What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? – Vincent van Gogh
We need encouragement. More than judgment, more than critical feedback, more than success, more than practice. We need encouragement because at the end of the day what holds us back from being the players we want to be? In most cases, it’s us. We hold ourselves back.
We fear the judgment of others, embarrassing ourselves, and disappointing coaches and parents. We don’t want to mess up. And we typically have a running list of expectations in our minds about what coaches want from us, parents want from us, and what our friends want from us. We worry about meeting expectations and we try not to mess up. This typically makes us play tight, nervous, and be a shadow of the player we could be. We get stuck. We stop taking chances. We play it safe.
How do we get unstuck?
We must give ourselves permission to be great. We need the green light. We need encouragement. Encouragement means to “make strong” and “put in heart.” Encouragement helps us tap into something deeper than our worries. It gives us access to an inner strength that frees us from the chains of fear, judgment, and expectations. It helps us transform.
When we feel worried about what the coach thinks about us. Or we are scared to make a mistake. Or we are exhausted. Or we have had several bad performances in a row. Encouragement places us in a space of freedom. We don’t need the stars to align. We don’t need perfect weather or good vibes. We can be courageous now. Even when things don’t feel good. Even if we are losing. We can begin anew.
Encouragement is a skill that allows us to be courageous in situations where it might be difficult. Encouragement helps us push into what we are really capable of instead of settling for anything short of our potential. Encouragement helps us shed the layers of expectations, binding narratives, and fears that hold us back from the transformation we are desiring.
Be strong and take heart.
