Welcome to the last days of 2011. As I sit here reflecting back on my competitive year I thought I'd offer some nuggets of semi-wisdom and guidance -mental training style, of course- as you renew with a fresh set of 12 months. I encourage everyone to take honest stock of the here and now and move forward towards meeting your potential in 2012. It all starts with the a simple question:
Where are you at?
That is the first step in self-assessment. Be honest with yourself (brutally so if necessary). Did you accomplish what you set out to do? Did you exceed your own expectations? Here's some possible checkpoints:
- How are your habits (training, nutrition, sleep, recovery, etc.)?
- Where are you mentally/psychologically (optimistic, doubtful, apathetic)?
- How are your relationships?
- Are you enjoying yourself?
- My personal favorite: what's going or has gone right?
- What have you learned (about yourself, your sport, others, etc.)?
Take a few minutes to think those over. Then move on to the next step in your assessment:
Where are you going?
Okay, I'll admit this one is considerably more open-ended than the first question; although we have some control over our destiny, there are things that are inherently out of our hands. To at least put some guardrails up as you travel down the road of 2012, some notable checkpoints:
- What do you want to continue into the new year (see your previous answers)?
- Did you not accomplish something you wanted to? How can you close the deal?
- Are there habits that need improvement?
- Are you committed to the things you are pursuing?
- Who do I have in my corner to support me?
- How can I apply the lessons I have learned?
Take a moment and congratulate yourself on what you've already done so far in the past 12 months; big or small. Use and recruit others around you to help you become the best athlete and person you can be. Enjoy your sport(s) for their purest elements and don't forget why you do these things in the first place. I will leave you all with one of my all-time favorite quotes to sign this one off.
"That which we manifest is before us, we are in charge of our destiny". Author Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Happy New Year!
Stay the course.
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