Rebuilding and Sustaining Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem as an Athlete – The Secret Sauce for Youth Athletes

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Shortly after publishing the most recent article on Process, I caught last week’s Ed Mylett show where he and his guest discussed the importance of process for building confidence. As I listened to the rest of the episode on building self-confidence and self-esteem, I was compelled to research and capture some thoughts to create this brief outline on self-confidence related to youth sports.

As a high school or college athlete, self-confidence and self-esteem play a vital role in your performance, growth, and overall well-being. However, there may be times when your confidence takes a hit due to setbacks, injuries, or other challenges. This article will provide you with effective strategies to retain and regain self-confidence and self-esteem, enabling you to excel in your athletic pursuits. Read below for practical guidelines on how to preserve your confidence and avoid the pitfalls of self-doubt.

Acknowledge and Accept Your Emotions: It is important to recognize and accept the negative emotions you may experience when your confidence is low. Denying or suppressing these emotions can hinder your ability to overcome them. Allow yourself to feel disappointed, frustrated, or anxious, but remember that these emotions are temporary and do not define your abilities or worth. 

Reflect on Past Successes: Remind yourself of past accomplishments and successes as an athlete. Recall moments when you performed exceptionally well, overcame obstacles, or received recognition for your skills. Reflecting on these positive experiences can boost your confidence and remind you of your capabilities. 

Set Realistic Goals: Establishing realistic and attainable goals is crucial for rebuilding self-confidence. Break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps that you can work towards. Celebrate each milestone you achieve along the way, as this will reinforce your belief in your abilities. 

Focus on Your Strengths: Identify and emphasize your strengths as an athlete. Everyone has unique talents and abilities that contribute to their success. Recognizing and utilizing these strengths will enhance your confidence and help you make valuable contributions to your team. 

Surround Yourself with Supportive Individuals: Surrounding yourself with a positive and supportive network is essential for regaining self-confidence and self-esteem. Seek the encouragement of coaches, teammates, and friends who believe in your abilities and provide constructive feedback. Their support can inspire you to overcome challenges and maintain a positive mindset. 

Learn from Setbacks and Failure: Accept that setbacks and failures are part of the athletic journey. Instead of viewing them as obstacles, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and use this knowledge to become a better athlete. Embrace a growth mindset that thrives on challenges and views setbacks as stepping stones toward success. 

Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial for rebuilding self-confidence and self-esteem. Prioritize rest, recovery, and proper nutrition to optimize your performance. Engage in activities outside of sports that bring you joy and relaxation, fostering a well-rounded sense of self. 

Visualize Success: Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself succeeding and excelling in your athletic endeavors. Visualize the specific actions, movements, and outcomes you desire. This practice can enhance your confidence, improve focus, and mentally prepare you for success. 

Seek Professional Guidance: If you find it challenging to rebuild your self-confidence and self-esteem on your own, consider seeking professional guidance. Sports psychologists or counselors can provide valuable tools and strategies tailored to your specific needs. They can help you navigate mental and emotional obstacles, enabling you to regain and sustain your confidence as an athlete. 

Conclusion: Rebuilding and sustaining self-confidence and self-esteem as a high school or college athlete is a continuous journey that requires effort, perseverance, and self-reflection. By implementing the strategies outlined in this chapter, you can overcome setbacks, embrace your strengths, and cultivate an unshakeable belief in your abilities. Remember that confidence comes from within and is within your power to nurture and strengthen. 

The Secret Sauce for Youth Athletes is a series of habits and practices that when adopted by athletes, can help them realize their potential while simultaneously developing important and essential life skills to carry into adulthood. Subscribe or follow for more practical tips and guidelines for unlocking the code for athletic success.

Note: I have zero affiliation with Ed Mylett or his content other than as a consumer of valuable content. To learn more about the episode that stimulated this post, to listen to the episode, click the link below.

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Process vs Outcomes – The Secret Sauce for Youth Athletes

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Chapter: The Importance of Process for Youth Athletes

In the world of sports, success is often measured by wins and losses, personal records, and other tangible accomplishments. Pressure on results, intentional or not, is a constant reminder for youth athletes. However, focusing solely on outcomes can be limiting and discouraging for youth athletes. Instead, it is important to place greater emphasis on the process – the daily habits, routines, and actions that lead to success. In this article, we will explore the importance of process for youth athletes and how it can help them achieve their goals.

