Girls4Sport (www.girls4sport.com), based in Santa Cruz,CA., designs and manufactures high quality performance clothing for active girls for all ages. Girls4Sport promote camps and clinics that provide learning opportunities and inspiration for girls of all ages to lead active lives. Leanne Salandro and Kim Ruby are co-owners of Girls4Sport. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Leanne & Kim about the company, and their peak performance perspective of business.
Interview with Leanne & Kim:
Z: Girls4Sport has grown quite a bit in the last 5 years.What are 3 essential ingredients for success that future female entrepreneurs should know before starting a business?
LS: Know that with every big step forward, there are side steps, backwards steps and quite a few stumble steps on the way, is #1. Be ready for anything and keep that sense of humor handy.
#2, all those steps, they just make you smarter (a bonus!). #3, follow what you know is right. We've had to make decisions based on money, time, resources, etc. but the biggest guiding force should always be what you know is best for your business and customers. That simply gets tempered by money, time, resources and all the rest.
Z: How does the statement, "Without Risk There Is No Success" apply to your success as a company?
LS: Without risking time, money and face, we wouldn't have anything but an idea, some sketches and some words on paper. We risked heading out into an industry we knew little about. We've tried and continue to try minimizing risks by asking questions of people who have a lot of experience doing the types of things we want to do. It's been a lifesaver for us and we're grateful for the wisdom that has helped minimize our risk when making big decisions. Finding smart people to answer questions has moved us forward safely more than anything else. It's been key to our success (and fewer backward steps).
Z: Can you name anything about running a business you know now but wish you had known when you were starting out?
LS: More often than not, it will often take longer than you think. We seem to have raging optimism and lofty ambitions that we daily need to reign in. From day one, our heads and hearts were light years ahead of where we are even today. A mixed blessing! We get impatient to meet goals but gain so much in getting there even if it does take a little longer than we thought.
Z: Are there any athletes' (role models) or business models that keep you focused on your company goals/vision for the future?
LS: We have such a wide range of inspiration to choose from and the pool of greatness grows continually. We both have friends who are amazing athletes who also have great careers. That is always a wonder. People like Arien O'Connell who surprised everyone at this year's Nike Women's Marathon in S.F. define inspiration. Arien is someone who quietly surprises us in the spotlight. She got there simply based on the love of what she does, who she is as a runner. That is both beautiful and uniquely powerful. From the business world, we've always had a fondness for Ben and Jerry's. Who ever thought you would get ethics, ice cream and a great plan for collective success? Admirable and delicious! We strive to be that kind of company. (Check out girls4sport website to see how they embrace the B&J model of philanthropy).
Z: Girls4Sport Foundation supports organizations and programs that provide girls of all ages with the skills, support and opportunity to lead active lives with confidence. In what ways does this branch of the organization inspire you?
LS: We get so many e-mails from people out there doing amazing things. E-mails that often bring tears to our eyes. For me personally, it reminds me that "female" and "athlete" are two words that didn't appear together until recent history. Pretty much within my lifetime. That continues to shock and amaze me. There were no great marathoners or triathaletes when my mom was a little girl. Who was her role model? It reminds me that we've got big ground to cover, time to make up, athletes of greatness yet to come. That fuels hope for me. As corny as it may sound, I'm deeply touched that the little girls of today have concrete proof, not just dreams and wondering, of accomplishing great things in both athletics, business, competition anything!
Z: You and Kim are both athletes and stay active surfing, mountain biking, running, hiking, swimming etc. Do you have any sport psychology tips that motivate you?
LS: For me, I always set a goal. Always a race or an event to strive for and frequently I'll focus on some type of goal for individual sessions if I'm lacking inspiration that day. There are some sports I do casually, like hiking, but without specific long term goals, I tend to sleep in a little longer, enjoy a few more treats, swim fewer laps, not do as many runs, I get a little lazy! Not only do goals keep me motivated but they keep me trying new things, new sports, new ways of doing things. I turn 40 this weekend and I hope I'm still dreaming up new goals when I'm 80!
Kim later add:
KR: Every phase of my life has had different levels of sports participation. Running a business and raising a little girl (both are 5 years old now!) keeps me busy and getting out and doing something for me refreshes my mind to take on new challenges not so much in sport but in life. What motivates me is simply staying fit, feeling good and clearing my mind so I can enjoy a healthy long life with my family.
Z: Happy Birthday Leanne...the "lazy"side of you is not a glaring part of your personality! Kim and Leanne, I look forward to Girls4Sport.com continuing it's upward journey of growth, success and ongoing health!
