Demystifying Mental Toughness 046 Why Snowboarding is a Metaphor for Life
Life, sport, or our careers are not straightforward. There is no linear path that you can carve out as regularly we are faced with challenges and setbacks. Mental Toughness is all about how we deal with these times, whether we choose to move on forward positively, simply survive or drown and potentially quit.
Today, author Kate Mackay shares with me some fascinating insights into learning how to snowboard in her thirties as a new mum, the difficulties that cropped up along the way, and how she faced them head-on.
Key Learning Points:
- On learning to snowboard Kate found it extremely challenging and often found herself frustrated and angry at herself.
- She also found glimmers of how much fun it could be.
- It was about mentally and physically learning a new skill, in an environment that she wasn't used to and could change fast.
- In snowboarding, you will fall over. If you don't want to fall over, then don't strap on a snowboard, that's all part of the learning process!
- In terms of the four C's of Mental Toughness, she felt she was in control of her life and was committed, but she was just surviving. She wasn't thriving with her snowboarding, she was struggling with her confidence, her ability to accept the risks involved and struggling to learn.
- It's useful to have a coach, somebody who can look at things objectively, someone who gets away from the emotion and can remind you what you achieved a year ago or more recently that you often forget about.
- It is important to recognize your fears, acknowledging them but also listen to that devil on your shoulder, saying go on, do it.
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