by Mike Margolies | Sep 4, 2014 | mental training, perfectionism, Soccer
Digital vs Analog thinking: an issue for perfectionist in sport and business
I am working with a number of perfectionist clients at the moment. All have different reasons for how they came to believe they needed to be this way. as you may know if you have read me over time I deal mostly in solutions rather than in causes. Yes understanding your cause with regard to perfectionism is helpful, it also takes a long time to understand. So I prefer to help people with solutions instead and this is where the idea of Digital vs Analog thinking: an issue for perfectionist in sport and business comes to play.
We live in a digital age. The age of computers. Computer language is build on 00011100 coding. Ones and zeros, on verses off. Much like a light switch we are either perfect or we are un-perfect and if un-perfect it that it means something is unacceptable, then we are in a world of hurt. This digital thinking leads to anxiety, loss of confidence and frequently a dismantling of the individual self concept of themselves. This of course leads them down the path were they become even more perfectionistic and at some point either give up or continue in the whirlpool of self incrimination.
I’ve written other posts here on how this cycle is triggered often by shame, but for now I want to focus on helping you change the cycle one step at a time. I want you to think analog. For some of you this can be hard as so much of our world is no digital.
I’d like you to think of change as a radio dial instead of a light switch. Change ne
ed not be on or off. Certainly athletic improvement is not on / off but gradual, and that is exactly how you need to think. This is analog thinking. Recognizing that improvement comes in stages and that being perfect may be the ultimate result, but accepting gradual improvement and momentary failure is simply part of the process. it’s like finding the right station on the radio dial. You start at one end of the spectrum and move in the direction of something you want. It could be a different station or it could be volume control. It is most definitely not just turning on the radio and expecting it to play the music you want at the right volume.
This is in fact what the entire journey is about. It is the pursuit of excellence that we are after. Mental Game training is all about preparing for your best performance. We know that when you are Calm, Confident, Motivated, Focused and Play Carefree that you are as close to playing your own perfect game. But if your focus is on just flipping a switch mentally Its harder to get there.
I see perfectionism as a terrible waste of energy. It is often brought on from feelings of shame. shame is a tool that others in our past used to control us. It has no place in your head. We can work on that again at a later date, but for now, if you would, think analog and your progress will be enhanced and you’ll enjoy the journey much more.
]
Digital vs Analog thinking: an issue for perfectionist in sport and business
I am working with a number of perfectionist clients at the moment. All have different reasons for how they came to believe they needed to be this way. as you may know if you have read me over time I deal mostly in solutions rather than in causes. Yes understanding your cause with regard to perfectionism is helpful, it also takes a long time to understand. So I prefer to help people with solutions instead and this is where the idea of Digital vs Analog thinking: an issue for perfectionist in sport and business comes to play.
We live in a digital age. The age of computers. Computer language is build on 00011100 coding. Ones and zeros, on verses off. Much like a light switch we are either perfect or we are un-perfect and if un-perfect it that it means something is unacceptable, then we are in a world of hurt. This digital thinking leads to anxiety, loss of confidence and frequently a dismantling of the individual self concept of themselves. This of course leads them down the path were they become even more perfectionistic and at some point either give up or continue in the whirlpool of self incrimination.
I’ve written other posts here on how this cycle is triggered often by shame, but for now I want to focus on helping you change the cycle one step at a time. I want you to think analog. For some of you this can be hard as so much of our world is no digital.
I’d like you to think of change as a radio dial instead of a light switch. Change need not be on or off. Certainly athletic improvement is not on / off but gradual, and that is exactly how you need to think. This is analog thinking. Recognizing that improvement comes in stages and that being perfect may be the ultimate result, but accepting gradual improvement and momentary failure is simply part of the process. it’s like finding the right station on the radio dial. You start at one end of the spectrum and move in the direction of something you want. It could be a different station or it could be volume control. It is most definitely not just turning on the radio and expecting it to play the music you want at the right volume.
This is in fact what the entire journey is about. It is the pursuit of excellence that we are after. Mental Game training is all about preparing for your best performance. We know that when you are Calm, Confident, Motivated, Focused and Play Carefree that you are as close to playing your own perfect game. But if your focus is on just flipping a switch mentally Its harder to get there.