Readers: *What motivating forces energize your sport/business goals? What are the motivating long and short term goals you are pursuing for sport and business success in 2009?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tennis Legend Billie Jean King Donates Racket for Hula on the Bay
Tennis legend Billie Jean King has graciously stepped up and provided the Aunties of the U'ilani Fund an autographed racket for the upcoming fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 9th.
Sports visionary Billie Jean King, also known as "Mother of Modern Sports" over her entire career has lent her name and been a champion as a player and for causes all her life. Billie's accomplishments are profound:
* Won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 at Wimbledon.
* Was one of the players who broke away from the tennis establishment and accpeted $1 contracts from tennis promoter Glady's Heldman in Houston. The revolt led to the birth of the women's professional tennis and the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour and Women's Tennis Association.
* Empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history -the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. (Although Billie recalls the match not being that great competitively :-). The match between the two is remembered for its effect on society and its contribution to the women's movement.
* Founded the Women's Tennis Association (1973), The Women's Sports Foundation (1974), and Women's Sports Magazine (1974).
* Co-founded World TeamTennis (1974), the groundbreaking co-ed professional tennis league (which remains active today). She founded the World TeamTennis Recreational League, one of the most popular recreational tennis formates in the U.S.
* Billie was honored on August 28th, 2006 when the national Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of King's contributions to tennis, sports and society both on and off the court.
Here is a fabulous opportunity to bid on an auction item donated by the legendary Billie Jean King and support the generous cause of, The U'ilani Fund. The U'ilani Fund http://www.uilanifund.org/ was created in December of 2000. Since it began, the fund has given away over $100,000 to women seeking complementary care for breast cancer. The fund was developed by a group of friends who had a connection with Dr. Marina Lee U'ilani Bermudez who did not survive her battle with cancer. During U'i's illness she managed her pain and took part in activities she loved by utilizing available complementary care, acupunture, Chinese herbs, massage, Qu Gong and other alternative approaches to managing pain and stress.
To learn more about the upcoming "Hula on the Bay" which will also feature, The Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band and Dancers, local wines, tropical drinks, Cal-Hawaiian Cuisine, all on the historical Sherman Restaurant in Burlingame, http://www.theshermanrestaurant.com/ please go to http://www.uilanifund.org/ or purchase tickets on-line at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/. Select event title: Hulu on the Bay.
The aunties look forward to seeing you there!
Aloha
Sports visionary Billie Jean King, also known as "Mother of Modern Sports" over her entire career has lent her name and been a champion as a player and for causes all her life. Billie's accomplishments are profound:
* Won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 at Wimbledon.
* Was one of the players who broke away from the tennis establishment and accpeted $1 contracts from tennis promoter Glady's Heldman in Houston. The revolt led to the birth of the women's professional tennis and the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour and Women's Tennis Association.
* Empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history -the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. (Although Billie recalls the match not being that great competitively :-). The match between the two is remembered for its effect on society and its contribution to the women's movement.
* Founded the Women's Tennis Association (1973), The Women's Sports Foundation (1974), and Women's Sports Magazine (1974).
* Co-founded World TeamTennis (1974), the groundbreaking co-ed professional tennis league (which remains active today). She founded the World TeamTennis Recreational League, one of the most popular recreational tennis formates in the U.S.
* Billie was honored on August 28th, 2006 when the national Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of King's contributions to tennis, sports and society both on and off the court.
Here is a fabulous opportunity to bid on an auction item donated by the legendary Billie Jean King and support the generous cause of, The U'ilani Fund. The U'ilani Fund http://www.uilanifund.org/ was created in December of 2000. Since it began, the fund has given away over $100,000 to women seeking complementary care for breast cancer. The fund was developed by a group of friends who had a connection with Dr. Marina Lee U'ilani Bermudez who did not survive her battle with cancer. During U'i's illness she managed her pain and took part in activities she loved by utilizing available complementary care, acupunture, Chinese herbs, massage, Qu Gong and other alternative approaches to managing pain and stress.
To learn more about the upcoming "Hula on the Bay" which will also feature, The Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band and Dancers, local wines, tropical drinks, Cal-Hawaiian Cuisine, all on the historical Sherman Restaurant in Burlingame, http://www.theshermanrestaurant.com/ please go to http://www.uilanifund.org/ or purchase tickets on-line at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/. Select event title: Hulu on the Bay.
The aunties look forward to seeing you there!
Aloha
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bright Young Female Athletes of Today
I had the pleasure of participating as a speaker and participant at the StoneFit Professional Women Athletes Career Conference, in S.F. last weekend and was impressed by the young and talented female athletes that attended. The choices of sport careers for young women of today has expanded tremendously. Although most sports outside of tennis, or golf don't provide enough substantial prize money to actually live on the winnings. The quest for sponsorship from companies to keep the professional dream alive is a true challenge for these women. For many others they must keep under the umbrella of an Olympic team to further their athletic adventures.