The Importance of Process

  1. Consistency

One of the key benefits of focusing on process is that it promotes consistency. When athletes focus on daily habits and routines, they are more likely to stay motivated and maintain their commitment to their goals. By consistently working towards their goals, athletes can build momentum and achieve greater success over time.

  1. Focus on Development

Another benefit of process is that it encourages athletes to focus on development rather than just outcomes. Rather than simply striving to win or achieve personal bests, athletes can focus on improving their skills and technique, building their endurance, and becoming stronger mentally and physically. This emphasis on development can lead to more sustainable success in the long term.

  1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Focusing on process can also help reduce stress and anxiety for youth athletes. When athletes focus solely on outcomes, they may become overly anxious and stressed about their performance. However, by focusing on daily habits and routines, athletes can feel more in control of their performance and less stressed about the outcome of a single event or game.

How to Focus on Process

  1. Set Process Goals

To focus on process, it is important to set process goals. These are goals that focus on daily habits and routines, such as practicing certain skills for a set amount of time each day or committing to a regular exercise routine. By setting and tracking progress towards process goals, athletes can stay motivated and maintain their commitment to their goals.

  1. Emphasize Growth Mindset

Another important aspect of focusing on process is developing a growth mindset. This means viewing setbacks and failures as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than signs of inherent limitations. By adopting a growth mindset, athletes can stay motivated and focused on development, even in the face of challenges.

  1. Track Progress

Finally, it is important to track progress toward process goals. This can help athletes stay motivated and make adjustments to their routines as needed. Tracking progress can also help athletes celebrate their successes and stay motivated, even during periods of slow progress. See the previous post on Journaling and to learn some tips on tools that you can use to track your progress.

Conclusion

Focusing on process is essential for youth athletes who want to achieve their goals and enjoy sustainable success in the long term. By emphasizing daily habits and routines, athletes can develop greater consistency, focus on development, and reduce stress and anxiety. Strategies such as setting process goals, adopting a growth mindset, and tracking progress can help athletes stay motivated and committed to their goals, even during challenging times. The Secret Sauce for Youth Athletes is series of habits and practices that when adopted by athletes, can help then realize their potential while simultaneously developing important and essential life skills to carry into adulthood. Subscribe or follow for more practical tips and guidelines for unlocking the code for athletic success.

Time Management – Essential Skills for Youth Athletes, teen years and beyond. The Secret Sauce

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If you are reading this as a youth athlete or parent of a youth athlete, whether new to the experience or a seasoned vet, you have likely experienced a completely crazy schedule. Club training, games, tournaments, private training, fitness, school activities, homework, etc are constantly competing for an athlete’s time. In most cases, parents carry the burden of driving, carpooling and generally racing around to get their student-athletes from activity to activity. It is important for athletes to understand and manage their own schedules starting in their teens at the latest. I can’t tell you how many team talks when asking about upcoming events and participation, where I have had many players look back with a blank stare and an apparent lack of any clue of what their upcoming schedule is. The facts are that many youth athletes are over-scheduled and it is a significant effort for parents to manage all of the commitments.

If you or your athlete is one of the 2% of youth athletes to be fortunate enough to compete at the college level, then you (they) will likely benefit from the regimented schedule that comes with being a collegiate student-athlete. Between team and school standards on academic performance, many universities provide and demand adherence to a strict schedule of classes, workouts, training, competition, study hours, tutoring, etc. I would argue that while busy, student-athletes have an easier time adjusting to academics by virtue of the support they receive compared to non-athletes or those not in specialty programs

Time management is a crucial skill for teenage athletes to develop as they navigate their busy sports lives filled with school, extracurricular activities, social events, and personal responsibilities. Rather than relying on parents to manage their time, athletes will benefit from starting to manage their own time as they become teenagers. Here are some tips for effective time management that can help teenagers make the most of their time.

