Risk vs Responsibility in Sport
I listened to this podcast over the weekend and the main thing I noted was the distinction between risk and responsibility and how reframing things can hugely effect performance.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5d7vBrgO4pzbVE1kO0wyag?si=366acd3bcfb24185
At a basic human level we have a few basic needs. Food, water, shelter, warmth. You can add in safety and security as the layer on top.
Which means on the opposite side of these needs we have the risks of not having them.
And yet we perceive risk nowadays as more than what is at stake for our basic needs. Maslow beautifully wrote about this in his hierarchy of needs model.
https://share.google/ooPl1EoRdwtbk0eOD
Sport is full of risks. Or is it.
Is there really great risk on double faulting?
Is there really great risk in missing a penalty or free throw?
Is there really great risk in missing a putt to win a tournament?
Well on a basic human need, unlikely. But psychologically and emotionally it can cause turmoil and the disproportionate weight placed on those things can cause performance issues.
Working on emotional and psychological safety is a key element of the work I do with elite athletes.
They usually have the basic needs covered, not just now but for many years to come if they have been lucky to secure good contracts and have been careful with their money.
But what they usually lack is a good stable life in terms of friends, family, support team, other interests.
Once a human can feel emotionally and psychologically safe and secure, it opens the doors to be brave in other areas of life - like going for a big serve at 30 - 30 rather than being conservative.
What if we then turned the narrative to "I am taking responsibility here for my actions", rather then seeing them as a risk.
I have a responsibility to be brave here.
I have a responsibility to play as I know I can.
I have a responsibility to show up every day for training with intent.
I have a responsibility to be committed to my craft.
Athletic Life Coaching will help you create a full and stable life outside of your sport so you can be brave in it.
Take responsibility and step into risk.
