Throughout the years of my career, the subject of mental preparation has presented itself far more times than i can even attempt to count. Everyone wants to know what the secrets are and what exactly it is that they should do to achieve psychological serenity. The mind is nothing more than a sophisticated tool- learning how to properly use it could help you construct an entire home from the ground up; fail to respect it's capabilities, thus using it incorrectly, and it could very well leave you lifeless. I'm going to share with you some of my techniques for breaking the so called cipher, becoming immune to nerves, trash talk, and even the overwhelming fear that each and every competitor possesses.
The most important character trait that a competitor in any sport must maintain is true confidence. I say TRUE because if there's one thing I've learned for certain, it's that words are the easiest thing to produce fallaciously; actions, however, are incapable of inaccuracy. Moreover, anyone can say that they are confident and that they think they are the best, but there is literally only a small number of people who's words are accompanied by authenticity.
Arrogance, as a negative term, to me, is defined as casuistic confidence, mostly from the mouth, occasionally through action, all with the inability to be supported by accomplishment. The trick is to be overwhelmingly arrogant, but only in the mind. You must believe wholeheartedly that not even superman himself could beat you in the task at hand. I think that arrogance leaks from the mind through holes that doubt and fear create, thus making one's ostentation visible for the entire world to see. Think of your arrogance as a masked super hero who's powers become ever greater based on his secrecy. Once people begin to find out who he really is, he is nothing, and no longer contains any valor, thus losing respect and often being shunned. The only positive arrogance is that bound by the mind, once it leaves there, it becomes exponentially detrimental.
Now that you know what you're trying to achieve, let me give you some ideas on how to get there. The key is to turn the mental arrogance into habit so that you never have to put effort into convincing yourself that you are capable. The way to achieve this, just as any other habit is formed, is by perfect practice. Have you ever awoke from a dream and were convinced it was reality? If so, you can understand how the brain can be particularly convincing, regardless of your intelligence. A technique that is commonly used, is one where you replay a race in your head over and over, each time visualizing yourself victorious. The trick to making this exercise a success is to pay explicit attention to the details; its these details that really help the mind learn to form the positive mannerisms you're reaching for.
Just like any habit, this one can be broken if it's not something that you keep up with consistently. I suggest picking a time everyday that you have about ten minutes of alone time to practice your mental visualizations. You can do them in the shower, when you wake up in the morning, when you're falling asleep at night, on a lunch break, regardless of when and where you do them, they must be done. Try to avoid distractions when you're working on this, because as i stated before, the details are imperative.
Once you've accomplished the true mental arrogance, you will be able to calm your nerves and tune out the false confidence that spills out of your competitors' mouths. Mike Tyson once said,
"Fear is your best friend or your worst enemy. It's like fire. If you can control it, it can cook for you; it can heat your house. If you can't control it, it will burn everything around you and destroy you..."
I think he hit the nail on the head with this and once you learn how to correctly control the most powerful tool of the body (your mind), you will be heating your home and enjoying hot juicy porterhouse steaks, while your envious and weak minded competitors starve and freeze.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
I Don't Get It...
This weekend i experienced my first meet disqualification in the 13 years I've been skating and I just need to get a few things off the chest that really, really bothered me about the whole situation.
There was a verbal altercation and some personal issues that presented themselves between a fellow skater and i during the course of the competition. Unfortunately these issues were immaturely and shamefully brought onto the floor, instead of being kept separate. Inevitably, it escalated into some embarrassing and completely uncalled for physical cheating, each party being guilty in his own respect, and each party being disqualified from the race.
Following the dq's, both of us were immediately instructed to come to the middle of the floor and have a seat, this of course being while the race is still going on. By this point, many referees had gathered in an attempt to calm the situation, which in my perspective was blown far out of proportion. I can only speak for myself when i say that i was calm and collected following the events and actually made an attempt to sit next to the other skater and resolve the issue as it needed to be resolved, however, was treated in a very rude and unprofessional manor as i was ordered to sit down and the chair farthest away and not move. This made me far more angry than what happened in the race; I'm an adult and completely capable of controlling myself while addressing this sort of issue.
Next, I was instructed to get my coach and meet in the ref's break room. The meet director and head referee explained that they were very disappointed and actions must be taken to prove that you cannot just get away with this type of behavior. The meet director then proceeded to pull out a meet disqualification form for each of us, to which i inquired about the basis for my removal from the meet. The head referee explained that i said, "Let's take this outside," (taunting the other athlete and trying to keep the conflict alive). I was completely shocked at this and continued to deny that I would say such a thing; even the skater who was involved with me denied me saying this. I then proceeded to tell the head referee that i lost all respect for him.