  1. Set Priorities: It is important for teenagers to identify their priorities and focus on the tasks that are most important. Make a list of tasks for the day or week and prioritize them based on importance and urgency.
  2. Create a Schedule: Creating a schedule is an effective way to manage time. Set aside specific times for schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. This can help teenagers stay organized and ensure that they have enough time for everything.
  3. Avoid Procrastination: Procrastination is a common issue among teenagers, but it can be detrimental to effective time management. Encourage teenagers to tackle difficult or unpleasant tasks first, and reward themselves with a break or a fun activity once the task is complete.
  4. Minimize Distractions: social media, television, and other distractions can eat up a lot of time. Encourage teenagers to limit their screen time and minimize distractions while they are working on tasks.
  5. Use Time Efficiently: Time can be wasted if teenagers don’t use it efficiently. Encourage them to use small pockets of time for productive tasks such as reviewing notes, reading, or completing short assignments.
  6. Take Breaks: Taking breaks is important for staying focused and avoiding burnout. Encourage teenagers to take short breaks throughout the day to recharge and refocus.
  7. Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for effective time management. Encourage teenagers to establish a consistent sleep schedule to ensure that they are well-rested and ready to tackle the day’s tasks. More on sleep in an upcoming article.
  8. Learn to Say No: It can be difficult for teenagers to say no to social events or extracurricular activities, but sometimes it is necessary to prioritize responsibilities. Encourage teenagers to be honest with themselves and learn to say no when they need to focus on their priorities.

Effective time management is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. By setting priorities, creating a schedule, avoiding procrastination, minimizing distractions, using time efficiently, taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and learning to say no, teenagers can manage their time effectively and achieve their goals. Time management is another important life skill that youth athletes can leverage now and develop the muscle memory required to carry on that skill as they progress through future stages of their lives. For more on “The Secret Sauce” follow this blog and follow @coachrich8 on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Gratitude – Mindset Hacks and Life Skills for Youth Athletes

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The next article in the series “The Secret Sauce for Youth Athletes” will introduce the benefits and practice of Gratitude.

Gratitude is an essential quality that can bring immense benefits to our lives. It is the act of feeling thankful and appreciative of what we have and the people around us. As a teenager, and competitive athlete, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, school, friends, and family drama, and forget to be grateful. Add the constant pressure of performance and it is easy to see how an athlete could get caught up in a lot of the negative stimuli.  In this article, we will explore the importance of gratitude and ways that an athlete can begin to add the practice into their lives.

Why Practice Gratitude?

Gratitude has been proven to have a positive impact on our mental health and overall well-being. When we are grateful, we tend to focus on the good things in our lives, which helps us feel happier and more content. It can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Gratitude can improve our relationships with others by strengthening bonds and increasing empathy and kindness. Practicing gratitude can also lead to better physical health, including improved sleep and reduced inflammation.

Ways to Cultivate Gratitude

  1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

One of the easiest ways to cultivate gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. You can start by writing down three things you are thankful for each day. It can be anything from a good grade on a test to a kind gesture from a friend or family member. By focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can increase your overall sense of gratitude.

  1. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and aware of your thoughts and emotions. By practicing mindfulness, you can become more aware of the good things in your life and appreciate them more. Take a few moments each day to focus on your breathing and be present in the moment.

  1. Express Gratitude to Others

Expressing gratitude to others can be a powerful way to cultivate gratitude in your own life. You can start by thanking someone for something they did for you, or simply telling them how much you appreciate them. You can also write a thank you note or send a message of gratitude to someone who has made a positive impact on your life. There is no limit and no write or wrong answer, it could be a friend, a teammate, a coach, teacher, Starbucks barista, you name it and you decide.

  1. Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to cultivate gratitude by helping others. By giving your time and energy to a cause or organization, you can gain a sense of perspective and appreciation for what you have. You can volunteer at a local charity or organization, or even help out a friend or family member in need. Not only is volunteer work rewarding, but it is also often required by schools and an important attribute in college acceptance criteria. Volunteering as a way of cultivating gratitude may help an athlete have a better overall experience than volunteering out of a sense or requirement.

  1. Focus on the Positive

Finally, it is important to focus on the positive aspects of your life, even during difficult times. By focusing on the good things in your life, you can increase your overall sense of gratitude and happiness. You can do this by creating a gratitude list, reminding yourself of what you are grateful for, and focusing on the positive aspects of challenging situations.

In conclusion, cultivating gratitude can bring many benefits to our lives, including increased happiness, better mental and physical health, and stronger relationships. By practicing gratitude regularly, we can increase our overall sense of well-being and appreciation for what we have. As a teenager, it is important to prioritize gratitude and make it a part of our daily lives.