I see perfectionism as a terrible waste of energy. It is often brought on from feelings of shame. shame is a tool that others in our past used to control us. It has no place in your head. We can work on that again at a later date, but for now, if you would, think analog and your progress will be enhanced and you’ll enjoy the journey much more.
Carousel Item 1
Lorem lorem libero consectetur dolor adipiscing hendrerit ipsum adipiscing elit libero consectetur link
Carousel Item 2
Lorem consectetur adipiscing adipiscing amet hendrerit dolor elit amet ipsum amet consectetur link
[/wr_column]
by Mike Margolies | Jun 15, 2013 | Anxiety, Football, Inspiration, mental training, Motivation, Soccer, sport psychology, Volleyball
Tru Athlete Event
I am helping with a group here in the area called The Tru Athlete. A very cool idea. Competitors compete as a team in three sports. Soccer, Flag Football and Volleyball. It is Co-Ed. Ten players per team. Two female players on the field / court at all times. Champion is crowned by team that accumulates most points in all events. All in one day.
I am doing pre-competition talk to get everyone ready. Not really a motivational talk, because as you know I don’t do that. I help others find their motivation. But none the less I will try to inspire a few teams and be there during the day to help with their frustrations, anxiety and focus.
I am setting up in a booth. It will look something like this. I hope you know who doesn’t mind. I’d hate to have her pull the football away from me for taking her job.
Yes I am charging a nickel that’s 5 Cents. Depending on the long lines (right) consultations will be five minutes or longer. Might give them some exercises to do or play some games. I could do a concentration / focus exercise for a time and give away a prize. That could be fun. Fastest time wins a book or 1 hr consultation. Say a $1 per entry. Who says Mental training can’t be fun?
All money from consultations will be given to charity (not sure which one yet). I will also sell books and give some of the profits to the same charity. It should be a fun event. Not the usual event I work at. There isn’t always beer when I’m working. But it will be fun. Come join us at Starfire Sports July 27th, 2013. It will be a blast. It’s The Tru Athlete. They will be doing more of these events around the country. Might have to send my booth with them if Lucy doesn’t mind, that is.
by Mike Margolies | Dec 28, 2012 | Author, Baseball, business, choices, Confidence, Emotional Intelligence, EQ, Fear, focus, Football, Goal Setting, Goals, mental toughness, mental training, Mike Margolies, Motivation, Olympics, opening speaker, Soccer, sport psychology, Stress, Thoughts
A year in review 2012
I’ve not ever felt a need to do this before, to have a year in review. It is a new experience for me. I want to look back at 2012 with clarity and be able to move forward in new ways. So taking my own advice, I am going back over the successes and of course challenges of the past year. You can cut to the chase by going to the last paragraph if you like.
Starting with the Athletes and their sports
Sounders FC U23 Player DeAndre Yedlin with Mike Margolies
I worked with an amazing group of athletes this year including those in the following sports: Golf, football, gymnastics, hockey, equestrians, soccer, tennis, swimming, softball, baseball, track, diving, roller derby, basketball, triathlon, cycling, fencing, water skiing, fitness, power lifting and lacrosse.
Competitor’s ages ranged from 12 to 70+. Competitive levels were club, high school, college and professional. Seven high school athletes earned scholarships or were accepted to their first choice college as an athlete (Ivy League = no athletic scholarships). One college walk-on earned her full scholarship. Most the athletes, but not all, were starters on their respective teams. In the end all were starting most of their games. I worked with a few teams as well at the club and minor league levels. All in all it was a very good year for the clients I worked with. If I were to put it in baseball terms, I would say that we batted around .900 Read the rest of the post by choosing more…. (more…)
by Mike Margolies | Jul 31, 2012 | concentration, Mike Margolies, Olympics, Soccer, sport psychologist, sport psychology, Stress
Olympic Conversation and More
Whenever the Olympics roll around I love to listen in on the commentary. A great deal is always about the psychological aspects of competition. So this is about Olympic conversation and more. Yesterday they talked about how the most celebrated beach volleyball players in the world added psychological training to what they do. There are always mentions of athletes cracking under pressure and those that excel with it. The one’s that excel often mention that they work with a sport psychology consultant. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with 14 or so that have gone on to the World Championships and the Olympics. Some have won and some not. It is a competition after all. All of them said their performance was the best that they had to give, win or lose. Isn’t that what everyone wants to come away saying? I’m putting together some examples and I will post them later in the Olympics. It is a great place to observe how athletes cope with being on such a huge stage. Do they lose focus? Does a normally fluid performer look stiff with tension? Are there lots of unforced errors? What were the effects of being successful and coming back for more and what were those implications? All Great Stuff.