The other skater involved suggested that he and I apologize on the microphone from the middle of the floor, which was an idea i supported completely. However, the meet director denied this and explained it would not help; that it was useless because then everyone will think they can act how we acted and just say they're sorry and all is forgiven. I can personally say that this was not what I was looking for, I was more concerned with the public understanding that we knew we were in the wrong and how important it was that they should not follow the poor example we had set during that particular situation. The meet director then began to explain how they always did the right thing... that they had even DQ'd their own son from a meet before... i was having a hard time understanding the relevance between the story and our situation. We were then instructed to get our things and LEAVE THE BUILDING. I, again, was shocked that this was being prosecuted with such extent, when i have personally witness far worse displays of unsportsman like conduct and/or cheating without receiving such repercussions.
After I left the room, the other skater came out after a few minutes and explained we could stay in the building, but were still out of the meet. Little did i know, they decided to go ahead and take all my points from the previous day, ultimately keeping me off the podium (i was 2nd overall, even after the dq from the final race). This really pushed me over the edge and made me realize that it was nothing more than a display of power and control. 2 individuals that, in a total state of hypocrisy, decided to use our names in an attempt to "set an example" for the rest of the skaters, when in actuality, all they did was display traits that should NOT be replicated by ANYONE at ANYTIME. The head referee had to LIE and report that I said something I clearly did not say, abusing his power, in a desperate attempt to build their case.
To add to this, the skater and i took it upon ourselves to make the public apology despite being denied this right by the meet director. When the announcer explained to the crowd that we had been "ejected from the meet" the meet director immediately said, "don't say that"... now this was a bit odd to me as well. If you make the decision that you think is right, why would you not want the public to know about it? Furthermore, IF YOURE USING US TO SET AN EXAMPLE LIKE YOU SAID YOU WERE... YOU HAVE TO TELL PUBLIC THE PUNISHMENT FOR OUR ACTIONS, NOT BE ASHAMED OF IT. Regardless, he and I both said what we needed to say and it was applauded.
The athlete and I also were able to completely eradicate the conflict ourselves, which turned out to be a misunderstanding anyway.
*************
Later i returned to the meet director and requested to see a copy of the Meet DQ form, to which they agreed and proceeded to the middle of the floor to get it. When the person returned, they were holding nothing more than the basic race DQ slip. I then explained that I wanted to see the form they have to fill out and send into USARS for ejecting me from the meet, to which i was told that it was not filled out yet. Now keep in mind this is over 3 hours after the incident. The meet director then told me i could come to their hotel and look at it once they filled it out, they didn't have time to do it right then, however i do recall seeing the meet director and all the refs during the lunch break hanging around and laughing, but then again, who am i to judge the importance of leisure. My coach then requested a copy of the form and was told that it would be filled out later and it could be faxed to him... Now here's the part i have a hard time with- I thought the form should have been filled out immediately upon my ejection, which would have been proper procedure and professional, not to mention it would have avoided a "cloudy" recollection of the event. Now how am I to know that upon reffing the entire remainder of the meet, you didn't confuse events, or forget details, or anything of that nature which is imperative in the credibility of the ejection.
*************
In conclusion, I've lost all respect for the two people at this meet who abused their power and ultimately made me realize the kind of person i never want to become. Anyone who was there can testify on my behalf and anyone who knows me personally knows that I would never say what i was accused of saying, regardless of the situation. If pulling someones hips is means for a meet DQ, then they better start making a lot more copies of that form, because they're going to need them. I love the sport and this sort of thing will never make me quit, it only motivates me to not put myself in a position of vulnerability, because you never know what kind of crooked games people might play.
On a lighter note, the meet was the best indoor meet i've been to in maybe 4 years. Julie is back and a monster... falling down, getting up and still winning the long race. Cheex was a star as always, apparently age doesn't matter because that guy is getting old haha. The racing was exciting, the people were awesome... I talked to a lot of people I usually don't 'get along with' i guess you could say... It was a good time. I hope the rest of the year maintains the same kind of momentum as Mary's meet.
There was a verbal altercation and some personal issues that presented themselves between a fellow skater and i during the course of the competition. Unfortunately these issues were immaturely and shamefully brought onto the floor, instead of being kept separate. Inevitably, it escalated into some embarrassing and completely uncalled for physical cheating, each party being guilty in his own respect, and each party being disqualified from the race.
Following the dq's, both of us were immediately instructed to come to the middle of the floor and have a seat, this of course being while the race is still going on. By this point, many referees had gathered in an attempt to calm the situation, which in my perspective was blown far out of proportion. I can only speak for myself when i say that i was calm and collected following the events and actually made an attempt to sit next to the other skater and resolve the issue as it needed to be resolved, however, was treated in a very rude and unprofessional manor as i was ordered to sit down and the chair farthest away and not move. This made me far more angry than what happened in the race; I'm an adult and completely capable of controlling myself while addressing this sort of issue.