Journaling for Youth Athletes: How to Get Started and Best Practices – The Secret Sauce

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The next article in the series on critical skills and healthy habits for youth athletes and part of the Secret Sauce for Elite Performance is about reflection and leveraging a useful tool to capture thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Journaling seems to be a lost art that many adults are adding back to their routines. My own personal experience with this daily routine has yielded both desired changes and has had a positive impact on my personal goals as well as desired results and outcomes in every area of my life.

Journaling is a powerful tool that can help youth athletes improve their performance, mental health, and personal growth. Journaling can help you reflect on your goals, achievements, challenges, emotions, and strategies. It can also help you cope with stress, anxiety, and frustration. Journaling can be done in different ways, such as writing, drawing, recording audio or video, or using apps. Here are some tips on how to get started and best practices for journaling as a youth athlete. 

  • Find a journaling method that works for you. You can use a notebook, a computer, a phone, or any other device that you feel comfortable with. You can also choose a format that suits your style, such as bullet points, sentences, paragraphs, diagrams, or pictures. Experiment with different methods and formats until you find one that you enjoy and stick to it. 
  • Set a regular time and place for journaling. Journaling can be done at any time of the day, but it is helpful to have a routine that makes it easier to remember and follow. You can journal before or after your training sessions, games, or competitions, or at the end of the day before going to bed. You can also journal in a quiet and private place where you can focus and relax, such as your bedroom, your locker room, or your car. 
  • Write honestly and openly. Journaling is a personal and confidential activity that allows you to express yourself without fear of judgment or criticism. You can write about anything that matters to you, such as your goals, achievements, challenges, emotions, and strategies. You can also write about your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures, your hopes and fears, your joys and sorrows. Be honest and open with yourself and don’t censor or edit your thoughts or feelings. 
  • Use journaling prompts to guide you. Journaling prompts are questions or statements that can help you start or continue your journaling process. They can help you focus on specific topics or aspects of your athletic experience that you want to explore or improve. For example, some journaling prompts for youth athletes are: 
  • What are my short-term and long-term goals as an athlete? 
  • What did I do well today? What can I improve on? 
  • How did I feel during and after my training session/game/competition? 
  • What challenges did I face today? How did I overcome them? 
  • What did I learn from my coach/teammates/opponents today? 
  • What are some positive affirmations that I can say to myself? 
  • What are some gratitude statements that I can make? 
  • What are some coping strategies that I can use when I feel stressed/anxious/frustrated? 
  • How can I celebrate my achievements and reward myself? 
  • How can I support my teammates and show sportsmanship? 
  • Review and reflect on your journal entries. Journaling is not only about writing but also about reading and reflecting on what you wrote. Reviewing and reflecting on your journal entries can help you gain insights into your athletic performance, mental health, and personal growth. You can review and reflect on your journal entries at the end of the week, month, or season. You can also look for patterns, themes, changes, or progress in your journal entries. You can ask yourself questions such as: 
  • What have I accomplished so far? 
  • What have I learned from my experiences? 
  • How have I grown as an athlete and as a person? 
  • What are some challenges that I still need to overcome? 
  • What are some areas that I still need to work on? 
  • How can I apply what I learned from my journaling to my future goals? 

Journaling is a valuable habit that can benefit youth athletes in many ways. By journaling regularly, you can improve your performance, mental health, and personal growth. You can also enjoy the process of journaling as a creative and fun activity that allows you to express yourself and discover more about yourself. 

Works Cited 

  • Brown Jr., Charles G., et al. “The Benefits of Journal Writing for Student-Athletes.” Journal of College Student Development 60.4 (2019): 472-477. 
  • Friesen, Andrew P., et al. “Exploring the potential benefits of digital reflective practice in high-performance sport: A case study.” Psychology of Sport & Exercise 45 (2020): 101600. 
  • Gould D., Carson S., Blanton J.E., “Journal writing for life skills development in elite tennis.” The 

Visualization and Meditation: Critical and Healthy Habits for Youth Athletes: The Secret Sauce – Getting Started with Visualization

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The last article highlighted the difference between Meditation and Visualization and discussed helpful tips to get started with Meditation. This next in the series of Healthy Habits for youth athletes will discuss practical ways to get started with visualization techniques.

If you missed the article on Meditation, you can find that HERE.