The goal of the two day conference was to help professional women athletes by including new information on training, conditioning and injury prevention. As part of the weekend, CrossFit trainer, Kelly Starrett and Eva Twardokens gave attendees an opportunity to participate in morning work-outs. It was impressive how quickly, Olympians and athletes who work-out on a regular basis can be exhausted! Applause goes out to Amy Seiwert, the dancer in our group work-out, who danced for the Smuin Ballet for nine years and now is a choreographer....she showed up and pushed, pulled, jumped and ran along with all of us!
I hope my presentation in the career development sector of the conference, "Maximizing the Athletic Transition" connected with some of the audience. Successful or not the paid athletic career is a quick window of opportunity. Many of the sporting dangers of the skiers left me with the impression that their time can be particularly short. Transition out of sport happens for a variety of reasons. Transition motivators include,
Age, De-selection, Injury or Chronic Illness, Goal Fulfillment.
Why do athletes put off exploring the next phase of their professional careers?
Common Myths:
a) Planning for life after sport interferes with focusing on current achievements.
b) Being an athlete, "I don't know how to do anything else." (concept makes some sense since being an athlete you have been competing, training and traveling, vs. looking at other aspects of your career goals.
c) No other profession could ever be as satisifying.
Myth Busters:
a) Research studies suggest that post athletic career planning actually lessens anxiety about the transition process.
b)Athletes develop transferable skill strengths through-out their athletic training and competitive experiences. (Ask me what they are and I will give you a list).
c) Post athletic careers take a different form and can be more broadly life fulfilling. ( I offered plenty of examples during my talk).
Process of Transitioning:
Keep in mind that as an athlete when you retire from competitive sport you still have many productive career years left.
Similar to visualizing your development in sport you begin to visualize your post career professional life. For most people career development is a gradual process. Each experience builds into the next.
Some women athletes that attended the conference, will make it onto the podium and hold up the big prize and hopefully convert the victory into dollars and endorsements. Others will continue to try. Both athletes will bring a tremendous amount of enterprise and energy to the table in their next careers.....thank you for sharing your stories with me.
Thanks to, Dr. Kevin and Susan Stone of the Stone Clinic
Brett Ortiz
Trish Fong and the rest of the Stone Clinic Staff for their time and putting on a fun event.
Congratulations to SheJumps
Thanks,
Bee K.
Career path is not typically a linear process, where are you now in your professional career?
The goal of the two day conference was to help professional women athletes by including new information on training, conditioning and injury prevention. As part of the weekend, CrossFit trainer, Kelly Starrett and Eva Twardokens gave attendees an opportunity to participate in morning work-outs. It was impressive how quickly, Olympians and athletes who work-out on a regular basis can be exhausted! Applause goes out to Amy Seiwert, the dancer in our group work-out, who danced for the Smuin Ballet for nine years and now is a choreographer....she showed up and pushed, pulled, jumped and ran along with all of us!
I hope my presentation in the career development sector of the conference, "Maximizing the Athletic Transition" connected with some of the audience. Successful or not the paid athletic career is a quick window of opportunity. Many of the sporting dangers of the skiers left me with the impression that their time can be particularly short. Transition out of sport happens for a variety of reasons. Transition motivators include,
Age, De-selection, Injury or Chronic Illness, Goal Fulfillment.
Why do athletes put off exploring the next phase of their professional careers?
Common Myths:
a) Planning for life after sport interferes with focusing on current achievements.
b) Being an athlete, "I don't know how to do anything else." (concept makes some sense since being an athlete you have been competing, training and traveling, vs. looking at other aspects of your career goals.
c) No other profession could ever be as satisifying.
Myth Busters:
a) Research studies suggest that post athletic career planning actually lessens anxiety about the transition process.
b)Athletes develop transferable skill strengths through-out their athletic training and competitive experiences. (Ask me what they are and I will give you a list).
c) Post athletic careers take a different form and can be more broadly life fulfilling. ( I offered plenty of examples during my talk).
Process of Transitioning:
Keep in mind that as an athlete when you retire from competitive sport you still have many productive career years left.
Similar to visualizing your development in sport you begin to visualize your post career professional life. For most people career development is a gradual process. Each experience builds into the next.
Some women athletes that attended the conference, will make it onto the podium and hold up the big prize and hopefully convert the victory into dollars and endorsements. Others will continue to try. Both athletes will bring a tremendous amount of enterprise and energy to the table in their next careers.....thank you for sharing your stories with me.
Thanks to, Dr. Kevin and Susan Stone of the Stone Clinic
Brett Ortiz
Trish Fong and the rest of the Stone Clinic Staff for their time and putting on a fun event.
