Posts tagged Mindset
Physical Challenges Improve Self-Esteem
Oct 14th
Many of us out there suffer from lowered self-esteem and a poor self-concept. This maybe for various reasons. Many out there have suffered from verbal, physical, and sexual abuse as a child or young adult. Even the smallest incident can be traumatic and be carried with someone for their entire life. I work as a psychologist and as an athletic coach. I have a unique insight into how athletics affect us not just from a physical standpoint but more importantly from a mental health standpoint.
I have found that in my professional experience as an educational psychologist, children and adults alike can benefit from setting reasonable yet challenging athletic goals. Setting these types of goals with the intention of improving self-esteem has the synergy of creating a more positive mindset that is focused on real world problem solving, progress, goal setting, adapting to change, and a host of other positive benefits that an individual suffering from lowered self-esteem can instantly apply to almost every other aspect of their life.
Unfortunately, the field of psychology is based on the medical model which focuses on what is WRONG with you. The psychologist acts as though he or she is the doctor who can “cure” you. However, first you must be categorized into a nicely defined area which is spelled out in the DSM-IV. In my opinion this is an outdated method when it comes to the vast majority of individuals who are seeking a psychologist to improve their mental health but are able to function relatively well in today’s society. Although it helps to identify what is getting in your way of success, it doesn’t help to focus on this and dwell on it.
Rather, it is much more beneficial to focus on what is working for this individual, what resources do they have available to them to get out and do something about this problem. Focusing on the positives and strengths of an individual now opens new doors. Setting goals, creating dreams, and taking action. That is the future of psychology in my opinion.
Where does athletics fit into this equation? Well, for one thing sports is one way you can learn how to master life. Dreaming of completing a triathlon, setting goals to begin a training program, taking action and complete the program and then complete the triathlon can be quite an empowering experience and only serves to remind the world, Yes! Anything is possible when one sets their mind to it, sets goals, and creates a plan.
The Key to Failure
Oct 14th
I was listening to Earl Nightingale’s The Strangest Secret earlier today and I was really blown away by a comment that he made at the beginning of the book that I had never really noticed before. As he was describing the “Secret” of success he called it “The key to success and also the key to failure.” It took me a moment to really let that sink in. The fact that we become what we think about is both the greatest blessing and potentially the greatest curse all of us could ever have.
It’s so easy to focus on the negative and fall into the trap that life is hard, our hardships are worse than anyone else’s, and we can lose track of the light at the end of our tunnel. I know I have been through this many times in my life and no matter how hard you try the temptation to fall back into these thought patterns will always be there. That’s why it is so important to know and remember that we become what we think about. Repeat that over and over, realize it and accept it, but remember it’s a good thing.
I say this because this means that the power lies within us to change our circumstances and change the course of our lives. We have this awesome power and great power means great responsibility. It’s our responsibility to make sure that we use this ability to maximize the potential and opportunity in our lives. “If you think you can do a thing or you think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” – Henry Ford. The world is filled with a limitless bounty ripe for the picking or it isn’t, the answer lies in our own head. Our mindset is the factor that makes that distinction, thoughts become things, keep that in mind.
