real, actual, original, bona fide, true, veritable; attested, undisputed, sincere, honest, truthful, straightforward, direct, frank, candid, open; artless, natural, unaffected"