Congratulations to SheJumps
Thanks,
Bee K.
Career path is not typically a linear process, where are you now in your professional career?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Raising the Ceiling of Possibilities
Congratulations to all the Beijing Olympians and the many amazing performances they have produced so far during these Games. Congratulations to the steadfast support people that have and currently participate in the athletes journey of success. The parents who created the opportunity for an athlete to participate in sport, knowledgeable coaches, nutritionists, sport psychology counselors and consultants, sport medicine docs who continue to develop treatments for faster injury recovery, physical therapists, resistant stretching coaches etc....The athlete becomes the super star on stage for all to watch - the spotlight performance. After years and years, hours and hours of training, competing, developing their physical and mental skills they've won their spot in the "big show." (Opening ceremonies was a decadent beginning).
Noteworthy during the very visible successes of athletes such as Michael Phelps and Dara Torres is that in their success they raise the bar of possiblities for every young or aging athlete who will follow in the years to come. Achieving such success at their level, because of fantastic talent coupled with refinement of expanding knowledge in sport science creates opportunity. At the junior, collegiate, senior and social recreational level, coaches and athletes listen closely to pick up more information about the Olympians process and what they can add to their work-outs to become better performers. The Olympics is the vehicle to display the athletic goods, but the overall athletic process is the ingredient worth taking time to study. Success from the super stars bump up the the level of sport in every bracket of participation, because it expands peoples belief in possibilities for their own athletic accomplishments. As the innovations of sport science expand, the information continues to improve and trickle down into the general sport populace and as a results broadens choices of physical and mental training.
So much gratitude to all the Olympians who continue to raise the bar of athletic development and offer the rest of the world the gift of these amazing performances!
On the other hand are there are problems and issues to address as sport participation advances.
Kids "chosen" for athletic greatness, leaving for academies while still in childhood. (Although most countries do have a system or methodology to gage the probability of a child having the genetic potential to become a great athlete). In some situations sport is the great hope for a family to made ends meet. When the athlete reaches stardom the lives and future of the family change forever. The now have life choices they never would have been offered before.
This occurs in the U.S.A. and in other countries. There are athletes who benefit but others who don't make it through the academy systems. This is a long study in and of itself. Athletes who don't recover from early injuries due to over use, a fall, or other injuries. The taboo of discussing homosexuality in sport continues to scare people. Which is interesting because most athletes know who is and is not homosexual. The subject matter appears to be a bigger issue for administrations than the athletes. Gender and the particular sport makes a difference as to the level of queasiness this topic of discussion produces. The use of steroids and designer drugs will continue to be a hot topic in the years to come. But again the drive for excellence alters athletes and spectators. Sport continues to evolve and with it the athletes who participate, their support systems, and the audience that are drawn to watch.
Keep raising the bar of excellence.
Noteworthy during the very visible successes of athletes such as Michael Phelps and Dara Torres is that in their success they raise the bar of possiblities for every young or aging athlete who will follow in the years to come. Achieving such success at their level, because of fantastic talent coupled with refinement of expanding knowledge in sport science creates opportunity. At the junior, collegiate, senior and social recreational level, coaches and athletes listen closely to pick up more information about the Olympians process and what they can add to their work-outs to become better performers. The Olympics is the vehicle to display the athletic goods, but the overall athletic process is the ingredient worth taking time to study. Success from the super stars bump up the the level of sport in every bracket of participation, because it expands peoples belief in possibilities for their own athletic accomplishments. As the innovations of sport science expand, the information continues to improve and trickle down into the general sport populace and as a results broadens choices of physical and mental training.
So much gratitude to all the Olympians who continue to raise the bar of athletic development and offer the rest of the world the gift of these amazing performances!
On the other hand are there are problems and issues to address as sport participation advances.
Kids "chosen" for athletic greatness, leaving for academies while still in childhood. (Although most countries do have a system or methodology to gage the probability of a child having the genetic potential to become a great athlete). In some situations sport is the great hope for a family to made ends meet. When the athlete reaches stardom the lives and future of the family change forever. The now have life choices they never would have been offered before.
This occurs in the U.S.A. and in other countries. There are athletes who benefit but others who don't make it through the academy systems. This is a long study in and of itself. Athletes who don't recover from early injuries due to over use, a fall, or other injuries. The taboo of discussing homosexuality in sport continues to scare people. Which is interesting because most athletes know who is and is not homosexual. The subject matter appears to be a bigger issue for administrations than the athletes. Gender and the particular sport makes a difference as to the level of queasiness this topic of discussion produces. The use of steroids and designer drugs will continue to be a hot topic in the years to come. But again the drive for excellence alters athletes and spectators. Sport continues to evolve and with it the athletes who participate, their support systems, and the audience that are drawn to watch.
