Moving athletes from A to B.

Moving athletes from Point A to Point B is a challenging process. However, as my experience grows in this field, I’ve found that for as challenging and complex as it is, it is also strikingly simple. I’d like to share with you the complexities as well as the simplicity of the work I do as I move athletes from point to point. In doing so, I hope to open a window into the work that mental performance coaches do and also extend an invitation for you to consider how you can move from point to point in your life.

Let’s start with the complexity of determining Point A and Point B. 

What is Point B? Where are we trying to get to? What is it that we’re after? What’s the destination? For some these are easy questions to answer, but I think for most athletes (and people) it’s hard to point towards something and say “that’s what I want and that’s where I’m going”. Why? Because it’s scary to put ourselves out there.. What if we can’t get there? What if we fall short? Naturally, in an effort to protect ourselves, doubt and fear holds us back from putting Point B on the map. Many times it takes my athletes a handful of sessions to mark Point B on the map because we have to work through that doubt, fear and hesitation. And the biggest tool that conquers doubt and fear is an athlete's passion.. their love for what they do and the goals and dreams they hold close to their hearts. Without identifying and using those things as a guide, Point B is sometimes never put on the map. My job is to help athletes identify their passion, love, goals and dreams and help them put Point B on the map.. whatever it may be. 

Identifying Point A has its challenges too. For many athletes (and people) plotting Point A is not as dreamy and as inspiring as plotting Point B. Point A is many times sobering. Point A many times feels galaxies away from Point B. But nonetheless, athletes (and people) that want to make it to Point B have to be able to accurately plot Point A. A real, legitimate starting point is maybe most critical in all of this. Understanding where we are starting helps the athlete and myself prepare for the work that lies ahead of us. 

Once we have Point A and B mapped out, my role as a practitioner really comes alive. This is where I chart a plan for our work together. And in the process an element of simplicity reveals itself. Whether its teaching an athlete a breathing technique to manage nerves, creating a new dialogue to combat negative thoughts, or creating a progression chart to help an athlete return to competition following injury, it’s all guided by one simple question:

What does this athlete need in order to move from Point A to Point B?

Undoubtedly there exists a degree of complexity in that answer. A lot of intricate details have to be considered here as every athlete is unique. I continually ask myself this question in the process of moving athletes from A to B because that answer changes and evolves as we work. New information becomes available every session and effectively moving from point to point requires frequent recalibration. But, the simplicity of it is that I return to the same question each and every time. It’s a constant in my practice and that yields consistency in the work that I do.

In the journey from A to B both the athlete and myself are challenged in our roles. The athlete is putting things together in their head and making changes. I’m working to facilitate that learning and change, which always pushes me. I’m always thinking, learning and further developing my skills as a practitioner in the field, just like my athletes are in their sport. That’s a pretty cool thing to have going side-by-side. I’m grateful to experience that. And regardless of the distance between the two points, watching athletes move from Point A to B is such a unique and rewarding perspective to have. I’m grateful for that too.

So as you move forward with your day I invite you to take a moment to check in with your two points. In doing so there’s a good chance that the work required of you to move between points will show itself. Understand that jumping in and committing to that required work is the very thing that is going to get you where you want to go.

Lastly, remember that Point B should stretch you and quite honestly make you feel a little uncomfortable. Change, progress and growth are and will be challenging. If it was easy, everyone would do it. 

Embrace the challenge and adversity you will experience as you move from A to B.