Story time

In light of some of the sport’s psychology sessions that we have been having at Sport for Life Center over the last couple of weeks, I wanted to share a story that touches on two of our recent topics – focus and confidence.

There were these 4 rowdy grade 1 girls and  one day their teacher decided she would give them a task at recess to burn off some energy and keep them occupied and out of trouble.  She told them they were going to have a competition to see which one could make the straightest line through the snow going from one end of the playground to the next.  So, the next recess, all 4 girls set out to make their straight lines across the playground.

 

The first girl started making her path through the snow with her boots and kept looking back to see how straight her line was.

The second girl started making her path through the snow and with each step she kept looking from side to side at the other girls to see how straight their lines were.

The third girl started making her path through the snow and kept her eyes low and on her boots.

The fourth girl started making her path through the snow and kept her eyes fixed on the spot at the other side of the playground where she was trying to get to.

Now which one made the straightest line?  It was the fourth girl, the one who kept her eyes fixed on where she was going.  But the greater message here is that we cannot have as much success in life or sports if we dwell on where we have been (our past), are obsessed with what others are doing around us and the success they may be having, or walk with our head and shoulders staring at the ground because we lack confidence and self-esteem.

So keep your eyes fixed on your purpose, your goal, your dream, the prize and don't let anything get in your way!