Question:
“Ryan, my players struggle when we get down by a few goals. Why is that? It’s like we mentally collapse. Obviously you have seen this before… thoughts on fixing it?” Jimmy
Answer:
Jimmy, I have seen this happen many times in our game, but also many times in business and life. My point is that this skill that you coaches have a chance to develop in these young lives is one of the key skills that your players will need as a lawyer, doctor or an NHL player.
The first step toward creating real, positive, impacting change must start with teaching players to discipline their thinking.
Many of us have learned the hard way. The damage that can be done by giving negative thoughts a consistent place in our minds. Tony Robbins tells the story of a very healthy man who was scheduled for a routine prostate operation at a local hospital. After surgery, he was rolled on a stretcher into the wrong room, and the doctor consequently came in with the wrong file for this man. The doctor began in no uncertain terms to tell this man that, while performing his surgery, they had found a serious heart condition, as well as cancer. The man went home in shock, and died that evening of heart failure. Most athletes have learned the debilitating power of wrong thinking first hand. It quickly fosters a lack of confidence that can sabotage the best intentions and greatest talents. Worry is undisciplined thinking that harms our ambitions and our lives.
So, how do we develop our Mental-Toughness muscle?
One day after practice I asked Peter Twist, the well-respected strength and conditioning coach of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, “Just how does a muscle grow bigger and stronger?” He explained that you must bring the muscle to a position of exhaustion and then, when you believe in your heart that you have nothing left to give, take it just a little farther. As a result, microfibers tear in the muscle, and with rest, grow back bigger and stronger. Year after year, we see the same people in the same condition because they exercise just enough to maintain their present shape. They do not take their training to the edge.
Developing mental toughness is similar. We must make a conscious decision to spend focused energy exhausting the mental muscles that we want to see grow, strengthen and improve.
Some claim that they lack the personality to be mentally tough. Unfortunately, most people have the mistaken idea that mental toughness must be present from birth. While it may be true, that some of us grow larger muscles more easily than others, each of us can substantially improve our muscle mass through recognition, desire, and effort. Developing mental toughness has the same growth curve. We must recognize our need, want to improve, and focus our efforts towards the actions that give us the desired result. Once we recognize the need to begin the battle for our minds, we can then welcome the positive, and consciously discard any destructive thoughts. We have taken the first step towards developing the mental toughness that we need to help us compete.
Developing correct habits of thought is the precursor to success. The author Og Mandino said, “In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded, lies in the difference of their habits. Good habits are the key to success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure.” Substantial CHANGE in our attitudes and actions will happen as we choose to develop good habits of thought. According to James Allen, “You are today, where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow, where your thoughts take you.” Golf legend Bobby Jones put it this way: “Every game of golf is played on a six-and-a-half inch course… the distance between your ears.”
Mental toughness is choosing the thoughts you desire instead of ruminating on the thoughts that just happen. Mental toughness is the key to everything our players will ever do, so how do we get started changing their habitual thinking? Michael Jordan was asked once, “When did it all come together for you?” He replied, “PAIN actually drove me to win championships!” When we lost for the third time to the Detroit Pistons it ripped out my soul. Something shifted; I was tired of feeling that way again. I decided that I was going to dish out the pain. I began to really lift weights in the off-season and become strong and we were going to win no matter what.” Independent of what we are trying to improve on, Michael Jordan has given us the system…
• Decide to change
• Develop your HUNGRY spirit
• Begin to take action
Thanks for building next-gen leaders, coaches. Thanks for seeing these amazing kids you are coaching as more than just players.
Ryan Walter played 15 NHL Seasons and has a Masters Degree in Leadership/Business. He is a Leadership facilitator and speaks to Corporations, Organizations and Hockey Associations across North America. For information on booking Ryan or to purchase his books or board game Trade-Deadline Hockey go to www.ryanwalter.com |