Keep raising the bar of excellence.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sport Psychology Consultants
The term "Peak Performance" has come a long way in the last 10 years. It has developed into a commonly used buzz word in business, athletics and day to day living. More than ever there is a link between the word peak performance and sport psychology consultant.
In the book, "Applied Sport Psychology,"(1993), Ken Ravizza, Ph.D. (kinesiology) a sport psychology consultant interviewed 20 male and female athletes from a range of competitive skill levels in twelve different sports his research findings report that the act of being in a state of "peak performance" to these athletes included: loss of fear-no fear of failure, no thinking of performance, total immersion in the activity, effortless performance, feeling of being in complete control.
Jim Loehr, Ph.D.(education) in the same chapter concluded through his hundreds of interviews with athletes that athletic performance could be increased through a combination of feelings which include:
high energy(challenge, inspiration, determination, intensity), fun and enjoyment, no pressure, optimism and positiveness, mental calmness, confidence etc....
For a moment let's accept that two Ph.D's with different academic backgrounds can help establish an orientation of the word "peak peformance." But what is the definition of a sport psychology consultant? Are training people in peak performance skills the only service they provide?
The Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) puts out a helpful guideline for choosing sport psychology consultants and guidelines for what the differences between consultants and services may offer. In the AASP guidelines for choosing a sport psychology consultant they suggest, "Professionals who provide sport psychology services generally take one of two academic routes to obtain their credentials: the sport science route (through physical education or kinesiology programs) or the psychology route (through clinical
or counseling psychology programs).
Guidelines: Sport psychology consultants may provide a variety of services. Some providers have combined their training to include sport science and counseling psychlogy services. So when you are thinking about hiring a sport psychology consultant ask yourself the following:
-What types of services am I looking for? Ex: a sport psychology consultant who develops performance enhancement programs for an individual or a team? A sport psychology consultant who is skilled in teaching specific mental, behavioral, psychosocial and emotional control skills for sport. A sport psychology consultant who can help with parental or coach pressure and/or team dynamics. A sport psychology practitioner that can work with injured athletes on the mental aspects of injury and preparing to re-enter the sport competitively.
- Ask, what specific licensing, certifications, credentials, academic training and experience does this professional have that will assist in providing those services?
Sport psychology is a growing aspect of sport culture at every level of participation. Whether the players are professional, collegiate, high school, youth or seniors, the field offers athletes, coaches, families, teams, a variety of useful services. Spend some time thinking about what services you want and do a little research to figure out who is qualified to provide them.
For further information check out: http://www.aaasponline.com/
In the book, "Applied Sport Psychology,"(1993), Ken Ravizza, Ph.D. (kinesiology) a sport psychology consultant interviewed 20 male and female athletes from a range of competitive skill levels in twelve different sports his research findings report that the act of being in a state of "peak performance" to these athletes included: loss of fear-no fear of failure, no thinking of performance, total immersion in the activity, effortless performance, feeling of being in complete control.
Jim Loehr, Ph.D.(education) in the same chapter concluded through his hundreds of interviews with athletes that athletic performance could be increased through a combination of feelings which include:
high energy(challenge, inspiration, determination, intensity), fun and enjoyment, no pressure, optimism and positiveness, mental calmness, confidence etc....
For a moment let's accept that two Ph.D's with different academic backgrounds can help establish an orientation of the word "peak peformance." But what is the definition of a sport psychology consultant? Are training people in peak performance skills the only service they provide?
The Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) puts out a helpful guideline for choosing sport psychology consultants and guidelines for what the differences between consultants and services may offer. In the AASP guidelines for choosing a sport psychology consultant they suggest, "Professionals who provide sport psychology services generally take one of two academic routes to obtain their credentials: the sport science route (through physical education or kinesiology programs) or the psychology route (through clinical
or counseling psychology programs).
Guidelines: Sport psychology consultants may provide a variety of services. Some providers have combined their training to include sport science and counseling psychlogy services. So when you are thinking about hiring a sport psychology consultant ask yourself the following:
-What types of services am I looking for? Ex: a sport psychology consultant who develops performance enhancement programs for an individual or a team? A sport psychology consultant who is skilled in teaching specific mental, behavioral, psychosocial and emotional control skills for sport. A sport psychology consultant who can help with parental or coach pressure and/or team dynamics. A sport psychology practitioner that can work with injured athletes on the mental aspects of injury and preparing to re-enter the sport competitively.
- Ask, what specific licensing, certifications, credentials, academic training and experience does this professional have that will assist in providing those services?
