Give Thanks for Your Sports

From time to time, all athletes need an attitude adjustment. You hear them after a game complaining, "I just stunk out there, and the coach is never putting me in the game again," or "All that training was for nothing." Not meeting performance goals, whether a result of unrealistic expectations, an unforeseen injury or less-than-ideal weather conditions, can test our confidence and enthusiasm for future competitions. However, that wasted emotional energy spent rehashing and worrying about the last event will only take away from the next one. After reflecting on what might have gone wrong and how we might learn from those mistakes, it's time to move on. Most importantly, don't lose sight of the big picture. It is both an accomplishment and a privilege to be a competitive high school athlete. Therefore, especially at this time of year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we need to adopt an "attitude of gratitude." Imagine the possibilities if we focused primarily on our strengths rather than our weaknesses and on opportunities rather than problems. Setbacks promote new standards of excellence and mistakes offer new insights and learning. By appreciating the gifts of the moment, we are released from past regrets and anxieties about the future. Rather than worry about winning the state championship or securing a college scholarship, why not embrace the challenges and mini-victories of each game and each practice? As athletes, it's life-changing to realize the joy and pride of being a part of a team--this team, this season, now. This type of grateful thinking produces a ripple effect. Now we are committing to the welfare of others, to mutual trust and respect. From this evolves new personal assets such as purpose, passion, integrity and resilience. Jim Tressel, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, writes in his book The Winners Manual, "I think that the final outcome of most football games is affected more by attitude than by talent. An athlete with a good attitude is coachable because he welcomes criticism and seeks to learn." Tressel constantly works to instill an attitude of gratitude in his players because he believes this has the greatest impact on them both on and off the field. In fact, the Buckeyes have one mandatory activity. Each day during a quiet time, they must write down one thing for which they are grateful. Various research studies in the field of positive psychology have concluded that those who practice grateful thinking experience a wide range of benefits that would certainly be advantageous to athletes. Grateful people are more enthusiastic, determined, attentive, motivated and strong. Furthermore, those who jot down their blessings daily report sleeping peacefully and waking each day refreshed and optimistic about the week ahead. This Thanksgiving, take time to reflect on your gifts as an athlete: your health, talents, challenges and friendships. Forget past mistakes or inadequacies and think only of the best. This season, let's commit to more than simply saying we're grateful and fortunate, but to living and playing with an attitude of gratitude.