Sports Psychology
Perseverance Page

    At some point in any new endeavor, we all need a little reinforcement - a pat on the back, a kick in the butt - to help us keep our motivation high.  Nothing on these pages is intended (or advertised) as a "quick fix" for everything that ails you.  The truth is, in life anything that can be fixed quickly and easily isn't really that much of a problem.  So let's imagine that you've just sort of hit a snag right now, and need a little push from a friend.
    Generally, there are several "truisms" about progress with psychological processes.  It would serve you well to memorize these, and repeat them whenever you feel doubt about your progress creeping up on you:
    (1) Anything worth accomplishing requires consistent and sincere effort on a daily basis.
    (2) I need help carrying this plan out, and I have many people who can help me.
    (3) This is a process, not an event.  It's going to take time and effort - success doesn't fall out of the sky one day.
    (4) If I continue to do what I've always done, then I'll continue to get what I always got.

    Maybe a few Affirmations will help you relax and feel better about what you are doing.
    Repeat after me:
    (1)  I am a capable, intelligent person, and I am gaining control over my difficulties.
    (2)  I am aware of my weaknesses, and I am confident that I can remediate them.
    (3)  I am pleased with my progress so far, and I am determined to continue my success.
    (4)  I am in control of my thoughts and feelings, and I am directing them positively toward success.
    (5)  I am in control of my reactions to my environment, and I am handling "surprises" effectively.

    It has also been proven that looking at the struggles and successes of famous or professional people - folks we might hold as role models - to realize that they have overcome the same difficulties with which we are currently struggling.  I have collected several examples, what we might call mini Case Studies, of just such things.  You need to come see me to get a copy to work on, then write a Journal that shows you can apply what you have learned about psychology to someone else'sproblems.  Or, you can find an excellent article in a sports or psychology magazine that explores how an athlete used "sports psychology" to overcome obstacles in their life.

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