Sport psychology is a growing aspect of sport culture at every level of participation. Whether the players are professional, collegiate, high school, youth or seniors, the field offers athletes, coaches, families, teams, a variety of useful services. Spend some time thinking about what services you want and do a little research to figure out who is qualified to provide them.
For further information check out: http://www.aaasponline.com/
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Finding Articles
Requests for clarity regarding the magazine links to the article from my web site:
Six Smart Tips for Coaching the Adolescent Brain. The articles from the links provided on the bottom of the page may be accessed by going to http://abc7chicago.com/ clicking onto the
"health" section on the left side of the page and inputting, The Teenage Brain April 14th, 2004
by Judy Hsu.
Also, http://www.usaweekend.com/ in the "find articles" space provided put in, The Teen Brain
Tim Wendel May 18th, 2003.
That should do it! The other articles can be found on line by Googling "teenage brain articles."
Enjoy the education.
Six Smart Tips for Coaching the Adolescent Brain. The articles from the links provided on the bottom of the page may be accessed by going to http://abc7chicago.com/ clicking onto the
"health" section on the left side of the page and inputting, The Teenage Brain April 14th, 2004
by Judy Hsu.
Also, http://www.usaweekend.com/ in the "find articles" space provided put in, The Teen Brain
Tim Wendel May 18th, 2003.
That should do it! The other articles can be found on line by Googling "teenage brain articles."
Enjoy the education.
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Eye "I" Exam
The previous entry explored the idea an athletes performance benefits when they are able to recognize and switch out of negative feedback loops. "Athlete" in this blog entry will refer to any player age 12 and older participating in competitive sports at any skill level.
Some clues that an athlete is caught in a reoccurring negative loop can be observed in attitude, body language, emotional state and internal mental dialogue to name a few.
When positive emotion and behavior are left on the sidelines it often affects a players ability to perform at an optimal level. All athletes encounter times of doubt, worry, anxiety, nervousness, disappointment, anger etc. Successful athletes are those that have an awareness and the tools to flip their attention and mental focus when they discover themselves falling into the negativity loop. Negative symptoms and pitfalls can occur during practices, and/or competition.
The following "I" Exam is a nonclinical, playful self-guide to assess whether a player has and utilizes the tools to effectively problem solve and adapt to challenging situations by shifting negative mental energy and actions to positive thoughts, feelings and stategies. The examples in this guide have been gathered over the years as common complaints and situations of tennis players. But it can be generalized to other sports.
All performers encounter situations where nothing is going as planned. The following are two sample catagories. The first catagory frequently ends up becoming an emotional "drop-off" where the player reports an inability to bring their "A" game into play. Lingering focus on these negative distractions often become an obstacle to ongoing learning, and block effective problem solving energies that are necessary to meet unexpected challenges that are part of engaging in competition at any level. The first catagory is "Energy Drain."
The second catagory "Energy Builder" relates to the player who recognizes challenges and makes a shift to a positive response(flipping the switch). Think back to the last high pressure competitive situation you faced and your responses.
(Catagory-1) CHEATERS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS
a)_______Competing against an opponent known for dishonest and close line calls. Your mental dialogue fails you. "I can't compete against cheaters. Everytime I hit near a line he/she calls the ball out. I feel tense and afraid to hit my shots. I can't win against cheaters.
b)______ I hate playing moonballers, soft hitters etc. I am a big hitter and I play my best when I play big hitters like myself. I don't care if I hit the fence with my shots I refuse to be a pusher.
Ok, so what I lost in 45 minutes but I played my game.
c)______ If it hadn't been so windy I would have won the match. Playing in the wind is tortuous. The wind is my nemesis. The next time it is windy I may decide to default and not bother playing the match.
d)______My opponent grunts, stalls, etc. I can't get into my playing rhythm because of my opponents annoying gamesmanship. I may even start grunting just to let my opponent know how annoying he/she sounds.
e)______I am angry at my coach. I am angry at the team captain etc. I've been put into the top spot against the opposing team and I'm being sacrificed. I don't care if I win or not I'm just showing up.
f)______Anger works for me. When I become angry in a match I feel more tuned in as my energy level rises. I've broken rackets but at least it shows I am passionate about winning. When I play doubles my anger seems to make my partner uncomfortable but too bad.