Many young athletes aspire to excel in their chosen sport and achieve their full potential. However, they may face various challenges and obstacles along the way, such as pressure, anxiety, self-doubt, and distractions. To overcome these challenges and perform at their best, they need to train not only their physical skills but also their mental skills.

One of the most effective mental skills that can help them is visualization. Visualization is a technique that involves using the power of imagination to create a positive mental image of the desired outcome or performance. In this article, we will explore how visualization can benefit youth athletes, how to practice it correctly, and some examples of visualization exercises that can be used in different sports.

Visualization is a mental technique that involves creating a vivid, sensory-rich experience in the mind’s eye to improve athletic performance. Whether the athlete is involved in an individual or team sport, visualization is a powerful tool to promote a positive and confident mindset. Below are sone examples of when to practice visualization as well as how to get started.

An athlete can use visualization in the following ways:

  1. Pre-performance visualization: Before a competition or training session, an athlete can visualize themselves executing their techniques and movements correctly, experiencing a positive outcome and feeling confident.
  2. Imagining the competition environment: An athlete can imagine the competition environment and use it as a way to prepare mentally and emotionally for what they will experience.
  3. Rehearsing specific scenarios: An athlete can visualize themselves successfully executing specific strategies or scenarios that they expect to face in a competition.
  4. Enhancing self-belief: Visualization can also help an athlete to develop a stronger self-belief, which can enhance their confidence and overall performance.

By regularly incorporating visualization into their training regimen, athletes can increase their chances of success and achieve their desired performance outcomes.

Getting Started

The following is a process that an athlete can use to practice visualization to improve performance:

  1. Find a quiet, relaxed place where you will not be disturbed. Sit or lie down and close your eyes.
  2. Relax your body and mind by taking deep breaths. Focus on breathing slowly and deeply, and try to let go of any stress or tension you may be feeling.
  3. Create a vivid mental image of yourself performing at your best. Imagine every detail of the situation, including the sights, sounds, and feelings you experience.
  4. Visualize success by seeing, hearing and feeling yourself perform with confidence, power, and accuracy. Focus on your strengths, and feel proud of your abilities.
  5. Repeat the visualization several times, each time making the image more vivid, clear and realistic.
  6. Focus on positive feelings such as confidence, determination, and calmness. Try to associate these feelings with the performance you are visualizing.
  7. End the visualization by taking a few deep breaths and opening your eyes. Take a moment to reflect on the experience and how it made you feel.
  8. Practice visualization regularly, before and after games and practices, to reinforce the mental and emotional habits you want to develop.

By using visualization regularly and effectively, athletes can train their minds to focus on success, increase confidence, and enhance their performance.

In summary, To perform well and achieve their goals, athletes and other high achievers need to practice visualization and meditation. These are two methods that can help them to cope with stress, sharpen their focus, and boost their performance. Visualization involves creating a mental image of the event, which can increase their self-confidence and mental readiness. Meditation helps to calm the mind and lower stress levels, which can help them to remain relaxed and attentive during competition. By using both methods together, they can create a complete mental training program, which can give them an edge in performance and success.

Stay tuned for more articles on “The Secret Sauce” for youth athletes for helpful habits and routines that young athletes can incorporate into their daily lives now and for their lifetime, to achieve their goals, gain a competitive advantage and realize their potential.

Meditation vs Visualization – Critical and Healthy Habits for Youth Athletes: Getting Started with Meditation

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Both Meditation and Visualization are critical tools that many high performers across multiple industries, especially athletics, use as part of their daily and weekly routines. Adding the practices of both meditation and visualization can help youth athletes become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and emotions and gain a competitive edge.

This first of a series of articles will highlight the differences between meditation and visualization and explore meditation as a practice including practical tips on how to get started. Meditation is a practice that involves training the mind to focus on the present moment. It is often done by sitting quietly and focusing on the breath or a particular object, such as a candle or a mantra. The goal of meditation is to cultivate a state of mindfulness, which is a state of non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. By learning to focus the mind and cultivate mindfulness, meditation can help to reduce stress, improve concentration and focus, and promote overall well-being. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in various forms, and today it is widely used as a tool for promoting mental and emotional health.