Next, I was instructed to get my coach and meet in the ref's break room. The meet director and head referee explained that they were very disappointed and actions must be taken to prove that you cannot just get away with this type of behavior. The meet director then proceeded to pull out a meet disqualification form for each of us, to which i inquired about the basis for my removal from the meet. The head referee explained that i said, "Let's take this outside," (taunting the other athlete and trying to keep the conflict alive). I was completely shocked at this and continued to deny that I would say such a thing; even the skater who was involved with me denied me saying this. I then proceeded to tell the head referee that i lost all respect for him.
The other skater involved suggested that he and I apologize on the microphone from the middle of the floor, which was an idea i supported completely. However, the meet director denied this and explained it would not help; that it was useless because then everyone will think they can act how we acted and just say they're sorry and all is forgiven. I can personally say that this was not what I was looking for, I was more concerned with the public understanding that we knew we were in the wrong and how important it was that they should not follow the poor example we had set during that particular situation. The meet director then began to explain how they always did the right thing... that they had even DQ'd their own son from a meet before... i was having a hard time understanding the relevance between the story and our situation. We were then instructed to get our things and LEAVE THE BUILDING. I, again, was shocked that this was being prosecuted with such extent, when i have personally witness far worse displays of unsportsman like conduct and/or cheating without receiving such repercussions.
After I left the room, the other skater came out after a few minutes and explained we could stay in the building, but were still out of the meet. Little did i know, they decided to go ahead and take all my points from the previous day, ultimately keeping me off the podium (i was 2nd overall, even after the dq from the final race). This really pushed me over the edge and made me realize that it was nothing more than a display of power and control. 2 individuals that, in a total state of hypocrisy, decided to use our names in an attempt to "set an example" for the rest of the skaters, when in actuality, all they did was display traits that should NOT be replicated by ANYONE at ANYTIME. The head referee had to LIE and report that I said something I clearly did not say, abusing his power, in a desperate attempt to build their case.
To add to this, the skater and i took it upon ourselves to make the public apology despite being denied this right by the meet director. When the announcer explained to the crowd that we had been "ejected from the meet" the meet director immediately said, "don't say that"... now this was a bit odd to me as well. If you make the decision that you think is right, why would you not want the public to know about it? Furthermore, IF YOURE USING US TO SET AN EXAMPLE LIKE YOU SAID YOU WERE... YOU HAVE TO TELL PUBLIC THE PUNISHMENT FOR OUR ACTIONS, NOT BE ASHAMED OF IT. Regardless, he and I both said what we needed to say and it was applauded.
The athlete and I also were able to completely eradicate the conflict ourselves, which turned out to be a misunderstanding anyway.
*************
Later i returned to the meet director and requested to see a copy of the Meet DQ form, to which they agreed and proceeded to the middle of the floor to get it. When the person returned, they were holding nothing more than the basic race DQ slip. I then explained that I wanted to see the form they have to fill out and send into USARS for ejecting me from the meet, to which i was told that it was not filled out yet. Now keep in mind this is over 3 hours after the incident. The meet director then told me i could come to their hotel and look at it once they filled it out, they didn't have time to do it right then, however i do recall seeing the meet director and all the refs during the lunch break hanging around and laughing, but then again, who am i to judge the importance of leisure. My coach then requested a copy of the form and was told that it would be filled out later and it could be faxed to him... Now here's the part i have a hard time with- I thought the form should have been filled out immediately upon my ejection, which would have been proper procedure and professional, not to mention it would have avoided a "cloudy" recollection of the event. Now how am I to know that upon reffing the entire remainder of the meet, you didn't confuse events, or forget details, or anything of that nature which is imperative in the credibility of the ejection.
*************
In conclusion, I've lost all respect for the two people at this meet who abused their power and ultimately made me realize the kind of person i never want to become. Anyone who was there can testify on my behalf and anyone who knows me personally knows that I would never say what i was accused of saying, regardless of the situation. If pulling someones hips is means for a meet DQ, then they better start making a lot more copies of that form, because they're going to need them. I love the sport and this sort of thing will never make me quit, it only motivates me to not put myself in a position of vulnerability, because you never know what kind of crooked games people might play.
On a lighter note, the meet was the best indoor meet i've been to in maybe 4 years. Julie is back and a monster... falling down, getting up and still winning the long race. Cheex was a star as always, apparently age doesn't matter because that guy is getting old haha. The racing was exciting, the people were awesome... I talked to a lot of people I usually don't 'get along with' i guess you could say... It was a good time. I hope the rest of the year maintains the same kind of momentum as Mary's meet.
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