(catagory-2) PROBLEM-SOLVING AND OTHER IDEAS
a)______ This opponent is cheating. I've questioned the calls I think are incorrect. I took time out to see if I could locate a referee to monitor this match. I've checked in with my emotional state. I know I am becoming really impatient with this behavior. I shift my thoughts and feelings from "victim" to taking responsibility for the things I can control right now on my side of the court.
b)______This opponent has a style of play that is difficult for me to play against. I knew I was going to play this opponent and created a plan of patience for the match. I noticed my compulsion to force the points early on in the match. My aggressiveness was creating too many unforced errors. As much as I don't care for this style of play I respect how its made me a better player as I learn patience and create the opportunities to effectively counter-attack.
c)______Weather conditions often affect my mood and energy level. It is easy for me to be distracted and bogged down with frustrating thoughts and feelings when I play in windy conditions. I balance this awareness and use the time in between points and change-overs to
reinforce my game plan and stay with positive actions and thoughts. My body posture sends a message of strength and positive, engaged energy. I know my opponent doesn't care for these weather conditions either. I am not willing to spend time and energy on the negatives of playing in the wind. I direct my thoughts and performance to useful energy and problem solving.
d)_______The distractions that my opponent generates doesn't affect my energy or mental focus. I don't give away my energy by spending time worrying about what my opponent is doing on his/her side of the net. If my opponent is drifting outside the allotted rules of play I will seek out available resources to remedy the situation. If there are no resources available I accept this
annoyance as an amusing challenge versus a threat to my ability to perform.
e)______There are situations where our captain thinks it useful to alter the line-up and move our stronger players into slots that they will likely play against a weaker team for a "sure win."
The opposing team may play their line-up "straight-up" and since I am the "sacrifice" player potentially I can face a really strong opponent. The opposing team may also alter their line-up and I could end up playing the person I would have played in my original spot. Either way I am excited for the opportunity to compete. If I win against a stronger opponent it benefits my ranking points. If I lose it is a fantastic opportunity to experience competing against a strong opponent. If I lose to an opponent of my equal ability......well.......I guess I need to work on my game!
f)_______James Loehr, Ed.D writes in his book Toughness Training for Life, "the perception of
threat (losing) leads to a condition of negative arousal....linking negative arousal with the stress hormone cortisol has been associated with feelings of anxiety, tension, helplessness and loss of control." "The physiobiological mobilization process associated with perception of challenge (versus fear) is called positive arousal." Emotional competitiveness is characterized by emotional flexibility, responsiveness, clarity and the capacity to make useful adaptations in a losing situation. When I am in pressure situations I know how to keep track of my energy. I am able to stay positive, and never give up. When the match is over and if I lost I can learn from it and let it go.
Conclusion:
Add up your check marks. The number of check marks is self-explanatory. Are you draining more energy than building in stressful athletic situations? If there are an equal amount of check marks in each catagory the good news is you can improve your positive energy skills. When an athlete carries some level of negativity, doubt etc...onto the playing arena it doesn't guarantee losing. When the opponent isn't as skilled or experienced, negative energy may affect the experience of the players but it won't necessarily determine the outcome. When skills levels and abilities are equal, attitude, positive body language, emotional resiliancy etc. become factors.
Is developing positive performance energy as simplistic as "flipping the lense" of your thinking and behavior? Not really. An individuals personality, environment, sport-culture and training in this area of performance usually take time to develop. Overtime with persistence and chosing to select effective positive responses to stress and challenge a player is capable of building their resiliancy. This response becomes more automatic over time.
Get tough......and have fun.
Some clues that an athlete is caught in a reoccurring negative loop can be observed in attitude, body language, emotional state and internal mental dialogue to name a few.
When positive emotion and behavior are left on the sidelines it often affects a players ability to perform at an optimal level. All athletes encounter times of doubt, worry, anxiety, nervousness, disappointment, anger etc. Successful athletes are those that have an awareness and the tools to flip their attention and mental focus when they discover themselves falling into the negativity loop. Negative symptoms and pitfalls can occur during practices, and/or competition.
The following "I" Exam is a nonclinical, playful self-guide to assess whether a player has and utilizes the tools to effectively problem solve and adapt to challenging situations by shifting negative mental energy and actions to positive thoughts, feelings and stategies. The examples in this guide have been gathered over the years as common complaints and situations of tennis players. But it can be generalized to other sports.
All performers encounter situations where nothing is going as planned. The following are two sample catagories. The first catagory frequently ends up becoming an emotional "drop-off" where the player reports an inability to bring their "A" game into play. Lingering focus on these negative distractions often become an obstacle to ongoing learning, and block effective problem solving energies that are necessary to meet unexpected challenges that are part of engaging in competition at any level. The first catagory is "Energy Drain."
The second catagory "Energy Builder" relates to the player who recognizes challenges and makes a shift to a positive response(flipping the switch). Think back to the last high pressure competitive situation you faced and your responses.
