Author: D.D.
-
Something More
Confidence is often misconstrued as an emotion spurred by success or absolute certainty, causing a trap where internal well-being relies on external validation and vice versa. In reality, confidence is a form of trust that propels one to act courageously despite uncertainties and negative thoughts, enabling us to commit to small choices that lead to…
-
Be Buoyant
In our journey of seeking to expand our performance, we experience shortcomings. Times where we miss the mark – mistakes, losses, setbacks. For instance, a practice, competition, or day may not meet our expectations. In fact, we might deem it a failure because we feel a lack of something. A lack of skill or conditioning,…
-
Forging a Space Between Forgetting and Fixating
“Next play!” “Forget about it. Move on!” “Short memory.” “Get ready for the next one!” We hear these phrases often as performers. They are typically shouted, whispered, commanded, and shared in a moment. Perhaps a moment of intensity, or a moment of quick connection before the next task. Coaches, teammates, colleagues, and friends may not…
-
Aim for Proficiency, Not Perfection
That wasn’t perfect. It needs to be better. That’s not enough. These are perfectionistic phrases that floated around in my head everyday. The combination of competitiveness and the pressure to stand out fostered a strong tendency for perfectionism within me. In my childhood, I genuinely enjoyed playing sports; it was simply about the joy of playing.…
-
Regrets of an Athlete
My biggest regret as an athlete was being so overly concerned with my own personal success that I did not allow myself to truly be part of a team. I was not a good teammate because I was too fixated on my own results and what people thought about me. If I played well, a…
-
Life-Sized Jenga
Go, go, go. Restlessness propels us to do more, especially as athletes and performers. We relentlessly pursue goals and accomplishments, constantly fueling the fire within. There’s a blend of motivations at play— the desire to push our limits, explore possibilities, and become the best version of ourselves. Yet, alongside this drive, we grapple with the…