The Mental Mind Game From A Really Off Night
I was scheduled to talk with one of my younger clients, and the night before I watched the highlights of the Nashville/St. Louis game. This game was insane, especially by NHL standards. A 1-1 game into the second period….and then St. Louis scored seven goals!
Jusse Sarros got the yank after four, then Rittich went in and let in another four, and then Sarros went back in! This brought back some deeply suppressed feelings from my playing days:) Every goalie has these nightmares, and when they wake up, they realise it actually happened. Sleepless nights follow, and coming right up the rear, is self doubt.
The reason I brought up my young client, was because after watching this game, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the highlights and talk about it. It was a great example because even an All Star goalie like Jusse Sarros, can let loose of the steering wheel and crash from time to time.
Using examples of highly skilled players, takes away some of the weight a person will feel, making it easier to talk about it. The goal ultimately, is to make the problem smaller, and shrink it to the point where it’s just not that big of a deal.
Having the ability to shake off something like this quickly and move on, is a game changer. It will not only help you as a goalie, it will help you in your life. For many people, handling adversity can be a big problem, and it can worsen to the point of depression.
There are many ways to help with this issue, and I will leave you with one tip…
Perspective. Think of some really truly important things that people are dealing with, pick whatever you want. For me, when I was playing, I used to remember back when my mother was going through having cancer, and after a long hard fought battle, she finally passed away. I remember everything my family went through, everything my mom went through, and immediately, it would put my bad game into perspective.
Now I’m not saying it has to be a death in the family, I’m just giving you an example. The idea that having a bad game, defines you in any REAL way at all, is a lie. You are worthy regardless, and I don’t even know you;)
Just get up, dust yourself off, and keep kickin’.
Dusty Imoo