We've all been there. It's game day, we wake up, it's raining, maybe a bit windy, possibly cold.
We think "oh man, I've got to play in this, that's not going to be fun". Our mindset shifts, and our energy changes.
We approach the game with less optimism and less enthusiasm. Maybe we don't play the songs in the car ride to the game that get us in a good mood, maybe we turn up and the first thing we say to our teammates is something about the weather. Suddenly our approach to the game has changed from that sunny outlook on a warm day to a not-so-keen approach today.
This subtle change in approach can have consequences that last beyond this one rainy day.
If our approach to a rainy day game or training mirrors the grey sky, then what does that mean for the next rainy day game or training? We start training our minds to approach these conditions with a less positive outlook. What if we have more rainy days in the season than sunny ones? That might mean that we've approached more games in a gloomy mindset than a positive one. A netball season is short, we want to enjoy every game we play.
This is where our consistent processes come into play.
Regardless of the conditions, whether it be bad weather, a bad mood, or a team that your not sure about playing against, we want to create consistent processes that make positive signals to our brain.
What is the process that gets you in the right space to play and do you use it every game regardless of the conditions?
- Is it music on the car ride to the game?
- Is it greeting your teammates with enthusiasm and positivity every game?
- Is it a mantra for every game?
- Is it pulling your socks up or plaiting your hair just before the whistle blows?
It's important to remember that no two game days are the same. It's through our consistently positive approach that we build confidence and improve.
Netty Notes is designed for you to implement the right processes, consistently. Those processes can be uniquely you. They can be quirky, fun or super basic. All that matters is that they put you in a positive frame of mind, to enjoy this game, in this moment.
Let's do this!