I’m big on asking my athlete-clients to reflect. After a win. After a loss. After a season.
What went well? What didn’t go well? What can they do differently tomorrow?
Reflection is a simple, yet critical skill. It fuels self-awareness and the learning required to get better.
I have written detailed year-end reviews in the past. Not this year. I’m going with simple list of learnings for 2024.
Here are 10 things I’ve learned this year as a mental performance coach.
- Young athletes don’t always want it as bad as their parents.
- Young athletes don’t always want it as bad as their mental performance coach.
- I must be intentional about meeting young athletes where they are at. Patience and understanding are critical to get buy-in.
- Working with Gen Z athletes (12 to mid 20s) requires explaining WHY I am asking them to do something. Just telling them to do something because “I said so” will not cut it.
- I need to watch my athletes compete more (whenever possible). I am much more effective when I can observe my clients operating in their element. Words and actions don’t always match.
- I need to communicate with athletes and parents more frequently and more effectively. It helps me serve them better.
- I need to set clearer expectations and boundaries when I start working with new clients for my their sake and my own.
- Mental performance coaching is the missing puzzle piece for young athletes seeking to maximize their potential.
- Not every athlete or family wants to solve the same puzzle that I do.
- Whatever the puzzle, I can’t solve it for them. I can only guide them to the solution.
Next up: goal setting.
My goal for 2025 is act constructively on these reflections to be better for my clients and better for myself.