When a client visits an optometrist to have their vision tested they most likely sit in a chair and the doc at some point during the appointment asks the client to look through several different lenses to find the right corrective adjustment to fit their visual distortions. The doc presents several lens choices and the tester typically is asked to respond to the various lenses presented. As the doc flips the lense file the client is asked, "does this make reading the letters of the eye chart"
-Easier
-The same
-Or worse
The client focuses on the selections and gives simple feedback responses to the selections and whether their vision, improves, stays the same or worsens during the choices. Using this template for emotions an athlete can ask him/herself is my behavior in this situation making my present situation, better? Keeping it the same? Or worsening?
Athletes who become stuck in their emotions have a tendency to respond with old patterns
(the same vision of what has happened and is going to happen) of behavior that frequently activate the same cycle of reactions that often create a losing situation. Even when that reaction time and time again hasn't proven to be smart, productive nor helpful in creating the options and responses the athlete is striving for.
So next time you are near to experiencing a melt down, try flipping the lens of your thought process, behavior, perceptions so your emotions have an opportunity to adjust and offer you a clearer vision of what is needed to succeed. If you haven't established tools to be able to stop, check in, and adapt to the need to do something different, or have the tools to choose something different, you will most likely continue with the same murky vision. When was your last check up!
Next time: The Eye "I" Exam.
