The Most Powerful Advice I Ever Received: “Just because it failed doesn’t mean you’re a failure”
Just because it failed, doesn’t mean you’re a failure. I heard this for the first time when I was in my early 20’s. Having completed an arduous laboratory experiment which required many repetitions over weeks of work, I could draw a conclusion about my hypothesis: it was wrong. Trial after trial proved my result: negative. […]
The Pygmalion Effect: Believing in them can help them succeed
It’s not just myth. Expecting them to succeed can increase the chances they will. It’s called the Pygmalion effect and it’s real. Here’s how it played out for me. *** “Wish me luck! I’m headed out to play nine,” I call to Penny, the assistant golf pro, as I turn toward the door. The day […]
Facilitating the Mental Game with Athlete Journals
Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that easy. You have to read between the lines. Which means…get it in writing. I’ve had some […]
Failure Isn’t fatal
Failure isn’t fatal, it’s fortunate. In fact, it’s necessary. Somehow, failure has come to be synonymous with worthless, hopeless, futureless and bad. We hear it as a judgment on ourselves, our kids, and our families. You’re a total failure. Take your ball and go home. We don’t want you here. Can we take a new […]
When Good Sportsmanship Doesn’t Make the Cut
“Nice guys finish last.” It stings to be the parent of the kid whose primary objective was “to be a good teammate” as she is cut from the high school JV squad. Why does it hurt so much? Because, for her whole life you have been teaching her that sportsmanship is the main thing. Surely […]
Want Them to Play with Urgency? Tell them the Final Whistle is About to Sound
A goal down and five minutes on the clock. There’s nothing like the play of a team in the final minutes of the game. There’s focus, determination, energy, persistence. They throw caution to the wind and attack relentlessly. They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Go for it! When the final whistle is […]
Good Job, Good Effort — Really?
Rewind to June 2012: The Boston Celtics win Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat and go up 3-2 in the series. The ever-present TV cameras catch the mood of the losing team as they head into the locker room after the devastating loss before a home crowd. Listen to the kid […]
What Color is Your Fitness? Take the Quiz
What’s your fitness color? Really. Your fitness has a personality and a color. So says author Suzanne Brue, who wrote The 8 Colors of Fitness: Discover Your Color-Coded Fitness Personality and Create an Exercise Program You’ll Never Quit. Take her quiz here. Find out your “fitness color.” See if you agree. Author Suzanne Brue, building on the […]
Pain AND Gain: On the Edge of Injury AND Glory
I got to spend my mornings last week with the First Ladies of soccer, the Washington Spirit. I have never seen that kind of soccer quite so up close and personal. These women are phenomenal. Just standing by, I can hardly believe the power and accuracy and quickness of their ball drills and their small-sided […]
Want to help your female athletes think and play with confidence? Write it down
Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that easy. You have to read between the lines. Which means…get it in writing. I’ve had […]
