Have you ever noticed how few people actually take the leap and chase their dreams? It's like there's an invisible wall between the comfortable sidelines and the exciting playing field, and most folks just stay put.
Sure, some might say it's the fear of starting that holds them back. But after countless hours of coaching incredible people, I can tell you for a fact: that's not the whole story.
The real culprit? The fear of the unknown pain lurking ahead.
Imagine preparing to tackle a challenging yoga pose for the first time, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, or getting ready to negotiate a promotion at work after years of dedication. Just as with mastering a new yoga pose or navigating career advancement, navigating through midlife and setting new personal goals can provoke similar feelings of apprehension and anticipation. Our minds swirl with questions: "What if I can't find the balance and fall out of the pose?" "What if I'm not taken seriously in the negotiation and miss out on the opportunity?" "What if I'm not capable of achieving my aspirations at this stage of life?"
This "What if Monster" trips up more amazing people than anything else. But that ends today!
Nowadays, the majority of us aren't professional athletes and might not adhere strictly to the Principles of Sports Performance. However, these principles serve as valuable guidance not only in sports and exercise but also in most aspects of our daily lives. Hence, the principles outlined below can be applied to a multitude of our day-to-day endeavors.
How the 7 Principles Are Used in Sports & Exercise
The seven principles of sports performance provide a framework for understanding and optimizing athletic training and achievement. These principles guide athletes, coaches, and trainers in designing effective training programs and maximizing performance. The principles are as follows:
Individuality:Â Recognizing that each athlete is unique and responds differently to training stimuli. Training programs should be tailored to an individual's specific needs, abilities, and goals.
Specificity:Â Training should be targeted towards the specific demands of the sport or activity in which the athlete participates. This principle emphasizes the importance of designing training programs that mimic the movements, energy systems, and skills required for optimal performance in the athlete's sport.
Progressive Overload:Â Gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or frequency of training to continually challenge the body and stimulate adaptation. This principle highlights the need for incremental increases in training stimuli to promote ongoing improvement in athletic performance.
Reversibility:Â The concept that gains in fitness and performance are reversible when training is discontinued or reduced. This principle underscores the importance of maintaining consistency in training to prevent detraining effects and preserve hard-earned progress
Variation:Â Incorporating a variety of training methods, exercises, and activities to prevent boredom, stimulate adaptation, and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. This principle promotes a well-rounded approach to training that addresses different aspects of fitness and skill development.
Rest and Recovery:Â Allowing adequate time for rest, recovery, and regeneration between training sessions to optimize performance and reduce the risk of overtraining and injury. This principle emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep, nutrition, hydration, and other recovery strategies to support the body's adaptation process.
Adaptation:Â The body's ability to adjust and improve in response to specific training stimuli. This principle highlights the dynamic nature of training adaptation and the importance of continually challenging the body to promote ongoing improvement in athletic performance.
By understanding and applying these principles, athletes and coaches can develop effective training programs that enhance performance, minimize injury risk, and facilitate long-term success in sports and physical activities. And even the novice exercisers can utilize these concepts for our own physical health journeys.
But, I'm Not An Athlete...So, How Can These Principles Be Used In Our Non-Sports Goals?
The principles of sports performance are not limited to athletic endeavors; they can also be applied to everyday life to help individuals overcome fears, achieve goals, and navigate obstacles. Here's how each principle can be utilized in daily life:
Individuality:Â Recognize that everyone is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Tailor your approach to personal growth and goal achievement based on your individual characteristics, preferences, and circumstances.
Specificity:Â Define clear and specific goals that are aligned with your values and aspirations. Break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps that address the specific challenges and opportunities you encounter in your journey.
Progressive Overload:Â Embrace gradual progression and continuous improvement in pursuit of your goals. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and take on increasingly difficult tasks or experiences that push you to grow and develop.
Reversibility:Â Understand that progress is not always linear and setbacks are a natural part of the journey. Instead of being discouraged by failures or obstacles, view them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and recommit to your goals with renewed determination.
