http://www.sloh.org/world-athletics-competition/
The athletes, impostor syndrome, and self-doubt
As a wrestler, coach, and many officers Kickboxing World Champion and USA Karate The teams, I can assure the syndrome the imposter is alive and well in the world of sport.
A great example was in The Ultimate Fighter 5 when Joe Scarola, a student coach, Matt Serra out with seconds to go in the first fight. Serra was yelling at Scarola hold for a few seconds when Scarola bored. Serra, who has known and worked with since Scarola I was a child, said: "I just do not want to be here. "
That, in my experience, is a classic syndrome of "> Impostor Syndrome at work. These are athletes who are more interested in not look bad to win.
Sport psychology studies show that athletes do they hope to gain more than those without. That may seem obvious, but many athletes reading this recognize the depth of this truth.
Committed to winning athletes want to win and hate losing. When they win, they will tell you why and how. When they do lose in the first place implies that wounded, distracted, or official blew the call. It is usually followed by a material standard response as: "We have to regroup …" or something generic if it is an interview.
Athletes who are not committed to winning do otherwise. When you win, say something like: "I have luck today … "Or" I really could have gone either way … "These athletes would not withdraw to below their full effort and accept a loss of about, instead of giving all they have and still lose. If you take too much credit for the victory, have a fear that is expected to continue to win.
If they lose, they'll say something like, "but I like the challenge … "or" I'm happy to be here … "
Clearly, not all athletes are in either end of the spectrum of these examples. But this discussion refers to the high caliber amateur and professional athletes with more at stake in the competition the weekend warrior average.
The difference between winning and losing can be literally "by a nose", but the difference in the rewards can be enormous.
Part of the preparation for competition is the condition of mind to accept and embrace the pain that the athlete may have to endure to win. A good coach also works on mental preparation to help athletes understand that this feeling of insecurity or are pretending is common. Studies show that up to 70% of the population is affected by Impostor Syndrome "> impostor syndrome, and that includes athletes.
In fact, many of us, including myself, entered into a sport to help us gain some confidence and overcome doubt. Coaches and teachers serve their athletes do well to recognize that athletes and let you know that every great champion doubt.
Muhammad Ali said that before every fight that was ranked in the locker room bathroom trying to pee, but was so nervous he could not. In his book, this is going to hurt, Tito Ortiz says he cries before every fight. All great champions have doubt.
We need to let our athletes know that it's okay doubts about himself and then submit them to the strategies to overcome them.
About the Author
About the Author
John Graden is an author and speaker. His latest book, “The Imposter Syndrome” is previewed in this article. He can be reached at johngraden@mac.com. More information on Mr. Graden and The Imposter Syndrome can be found at JohnGraden.com
NZ Secondary Schools Athletics Competition Christchurch 2006