Olympic Conversation and More, here’s the more
I so rarely post pictures of myself with clients. I do so only with their consent. This is a picture of me and DeAndre Yedlin. He plays for Sounders FC U23’s and the University of Akron.
Sounders FC U23 Player DeAndre Yedlin with Mike Margolies
That is Soccer of course. The PDL League is perhaps the same as Minor League Baseball A Ball and or other semi pro leagues.. Combination of college and X college players working towards playing professionally. Today he was named to the All PDL National Team. I’m very happy for him. Great work ethic, great attitude and of course a great mental game.
The common theme today is simple. Olympians using sport psychology. One of the best College players in North America using sport psychology. So the question is, as always, Are You?
And I’m not asking everyone to call me. (It would be nice however, as I would love to hear from you). I am saying that you should gather information and incorporate it into your training program.
If you are interested in learning more just go to www.themental-game.com
by Mike Margolies | Mar 28, 2012 | Author, Football, Soccer, sport psychologist, sport psychology
This was an interview I did for Prosoccerway.com in Europe. I work a lot in soccer having coached it for 35 years. The author of the article is Luka Elsner
Luka Elsner
Interview with sport psychologist Mike Margolies by Luka Elsner- Prosoccerway.com
Lack of Self-confidence? Difficulty to focus? Pre-event anxiety? Sounds familiar? Of course it does. Every one of us has gone through phases where the mind was restricting the body to perform at his best. Well, giving the fact that many coaches pay attention only to the machine (the body) and not to what’s controlling it (the mind), it is no surprise that athletes are often lost when they encounter psychological boundaries. Even with the best physical, technical and tactical training, a player can feel negative impulses before a game, limiting his performance on the field. There was a time when athletes could rely only on their coaches experience to help them transform anxiety into positive stress. Today, Sport psychology is a well-researched science and Mind-Specialists are here to give every athlete the opportunity to perform at their best.
We asked Mike Margolies, a professional sports psychologist, to give us some answers about the role of a mental coach and the positive effects of his work on the athlete’s performances. Mr. Margolies has such a tremendous experience that every information he gives us is extremely valuable. In addition to his expertise in the field that is interesting us today, he played and coached soccer for 35 years. He’s also the author of the book The athlete within you- a mental approach to sports & business.
- Mr. Margolies, since when is Sport psychology a recognized science in the field of Sport Performance? As a field of study most would suggest that SP as a field began in the 1920’s in Europe, followed a little later in North America. The work in North America was limited through the 1960’s. A greater emphasis was on motor learning (skill acquisition). I’ve read reports that the Soviets and East Germans brought Sports Psychologists to the Olympic Games as early as the 1950’s. Many in North America credit Bruce Ogilvie, a Canadian Psychologist trained in both the US and in the UK as the modern father of applied sports psychology. I’ll go with that as Bruce was one of my first mentors (along with his best friend Marv Clein) and friend. I met Bruce in 1976 as I began my Masters Program with Marv Clein. The field of applied sport psychology has grown ever since. I was part of one of the first conferences on Stress Management in Sports around 1978 or 79. It’s been an interesting journey. I would like to tell you that sport psychology and mental training is completely accepted, but that would not be true. If you check this link I’ve written some posts for hockey talking about the role of sport psychology. http://bit.ly/zdjSpw
(more…)
We live in a digital age. The age of computers. Computer language is build on 00011100 coding. Ones and zeros, on verses off. Much like a light switch we are either perfect or we are un-perfect and if un-perfect it that it means something is unacceptable, then we are in a world of hurt. This digital thinking leads to anxiety, loss of confidence and frequently a dismantling of the individual self concept of themselves. This of course leads them down the path were they become even more perfectionistic and at some point either give up or continue in the whirlpool of self incrimination. 