Variation:Â Embrace diversity and explore different approaches, perspectives, and experiences to broaden your horizons and expand your capabilities. Be open to trying new things and stepping outside your usual routine to discover hidden talents and interests.
Rest and Recovery:Â Prioritize self-care and well-being by allowing yourself adequate time for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or other stress-reduction techniques to recharge your batteries and maintain balance in your life.
Adaptation:Â Cultivate resilience and flexibility in the face of uncertainty, change, and adversity. Instead of fearing the unknown, embrace it as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Trust in your ability to adapt and overcome challenges, knowing that each experience makes you stronger and more resilient.
By applying these principles in everyday life, you can overcome fears, navigate obstacles, and achieve your goals with confidence and determination. Whether you're pursuing personal growth, career advancement, or meaningful relationships, the principles of sports performance provide a roadmap for success that transcends the boundaries of athletics.
I believe the most important principle to overcoming your fears of the unknown and other obstacles that arise is the 7th principle, Adaptation.
What is Adaptation?
The seventh principle of sports performance, adaptation, plays a crucial role both in athletic endeavors and in our everyday lives. In sports, adaptation refers to the body's ability to adjust and improve in response to specific training stimuli. Athletes constantly push their limits, subjecting their bodies to progressively greater challenges, which prompts adaptation and growth. This adaptation can manifest as increased strength, endurance, flexibility, or skill proficiency.
Similarly, adaptation is an integral part of our daily lives. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly adapting to new situations, challenges, and environments. Just as athletes train to improve their performance, we navigate life's obstacles by adapting and evolving in response to changing circumstances.
For example, starting a new job requires adapting to a different work environment, learning new tasks, and interacting with unfamiliar colleagues. Over time, we become more proficient and comfortable in our roles as we adapt to the demands of our work.
Adaptation also plays a significant role in personal development. When faced with setbacks or failures, we adapt by learning from our experiences, adjusting our strategies, and persevering towards our goals. This resilience and ability to adapt are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success in various aspects of life.
Moreover, adaptation extends beyond individual experiences to societal and global changes. In the face of technological advancements, cultural shifts, or environmental challenges, societies and communities must adapt to thrive and progress.
Overall, the principle of adaptation underscores the importance of flexibility, resilience, and continuous learning. By embracing change and adapting to new circumstances, both in sports and in life, we can enhance our performance, overcome obstacles, and achieve our full potential.
Let's say you take a break from a skill you've mastered. Because of adaptation, regaining that skill will be MUCH easier than learning it from scratch. Your body and brain remember!
The takeaway? You're not as far from success as you think.
Even if this blog simply nudges you to overcome your resistance and revisit an old dream, that's fantastic!
Now, I mentioned the fear of the unknown being a bigger roadblock than fear of starting. Here's the key: stop personalizing every challenge. These principles are universal! They apply to everyone, regardless of their situation.
Living by these principles dismantles the mental blocks holding you back.
When you understand that adaptation is a process, you realize:
The initial discomfort is normal. It's a sign you're growing!
Being a beginner is part of the journey. Everyone starts somewhere.
Obstacles are inevitable. But with creative solutions, you can conquer them.
By embracing these ideas, you'll approach change with a calmer mindset, making that next big thing a whole lot easier.
So ditch the What-If Monster! Embrace the unknown, and watch yourself grow in ways you never imagined.
If you are looking for a partner to help you overcome your fears, your obstacles and lead the life you've always wanted, I'm here to help! Schedule a FREE 60 minute Breakthrough Session. We'll dive into your dreams, obstacles and then determine if we are a good fit for each other to move forward in your quest for joyful balance. Click below to schedule.
Did you know I also host a private Facebook group called Joyful Balance Circle? There are over 800 like-minded women in the group. We share inspiration, support and comradery. Come join the conversation with daily insightful questions, inspiring posts and even support for obstacles in our lives. We'll welcome you with open arms, minds and hearts!
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