(Catagory-1) CHEATERS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS
a)_______Competing against an opponent known for dishonest and close line calls. Your mental dialogue fails you. "I can't compete against cheaters. Everytime I hit near a line he/she calls the ball out. I feel tense and afraid to hit my shots. I can't win against cheaters.
b)______ I hate playing moonballers, soft hitters etc. I am a big hitter and I play my best when I play big hitters like myself. I don't care if I hit the fence with my shots I refuse to be a pusher.
Ok, so what I lost in 45 minutes but I played my game.
c)______ If it hadn't been so windy I would have won the match. Playing in the wind is tortuous. The wind is my nemesis. The next time it is windy I may decide to default and not bother playing the match.
d)______My opponent grunts, stalls, etc. I can't get into my playing rhythm because of my opponents annoying gamesmanship. I may even start grunting just to let my opponent know how annoying he/she sounds.
e)______I am angry at my coach. I am angry at the team captain etc. I've been put into the top spot against the opposing team and I'm being sacrificed. I don't care if I win or not I'm just showing up.
f)______Anger works for me. When I become angry in a match I feel more tuned in as my energy level rises. I've broken rackets but at least it shows I am passionate about winning. When I play doubles my anger seems to make my partner uncomfortable but too bad.
(catagory-2) PROBLEM-SOLVING AND OTHER IDEAS
a)______ This opponent is cheating. I've questioned the calls I think are incorrect. I took time out to see if I could locate a referee to monitor this match. I've checked in with my emotional state. I know I am becoming really impatient with this behavior. I shift my thoughts and feelings from "victim" to taking responsibility for the things I can control right now on my side of the court.
b)______This opponent has a style of play that is difficult for me to play against. I knew I was going to play this opponent and created a plan of patience for the match. I noticed my compulsion to force the points early on in the match. My aggressiveness was creating too many unforced errors. As much as I don't care for this style of play I respect how its made me a better player as I learn patience and create the opportunities to effectively counter-attack.
c)______Weather conditions often affect my mood and energy level. It is easy for me to be distracted and bogged down with frustrating thoughts and feelings when I play in windy conditions. I balance this awareness and use the time in between points and change-overs to
reinforce my game plan and stay with positive actions and thoughts. My body posture sends a message of strength and positive, engaged energy. I know my opponent doesn't care for these weather conditions either. I am not willing to spend time and energy on the negatives of playing in the wind. I direct my thoughts and performance to useful energy and problem solving.
d)_______The distractions that my opponent generates doesn't affect my energy or mental focus. I don't give away my energy by spending time worrying about what my opponent is doing on his/her side of the net. If my opponent is drifting outside the allotted rules of play I will seek out available resources to remedy the situation. If there are no resources available I accept this
annoyance as an amusing challenge versus a threat to my ability to perform.
e)______There are situations where our captain thinks it useful to alter the line-up and move our stronger players into slots that they will likely play against a weaker team for a "sure win."
The opposing team may play their line-up "straight-up" and since I am the "sacrifice" player potentially I can face a really strong opponent. The opposing team may also alter their line-up and I could end up playing the person I would have played in my original spot. Either way I am excited for the opportunity to compete. If I win against a stronger opponent it benefits my ranking points. If I lose it is a fantastic opportunity to experience competing against a strong opponent. If I lose to an opponent of my equal ability......well.......I guess I need to work on my game!
f)_______James Loehr, Ed.D writes in his book Toughness Training for Life, "the perception of
threat (losing) leads to a condition of negative arousal....linking negative arousal with the stress hormone cortisol has been associated with feelings of anxiety, tension, helplessness and loss of control." "The physiobiological mobilization process associated with perception of challenge (versus fear) is called positive arousal." Emotional competitiveness is characterized by emotional flexibility, responsiveness, clarity and the capacity to make useful adaptations in a losing situation. When I am in pressure situations I know how to keep track of my energy. I am able to stay positive, and never give up. When the match is over and if I lost I can learn from it and let it go.
Conclusion:
Add up your check marks. The number of check marks is self-explanatory. Are you draining more energy than building in stressful athletic situations? If there are an equal amount of check marks in each catagory the good news is you can improve your positive energy skills. When an athlete carries some level of negativity, doubt etc...onto the playing arena it doesn't guarantee losing. When the opponent isn't as skilled or experienced, negative energy may affect the experience of the players but it won't necessarily determine the outcome. When skills levels and abilities are equal, attitude, positive body language, emotional resiliancy etc. become factors.
Is developing positive performance energy as simplistic as "flipping the lense" of your thinking and behavior? Not really. An individuals personality, environment, sport-culture and training in this area of performance usually take time to develop. Overtime with persistence and chosing to select effective positive responses to stress and challenge a player is capable of building their resiliancy. This response becomes more automatic over time.
Get tough......and have fun.
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