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Mark Your Calendar
Registration
Aug
23 6 - 8:30 pm
Sept 7 6 - 8:30 pm
Sept 21 6 - 8:30 pm
No Skate Days
(refer to
club handbook)
Special Club Days
Test Day(s)
Aug. 25, 2011
LINKS:
Chatham Arena Schedules
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Mental Toughness
taken from Mariposa International Training Centre
Mental Toughness is Learned, Not Born
It is important to understand that general personality style
is unrelated to toughness. Whether you are an introvert, quiet or boastful,
dynamic or reserved has little bearing on your success as an athlete.
One needs not move out of his or her, own normal and
comfortable personality style to achieve a high degree or mental toughness.
There is, however, a constellation of mental skills, all of which are learned,
that are characteristic of mentally tough athletes.
They are:
- Self-Motivated and Self-Directed
You don't need to be pushed, shoved, or forced from the outside. Your
direction comes from within. You are involved because you want to be,
because it is your thing, not somebody else's.
- Positive But Realistic
You're not a complainer, a criticizer or a faultfinder. You are a
builder, not a destroyer. Your trademark is a blend of realism and
optimism. Your eye is always fixed on success, on what can happen and
on what is possible-not on their opposites.
- In Control of Your Emotions
Any real athlete understands all too well the unfortunate performance
consequences of poor emotional control. Watch for powerful triggers or
negative emotions where you do not accept responsibility for your actions.
Anger, frustration and fear must be controlled or they most certainly will
control you. The tough athlete has tamed the lion inside.
- Calm and Relaxed Under Fire
You don't avoid pressure: you are challenged by it. You're at your
best when the pressure is on and the odds are against you. Being put
to the test is not a threat. It's but another opportunity to explore
the outer limits of your potential.
- Highly Energetic and Ready for Action
You are capable of getting yourself pumped up and energized for competing at
your best, no matter how you feel or whatever the circumstances may be.
You are your own igniter, and can do so in spite of your fatigue, personal
problems or bad luck.
- Determined
Your sheer force of will to succeed in what you have started is beyond
comprehension for those who do not share the same vision. You are
relentless in your pursuit of your goal. Setbacks are taken in stride
as you inch your way further forward.
- Mentally Alert and Focused
You are capable of long and intensive periods of total concentration.
You are capable of tuning in what is important and tuning out what is not
whether there is no pressure or great pressure. In short, you have
attentional control.
- Doggedly Self-Confident
You display a nearly unshatterable sense of confidence and belief in
yourself and in your ability to perform well. You rarely fall victim
to your own or others' self-defeating thoughts and ideas. A
consequence, you are not easily intimidated. On the contrary because
of your confident appearance you often become the intimidator.
- Fully Responsible
You take full responsibility for your own actions. There are no
excuses. You either did or didn't. Ultimately, everything begins
and ends with you and you are perfectly comfortable with that. You are
fully aware that your destiny as an athlete is in your own hands. Your
future is your own.
It is no chance happening that the athlete who fits this
description succeeds in the world of competing. The world's greatest
athletes give testimony to the reality of mental toughness every time they
perform. All the truly great athletes in sport have exemplified this
very kind of inner strength, a strength that goes well beyond the limits of
their natural talent and skill. It all too often is the thin line, which
separates the few who made it from the thousands who did not. When the
final moment of truth finally arrives, the deciding factor will always be the
same.
It will be your inner strength that makes
the ultimate difference!
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