Visualization, also known as mental imagery or mental rehearsal, is a technique that involves creating a mental image or scenario in the mind’s eye. It can be used to enhance athletic performance by mentally rehearsing specific skills, movements, or scenarios. Visualization can also be used for relaxation or stress reduction by creating a peaceful and calming image or environment in the mind. The practice of visualization can help athletes to develop a stronger mind-body connection and improve their focus and concentration. It can also be used to overcome fears and doubts by visualizing success and positive outcomes. Visualization is a commonly used technique in sports psychology and is often used by athletes of all levels to help them achieve their goals.

Meditation vs Visualization

However, there are differences between the two techniques. Visualization involves creating a mental representation of a specific goal or task that one wants to achieve. It is often used by athletes to prepare for competitions and improve performance by creating a mental simulation of the event. On the other hand, meditation is a more general technique that involves quieting the mind and focusing on the present moment. While meditation can also have a positive impact on performance, it is not as specific as visualization.

Both visualization and meditation are important for athletes and other high achievers because they help to reduce stress, increase focus, and enhance performance. Visualization allows individuals to create a mental simulation of the event, which can help to improve their confidence and mental preparation. Meditation, on the other hand, helps to quiet the mind and reduce stress, which can help individuals to stay calm and focused during competition. Both techniques can be combined to create a comprehensive mental training program, which can provide a powerful tool for enhancing performance and promoting success.

Meditation – Getting Started: Meditation can be a powerful tool for youth athletes looking to enhance their performance and well-being. By incorporating a regular meditation practice into their routine, young athletes can improve their focus, reduce stress and anxiety, and develop mental resilience. Meditation can also help youth athletes cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-regulation, which can improve their ability to manage their emotions and reactions both on and off the field. Whether it’s through guided meditations, breathwork, or other mindfulness practices, meditation can offer youth athletes a valuable way to enhance their overall athletic experience and support their mental and emotional health.

Meditation can be a powerful tool for athletes looking to enhance their mental and emotional well-being, but getting started can seem overwhelming. Here are some steps to help you begin your meditation practice:

Step 1: Set an Intention Before you begin meditating, it’s important to set an intention. What do you hope to achieve through meditation? Perhaps you want to improve your focus, reduce stress and anxiety, or develop mental resilience. Setting an intention will help you stay motivated and focused as you begin your practice.

Step 2: Find a Quiet Space Find a quiet space where you can meditate without interruption. This could be a spare room in your home, a park, or even your car. The key is to find a space where you feel comfortable and can focus without distraction.

Step 3: Get Comfortable Find a comfortable position to meditate in. You can sit on a cushion or a chair, or even lie down if that’s more comfortable for you. The most important thing is to find a position where you can relax and breathe deeply.

Step 4: Set a Time Limit When you’re just starting out, it can be helpful to set a time limit for your meditation practice. Begin with just five or ten minutes a day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend meditating as you become more comfortable with the practice.

Step 5: Focus on Your Breath One of the most common meditation techniques is to focus on your breath. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, then focus on the sensation of the breath moving in and out of your body. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breath.

Step 6: Experiment with Different Techniques There are many different meditation techniques to choose from, including guided meditations, visualization, and mindfulness practices. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

Step 7: Be Patient and Persistent Meditation is a practice, and it takes time and patience to see results. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate benefits. Stick with your practice and be persistent, and you’ll soon begin to see the positive effects on your mental and emotional well-being.

In conclusion, starting a meditation practice can seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can begin to experience the many benefits of this powerful practice. Remember to set an intention, find a quiet space, get comfortable, set a time limit, focus on your breath, experiment with different techniques, and be patient and persistent. With time and practice, meditation can help you become a more focused, resilient, and well-rounded athlete.

Stay tuned for the next article diving deeper into Visualization. To learn more about mental training programs, visit http://www.runfastjumphighsoccer.com

If at First, You Don’t Succeed, Fail and Fail Again – a lesson for us and for our children.

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How many times have you read or heard that the most successful people in the world failed over and over again, before succeeding?  Tons, right? Walt Disney declared bankruptcy 7 times; Michael Jordan was cut from his High School Basketball Team. Thomas Edison failed 1000 times…or did he? he maintained that it took him 1000 steps to invent the lightbulb.

Many of the world’s most successful people claim that failure is an important, if not required part of the process. Why is it then that so many people fear failure? For some the fear is so real that they practice avoidance, simply, they don’t put themselves in a position to fail.  To me, this is scary, not scary because people may be limiting their growth or missing out on countless opportunities, but that many of these people are raising children. And I don’t know many, if any, parents that do not love their kids so much that they will do almost anything to keep them from hurting.  That includes…allowing them to fail.

