Have you ever gone into a presentation/competition and been nervous beyond belief? I know, for certain, I have. Your mind is going in a thousand directions, and all of the possible negative outcomes are at the forefront.
I’ll tell you a terrible time (or two) to have those anxious, apprehensive thoughts rolling through your mind – prior to, and during, two state final wrestling matches. I lost those two matches not because I wasn’t the better wrestler, rather because I didn’t have the confidence I needed to really BELIEVE I could win those matches.
Almost two decades later, I know the reason I didn’t have that confidence. It all comes down to one word, and at that young age, I didn’t truly understand that one word.
I’ve been all-in watching the Olympics the last week or so, and I’ll continue to through the last competition. I’m fascinated by the absolute passion, hard work, dedication, sacrifice and perseverance that each one of these athletes demonstrates.
But I know something now that I didn’t know before, prior to competing against, and being, one of the best fighters in the world – these athletes are not machines. They are human. They have doubts just like us.
So, then, how in the world do you develop the physical and mental capacities to perform at a world-class level if you’re just human? Let’s go back to that one word: preparation.
Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs said it best, “Confidence comes from preparation.”
It’s that simple.
I know from personal experience the difference absolute preparation can make in any outcome.
So I would offer this piece of advice: Stop kidding yourself.
Have you prepared? Have you really prepared?
Spaniard
About the author : cbrenneman
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Latest videos
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
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