One of the most significant issues I deal with in my work with athletes is their getting distracted by things irrelevant to the mission they are on. Often times these are high level athletes (state or national caliber), who begin to regress and crumble. Frequently the people around them start to work toward solution of problems they believe exist, and the harder the work to “help” the athlete the worse the situation gets.
Common situations I encounter fall into two categories, that may at times overlap. In the first, the athlete feels pressure to maintain her social status within the sporting community. She compares herself to others around her, questioning if she measures up, then listens to others around her for feedback that will alleviate her worries. Unfortunately, as she begins to question herself, the people she seeks feedback from recognize her nervousness and begin to amp up their own efforts to “correct” what they perceive to be wrong. This can include coaching with more/better/higher level techniques, phrases that tell her how she should think (implying what she is currently thinking is wrong), or criticizing her current/former coaches leaving her to question what she has learned to this point. Yet, the real problem is that all of this activity is simply “noise” that distracts her from what she really wants – to improve, compete, and succeed.
Another siutation I see with consistency is hyper-involved parents. I avoid the label of vicarious parenting, because this is a very specific and different issue. Instead, I’m referencing parents that bring too much intensity to competitive situations. These parents often times cross the physical boundry set for coaches, and scream things at their own child or opponents that are full of emotion laden content (typically negative). Initially the athlete tends to become keyed up, shifting their efforts to intensity over execution. Over time the athlete becomes overwhelmed (as well as embarrassed) and begins to hold back in an attempt to lower the level of anxiety. In both responses, the athlete is now underperforming, and then the cycle of being overcoached (often by the same parent) begins. Regardless if this “noise” is coming from the coach or the parent, the athlete begins to lose confidence and then performance focus becomes sporadic as he is uncertain on whose voice to listen to, and doubt of his own ability escelates.
In both scenarios the athlete succombs to distrations, and there are two types. The first is external distractions, which are likely obvious in the sitations above. Other people and the intensity they bring can amplify the already anxious competitive environment. Externals can also be situational factors. These may include qualifying events or post-season play, new and unfamiliar venues, or even extended travel and the stresses it can bring. Similarly, unfamiliarity with a playing environment can cause an athlete to become tardy in her play as she becomes confused with how to respond. Clearly, external distractions can leave an athlete with a divided attention, which results in a limited capacity to perform at his best.
The second type of distraction is internal, and these can be difficult to recognize. Although an athlete may look somewhat distraught, coaches and parents often jump to broad explanations such as, “Its all in her head,” or “He just needs to be more focused.” While there is some truth to these statements, the reality is that an athlete might be distracted by thought processes brought on by the competitive environment and/or its surroundings. Being pressured to perform can bring on doubts and insecurities that leave an athlete unable to recognize important cues to respond to in competition. In the example above, attempting to determine one’s social standing by comparing results can become a distraction, and the athlete then loses focus on playing to the situation. And in a related way, athletes may begin to believe that their own identity or self-worth is linked to the outcomes of her play. The result is that internal distractions are more “noise” that can limit an athlete’s ability to play to their potential.
The scenarios I’ve noted may sound familiar, and the explanation of the how things go bad may be helpful in understanding what distrations are and do, but having a solution is better. My advice is to lock-in on what you are trying to accomplish as the athlete. Though others’ will always have their own expectations, realize that you have the power to set your own goals. Remeber too that you are only responsible for your role. Try to avoid doing too much, and instead do your part. Stay within what you have been coached to do, knowing that adjustments can be made as you go. Finally, remember to stick with the controllables. There are only three things you ever get to have control of; effort, attitude, & focus. Everything else is beyond your control, and at best is influenced by what you bring. Be okay with giving your best, because anything else would be unfair to ask.
Another important consideration is to be realistic. Is the goal you have set for yourself actually attainable? And what tools and skills do you have to get the job done? Keep yourself grounded with goals that are both meaningful to you, and within your capability. You might also find it worth asking yourself what the actual value of succeeding is? Too often we assign greater meaning to winning than is necessary. I’m all for being competitive, but there are likely other aspects of life that are more important. And conversely, what is the actual cost of failure? When I hear people talk about winning because it will secure a certain future (i.e. a scholarship), I cringe. The rarity of one competition leading to such opportunities is so rare you can likely not name more than two instances of knowing someone this has happened to. Instead, the body of work (including growth and remaining potential) are more likely going to result in your getting recognized at the “next level”.
What ever you compete in, and no matter the level, “noise” will be part of the process. Whether the distractions of noise are external or internal, the key to cut through it by putting your attention on what you can actually get done. Let the expectations of others be just that, theirs to carry. Set your own expectations, and keep them within reason. Should you find yourself needing more help in this area, why wait? Make the call, bring in an expert.