This is most notable in youth sports, too many anecdotes to share but it has become a real problem. More often than not, parents struggle to accept that their child just may not be as good, or may not work as hard as others, and so the blame goes to the coaches.  In reality, those are the struggles that most high performing athletes have overcome at some point in their careers, and it helped to shape them.  It is also evident in Academics, questioning the validity of Standardized Test Scores, blaming the educational institutions and teachers if their children fail to succeed.  It has gotten so bad (at least in my opinion) that some employers are allowing recent University Graduates to bring their parents to Job Interviews…just allow that to marinate for a minute.

So, let’s peel back the onion shall we…what could be the reason…Millennials, I blame the Millennials…Just kidding, although it is a common sentiment, or at least one that is used as a tongue in cheek reference. It is not the fault of That generation but more of the perceived outcome of the times that we live in.  As a Generation X-er, I feel fortunate that while I use the same technology, social media, etc. as everyone else, I grew up at a time when technology came in slowly.  I was exposed to albums, cassette tapes, CDs and DVDs and my first phone was a bag phone.  What does that mean for me and for my generation? That means that our parents were Baby Boomers who were themselves raised by the Greatest Generation where hard work trumped everything else and common expressions were…”if you get knocked down, get back up again, I don’t care what you do, as long as I don’t see it or hear about it”.  And if you got hurt on the playground or ball field, it was…”Rub some dirt on it and take a lap” or “Walk it off” as long as you did all of that and got home before the street lights came on.

Hard work and failure were a part of life growing up and it carried into adulthood.  The difference is that when we failed or made seriously questionable and just plain bad decisions, we did so outside of the public eye.  We didn’t have cell phones to record our every move.  Sure, I am sure a lot of us have that Fraternity Brother or classmate that will “Always have a job” if we endeavor into Public Office of some type, but there was no real evidence of our questionable or poor decisions and the life lessons that came from them other than the witnesses who were there to either participate or just watch.

The current tech landscape is so different and pervasive now, and it is no secret.  From participation awards to Internet Millionaires and YouTube Sensations and most recently, the desire to be TikTok Famous have become actual goals.  There is limited room for failure.  So much of the news is focused on the extreme, from extreme success to extreme failure and tragedy, that the expectation for wild success without the effort is a prevailing theme.  It is no wonder that there is a focus on the fear of failure and going to long lengths to protect our children.  But at what cost?

How many times have you either said or heard…”I just don’t my kids to have to suffer the way that I did?”  or the response, “Me neither, so I am doing everything in my power to prevent that?”  Think for a second about how you got to where you are today, that “Suffering” was likely not suffering at all but just common struggles, struggles with money, relationships, sports etc.  Those struggles turned into life lessons. We have all heard the famous Henry Ford quote that a “Failure to Plan is a Plan to Fail”. And I would bet that a lot of us have learned that lesson.  There you have it, WE learned by doing or not doing and thereby learned through failure.  That kind of thing only has to happen 1 or 2 times until someone changes their behavior. So if your own failure and your own challenges, changed your behavior, built character and turned you into the person that you are today, why would you not allow your children to learn the same life lessons and build their own character from their choices and their challenges?

These principles should apply to all aspects of life. Just look at Andy Reed, who just led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl Victory.  If you don’t think that he learned from the lessons of the 2005 Super Bowl or most recently, last year’s AFC Championship, you are nuts.  I am willing to bet that the reason that he brought Donovan McNabb to speak to his team before the Super Bowl, was to share his experiences and the lessons that he learned by getting so close but by ultimately, FAILING…but did he? Sure, he got to the Super Bowl and did not win, but that did not or does not make him a failure.

Do your children a favor, let them fail, over and over.  Support them and love them, but do not protect them from learning valuable life lessons and skills through overcoming adversity and the occasional crash and burn. You never know how learning to deal with failure, will shape their future unless you allow that to happen…as hard as that may seem.  Fail Forward.

Podcast- Coach Rich Rants- season 2 episode 2

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Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: The Problem with the Problem with US Youth Soccer – Player Identification https://anchor.fm/rfh8/episodes/The-Problem-with-the-Problem-with-US-Youth-Soccer—Player-Identification-e50mjo