The Most Powerful Advice I Ever Received: “Just because it failed doesn’t mean you’re a failure”

Just because it failed, doesn’t mean you’re a failure. I heard this for the first time when I was in my early 20’s. Having completed an arduous laboratory experiment which required many repetitions over weeks of work, I could draw … Continue reading

The Pygmalion Effect: Believing in them can help them succeed

It’s not just myth. Expecting them to succeed can increase the chances they will. It’s called the Pygmalion effect and it’s real. Here’s how it played out for me. *** “Wish me luck! I’m headed out to play nine,” I … Continue reading

Facilitating the Mental Game with Athlete Journals

Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that … Continue reading

Failure Isn’t fatal

Failure isn’t fatal, it’s fortunate. In fact, it’s necessary. Somehow, failure has come to be synonymous with worthless, hopeless, futureless and bad. We hear it as a judgment on ourselves, our kids, and our families. You’re a total failure. Take … Continue reading

When Good Sportsmanship Doesn’t Make the Cut

“Nice guys finish last.” It stings to be the parent of the kid whose primary objective was “to be a good teammate” as she is cut from the high school JV squad. Why does it hurt so much? Because, for … Continue reading

Want Them to Play with Urgency? Tell them the Final Whistle is About to Sound

A goal down and five minutes on the clock. There’s nothing like the play of a team in the final minutes of the game. There’s focus, determination, energy, persistence. They throw caution to the wind and attack relentlessly. They’ve got … Continue reading

Good Job, Good Effort — Really?

Rewind to June 2012: The Boston Celtics win Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat and go up 3-2 in the series. The ever-present TV cameras catch the mood of the losing team as they head into … Continue reading

What Color is Your Fitness? Take the Quiz

What’s your fitness color? Really. Your fitness has a personality and a color. So says author Suzanne Brue, who wrote The 8 Colors of Fitness: Discover Your Color-Coded Fitness Personality and Create an Exercise Program You’ll Never Quit. Take her … Continue reading

Pain AND Gain: On the Edge of Injury AND Glory

I got to spend my mornings last week with the First Ladies of soccer, the Washington Spirit. I have never seen that kind of soccer quite so up close and personal. These women are phenomenal. Just standing by, I can … Continue reading

Want to help your female athletes think and play with confidence? Write it down

Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that … Continue reading