Every few years, I think that it is in my best interest, as a sport psychologist, to try something new. Well, not just "something", but a new sport or activity that will challenge me on a new level. I find that stumbling over some of the obstacles that my athletes face is paramount to keeping a fresh, and dynamic perspective on mental toughness. The added benefit of this school of thought is that with the free of failure attitude I can try anything new, and I can have lots of fun in the process. I mean, the sport psychology consulting foundation has been laid, so why not continually enhance my own moral and physical courage along the way? And, then, I can re-visit, and experience tangible fears both of the ordinary and extraordinary realm. And, with those experiences, may I strike at the very heart your own sense of moral and physical courage. Let's begin with some known insights.
-Sport is a human-driven physical endeavor that is personal, passionate and involves mental discipline.
-The sport environment will continually present you with a series of challenges, and puzzles.
-Part of the appeal of the sports environment are the superbly diverse variables that illuminate our personal strengths and weaknesses.
Some of the above insights we are keenly aware of, and others are not nearly as transparent, or readily observed. This notion, is in part, what motivates us, and what may be absurdly frustrating to grasp. And, that in a nutshell, is the draw to keep coming back. Simply, if I didn't get it "right" this time, how can I get it "right" next time? Using my personal Duathlon experience, in the last 4 weeks, I have done three Duathlon events. And, each time, I have made a few minor mistakes. Mistakes to be made as a rookie, but perhaps not acceptable as an Elite performer. I have also learned from my mistakes, and wouldn't change any of my recent experiences. Part of our interest to problem-solve, and get it "right" the next time is what others outside of the endurance sport really may see as, dare I say--crazy. And, the intrinsic motivation is the inherent challenge of how solving the puzzle, and making the right choices for performance.
For your next endurance event, let your remarkable mind have the freedom to: fully engage in the experience; feel the passion of your participation; accept that you will learn from your mistakes; and, solve the mystery that enables you to take one step closer to optimal performance.
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