Don'ts and Do's, Champs Among US, Part Two...which reminds me

Conversation starters, small talk: 

Psychologist: "Tell me why you're here" Respondent: "I'd rather not, let me instead..."

Interviewer: "Tell me why you're qualified for this job" Applicant: "Let me start with my shortcomings"

Waiter: "What looks good on the menu tonight?" Customer: "There's a lot here that does not appeal..."

Reporter: "To what and whom do you credit your success?" Champ: "Not gonna answer this; instead..."

       Now, these would indeed be at least offbeat, if not refreshing interviews, moreover unique responses to the typical, expected, banal questions commonly asked. While all wanna know what this successful individual did to succeed, we don't often get to hear (or bother, take time to ask) about the pitfalls they avoided on the way to success...who wants to hear negative stuff? As I mentioned in Part One (see July 24th post, to either set, or reset your mindset before reading further), this is not ever a bad place to start such a discussion, as it it includes potentially strong reminders for me, for you, of the hazards (seen and unseen) that await us on the road to success, some of which we can actually plan for, otherwise compensate for. Some of these were delineated in a recent article from Chris Carmichael and gang (Carmichael Training Systems out of Colorado Springs, a 😎 place to train, if you have to), in which they list some don'ts that successful athletes from a variety of venues (e.g., cycling, running, other 'endurance' athletes in particular) were willing to share with the rest of us aspirants. These, accompanied by my professional and personal commentary, reverie, and reminders for me, and perhaps you. So, DO NOT:

Get discouraged, otherwise distracted by, weather conditions (or other external factors you can't control, those you find yourself griping about, get distracted by, wasting time and energy): "Everyone's complaining about the weather but nobody's doing anything about it" Think about it, whether the weather is what you consider idyllic or completely _ _ _ _ _ Y, you and the rest of the field will be sharing the same conditions. Well an undefined number to start with, that is. Such as when our high school cross country coach walked us through a local venue for an upcoming race, which included hills that in another season served tobogganers: "You'll only be running against half the field, after your opponents get off their bus and get a glimpse of these hills, half will be psyched out immediately..." Which would I be, I wondered? Gasp, gulp, breathe in, breathe out...I remind me and you that if you add the weather conditions to your competition, you'll be on the way to the 'agony of defeat' ("Wide World of Sports"). Added hint: Always, on the other hand, keep one eye on the weather conditions as you lay out your clothes, 😎's the night before...I am further reminded about pre-Olympic footage from as recent as yesterday, designed to whet our appetite, which has incorporated outtakes of what the more creative, resourceful athletes did during the lockdown, when they were also 'locked out' of pools, gyms, etc., to not only stay in shape but approximate their respective sport...most importantly to not be limited too much by CV-19, to refrain from letting an external factor become internal...We are also well advised not to...

Fret too much, get uptight about the 'perfect' diet/nutrition, complete compliance (whether an aspiring Olympian or a mainstream, perpetual dieter). Each type of competition certainly, unequivocally does depend to no small degree on a delicate balance of nutrients and types of calories, adjusted by Team USA nutritionists and others on behalf of various athletes in training, during transition (aka 'tapering'), or the day of competition. I am reminded of when our son wrestled in high school, how they had to withhold calories to make weight, but get tempted to gorge after making weight, the morning of the day long invitational (usually a one trial learning curve after GI distress). I am further reminded of the day long sports symposium I was invited to speak regarding sports psychology, in which about one third of the break-out sessions were devoted to diet and nutrition (similar to fitness/training magazines, websites, reflecting their critical importance). But when 'push comes to 'shove' (i.e., the struggle within an athlete as well as between them and their trainers), especially if they/us are engaged in a longer term goal pursuit, one has to be sustained by the 'joy' (versus the 'yuck') of food, or else we can 'burn out' on what we and others are preaching to be a healthy diet. Closely linked to finding and reminding ourselves of the what/why we enjoy the activity we find ourselves in arduous planning, training -- gotta have fun! Nor... 

Buy into or listen too much to the hype (the 'over' as well as 'under', the positive as well as the negative). All the comments by others, some well intentioned cheerleaders in our lives, ranging from those talking heads, citing stats, analytics, and for those to whom the outcomes are a foregone conclusion (may as well just save our energy and not compete)...to those close to us "You're gonna do great...this is what you've been waiting for...you trained hard for this...you got this...!" I'm reminded that, while I tell parents and their children of all ages who are aspiring to a goal that, while the parents' encouragement and affirmations are always important (and should be welcome by the recipient), it's not sufficient -- their child needs to see tangible evidence or it can ring hallow. Just ask the Japanese swimmer who was heavily favored (name withheld and if you can figure it out, I doubt he has stuck around to be interviewed), but didn't even make it to the final heat. A common experience as well for teams who have just won the respective trophy in their sport, who are cautioned by their coach/manager to stay humble, that it will likely take even more effort to stay even, let alone repeat next season (same in business). And, it's also a good idea not to...

Get intimidated by the odds (or evens!) That is, those that end up champs don't...a small chance is still a chance, after all. Remember the game or competition isn't over until it is (think about how many national elections, after pollsters had counted out John/Jane Doe, only to have them eventually taking the oath of office). Thinking too much about the odds is not only a distraction, it could, as the article cites, be the first 'step' toward self-defeat, before you have even faced your competitor. A local fencer can tell you about this, after being heavily discounted, staying focused, and eventually downing all the others -- touche'! Hint: Being too preoccupied with "trying to get even"  and/or "playing with an attitude", while it may be a source of initial energy, get you out of the locker room, on the running trail, probably won't sustain you in the 'long run' (literally), if not accompanied by an internalized conviction about why you are doing this, what got you started in the first place. I am reminded of a legion of people who either got 'psyched out' before they even saw the hills (see "weather" above) or tried to motivate themselves for a long term goal for negative reasons ("I'll show 'em!"). Finally, one more thing an aspiring champ ought not...

Looking beyond the immediate Works both ways -- that is, being tempted to give up and come back another day, or to look beyond what appears to be a wimpy competitor. Also, following either a fantastic or forgettable performance. While champions in all settings have both short and longer term goals, the key is to be able to be fully engaged with what's in front of you, until it's behind you. I am reminded of countless interviews with athletes as well as business leaders with a probing reporter, pushing the respective competitor to comment on the 'perfect' or 'dreadful' game they just had, to which an aspiring champ typically replies, "I don't have time to think about that; I have a game tonight and that's the only one I am going to be judged by..." We are also reminded by a homegrown champ in his own right, "Eminem":

"...Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity...

...The moment, you own it, you better never let it go...

...You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow..." -"Lose Yourself" GREAT psych up, reminder.

Parting Shots: In the spirit of this post, the interviewer asks the Olympic gold medal winner their plans "now that you've won the gold", to which the champ responds, "Well, I'll tell you what I'm not gonna do..." Now that would be weird...