Day 6: The Power of a Strength Based Approach

The pursuit of excellence is a never ending journey. In fact the modern method for this pursuit has changed from a "fix your weakness" to a "develop your strengths" approach.

Why does this strengths based approach work so well?

There is a pretty good chance your strengths got you where you are (i.e. making the team, getting the scholarship, etc.).

The concept of taking a strengths based approach to your development and athletic career is so important because at the end of the day who wants to work on things they are not good at all day? That isn’t motivating!

Understanding how to leverage your strengths can be a powerful tool for improving performance and developing greater mental toughness.

What Are Strengths?

Strengths are the inherent qualities and talents that each athlete possesses. These include physical abilities, such as speed, agility, and balance, as well as mental strengths, such as perseverance, discipline, and focus. By identifying and developing these strengths, athletes can increase their performance and maintain a competitive edge.

How Strengths Affect Performance

Focusing on strengths can have a significant impact on performance in several ways including:

• Increased Confidence: When you focus on your strengths, you can build confidence and self-esteem, which can motivate you to work harder and push yourself further.

• Improved Motivation: By leveraging your strengths, you can find new ways to stay motivated and focused on your goals. This can lead to increased determination and a greater willingness to push through adversity.

• Better Performance: When you focus on your strengths you can often find new ways to improve technique and strategy. This, in turn, can lead to better performance and an increased likelihood of success.

• A Positive Mindset Takes Centre Stage: Sport psychology teaches us the mind plays a significant role in an athlete's performance. By focusing on strengths, we build a positive mindset. Emphasizing what we excel at bolsters self-confidence and belief in our abilities. With a positive outlook, we are more likely to tackle challenges head-on, viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

• Building Essential Self-Awareness: A key aspect of sport psychology is self-awareness. Recognizing strengths and weaknesses is crucial for us to identify areas for growth and development. By focusing on your strengths, you not only build self-confidence but also gain valuable insights into your game. This awareness allows for better goal-setting, informed decision-making, and a more well-rounded approach to training.

• Setting Realistic & Achievable Goals: Focusing on strengths can help you set realistic and achievable goals. By aligning objectives with your areas of expertise, you can capitalize on what we do best. This approach to goal-setting ensures that we have a higher likelihood of success, boosting our confidence and sense of accomplishment.

• Building Resilience: Athletic journeys are inevitably peppered with challenges and setbacks. Focusing on strengths equips you with mental resilience. During tough times, you can draw upon your past successes and areas of expertise to navigate adversity. This resilience fosters a never-give-up attitude, enabling you to bounce back stronger and more determined after facing setbacks.

Developing Strengths

Athletes can develop their strengths in a number of ways:

• Training and Practice: By focusing on specific areas during training and practice sessions, you can hone your strengths and improve your performance.

• Mental Training: Visualization, mindfulness, and other mental training techniques can help you build mental toughness and focus, which in turn can improve performance.

• Collaboration: Working with coaches and trainers to identify and develop strengths can be a powerful tool for athletes and teams. Coaches can provide valuable feedback and guidance to help use your strengths in the most effective way possible.

Focusing on strengths cannot be overstated. It paves the way for a positive mindset, unyielding motivation, enhanced performance, and the cultivation of mental resilience. As we continue our quest for excellence, recognizing and harnessing your individual strengths can be the catalyst for reaching new heights and pushing the limits. Embracing these strengths not only transforms athletic performance but also enhances the overall well-being and enjoyment of the sport.

Key Take Aways

• Strengths are essential: Understanding and leveraging your strengths is crucial for improving performance and mental toughness.

• Build confidence and motivation: Focusing on strengths can increase your confidence and motivation, leading to greater determination and perseverance.

• Improve performance: By developing our strengths, we can enhance technique, strategy, and overall performance.

• Training and collaboration: Develop strengths through targeted training, mental training techniques, and collaboration with coaches and trainers.

Self-Reflective Moment