Helping Your Gymnast Foster Positivity - August 2022
Ever wonder why it is so hard to be positive? Or why no matter how hard you try to think positive your brain just fixates on mistakes or the bad? Well, this is how our brain is designed. Our brain is designed to focus on the negative and gloss over the positive. The brain typically detects negative information faster than positive information – The brain is drawn to bad news!
As I have stated before, our brain is wired to protect us, and it is our survival mechanism.
Our ancestors were constantly being faced with life-threatening danger and it paid for them to remember the bad that happened or might happen so they could alter their behavior and gain a better chance at survival. And even though we are not being faced with life threatening danger, our brain has not changed.
So, how do we fix this? It's ok to not always think positive and thinking positive is not always the answer. But, constantly focusing on mistakes, failures or the bad, can decrease your gymnast’s performance by creating a vicious cycle of negativity which can lead to an increase in frustration and anxiety.
We need to help our gymnasts foster positivity and help them see the good and the small progresses they have made. Here are some helpful ways to help foster more positivity with your gymnasts.
Helping Your Gymnast Foster Positivity
Help your gymnast acknowledge the small wins or successes. I start every mindset session by having my gymnast reflect on the past week and name at least 2 small wins they have had. You can even have your gymnasts name a small win or success after each practice.
Here are some questions you can ask to help them start thinking about what went right.
What went well for you this week or this practice?
What was a win for you this week or this practice?
Our brain is always going to see the bad, we just need to also help our brain see the good!
If you or your gymnast would like more support, check out my coaching services on my website.