04 Aug Go for Gold
The Paris 2024 Olympics are providing chills and thrills. We often held our breath as stumbles completely unnerved some athletes and dashed their chances of medaling. Others shook it off and came back even stronger. If you’re facing a challenge– when running a race or delivering a presentation, there are ways you can adjust and recover.
Preparation:
What you may not expect is that a poor rehearsal can ensure a solid performance– when it counts. The US women’s gymnastics team had many missteps in the semi-finals, but went on to win Gold in the all-around competition. Stay positive. And before you perform, loosen up physically, breathe, and remember your Intention.
Delivery:
Waiting to go on (in gymnastics or speaking) ramps up anxiety. To get into the performance mindset and be focused, practice deep breathing or listen to music. We call this bridging.
While performing, if you have a misstep– like the female Chinese gymnasts on the high bar, put it immediately behind you and press on, staying in the moment.
In the Audience:
Support your teammates. Keep your expression positive and if your colleague stumbles, give your version of “Shake it off—you got this!” that we heard from one of the gymnast’s parents in the stands.
After the event, give a teammate support and positive feedback, even when they haven’t done their best. It’s impossible to always be 100% and everyone needs bolstering from those of us who know how difficult it is. Faster. Higher. Stronger.
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