Confidence with Mental Performance Coach Abby
What is confidence?
How does it play a role in my professional career?
The season has just kicked off for some of our skiers and soon to be for others. We have talked with mental performance coach Abby Reckinger to work on our confidence. It is so easy to get discouraged and sad if one, two or several races are not going the way you think they should - perhaps especially in the beginning of the season. At least I have felt that.
It is really hard to avoid losing some confidence if you are not performing the way you think you should.
However, like the stock market, performance tend to go up and down for most people (hopefully not as much as some stocks :D ), and that’s normal. But even if performance goes up and down, your confidence does not need to suffer. Be your own best friend and remind yourself of what you have done to prepare and what you are good at.
We asked questions some of these questions and she deep dives into what what we can do to stay confident and some tools we should all remind ourselves of in times of question.
- What strategies can I use to boost my confidence before important events?
To build your confidence, try these four things:
1. Replay your highlight reel. If you are an experienced skier, think back to your best performances and watch those races if you have them. Reflect on what you did well, and which mental skills may have helped you succeed. You have what it takes to ski fast, and you can do it again. Once you hit the start line, the hard work is done. Keeping a workout log or journal and flagging some great efforts can help you quickly remind yourself of all the successful training you’ve put in.
2. If you are new to skiing, recall a time when you were successful learning another new skill or performed well under pressure. Maybe it was when you took up running and were able to finish your first 5K or that time you signed up for a painting class and followed through until the end. Our past successes remind us that we have the skills it takes to learn and engage in a new behavior even if it’s not sport related.
3. Feed off other’s success and confidence. You might find it helpful to watch someone else with a similar skill level execute a great turn or stride technique. If they can do it, so can you! A bonus is that you can continue building a great Nordic community alongside your confidence.
4. Words matter. You can build confidence when others believe in you and praise your efforts or performance. Which people in your life can provide this type of confidence boost?
This boost can also come from your own self-talk. Each day, you talk to yourself more than anyone else. Are those words helpful or harmful? Consider what you might say to a friend who is struggling and try giving that encouragement or advice to yourself.
5. Adopt a helpful perspective. How you view and interpret experiences or nerves can have a significant impact on your confidence. In training, your muscles might begin to shake while holding a plank. Do you view this as debilitative because you are weak or facilitative because your muscles are working and getting stronger? On race day, think about how you feel and your assessments of those feelings. Do you view the butterflies in your stomach as excitement or a sign telling you that you never should have signed up in the first place? A change in perspective can help you feel more confident and capable.
- How do I maintain confidence, especially after a setback or a loss?
1. Show yourself some love. You wouldn’t tell your teammate that they suck after they lost a race, would you? Well, you shouldn’t tell yourself that either. You should show yourself the same compassion that you would to a friend. You will be upset after a setback, but that’s normal, and not something you should try to avoid. In fact, being self-compassionate means that you are aware of your suffering, but do not run from it. Accept that you did not achieve the desired outcome and nonjudgmentally think about what caused you to perform below your expectations. Was your pacing or fueling off in a distance race? That’s fine. All athletes fail. Those who forgive themselves quickly bounce back sooner. Analyze where you went wrong and learn from your mistakes.
2. Pick a target. If you face a setback, it’s natural to feel less confident. One way you can help yourself is by directing your thoughts toward a new goal. Did going out too hard cause you finish further back than you wanted to? Create a goal to practice your desired pacing during each over distance ski leading up to your next race. Are you facing an injury? Set goals for your rehabilitation to keep yourself on track. Give yourself something to aim for and you’ll be able to move on from your setbacks.
Thank you Abby and thanks for reading!
We are ready to be tough and confident and keep believing in ourselves - right?
Reach out to Abby if you have questions or could use a boost of confidence.
You can find her at her Website.
