Be more like BELLA

Bella is my friends little one, who is 10; but an absolute superstar at gymnastics. The key though is - whether she wins or loses - what matters to her that she gets to be a gymnast.

One might ask, what makes Bella so special? Why am I even mentioning her? Has she even competed at a higher level? Does she know what pressure is?

All valid point or questions, however, first and foremost, what makes Bella special is her childlike curiosity, her energetic nature to just be in the moment and above all pure joy, enthusiasm and joy that she gets to be a gymnast with the secondary gain being, she gets to do this with her friend. You see, this is what helps Bella to stay motivated and engaged in her sport of choice.

When we’re enthusiastic about something, we’re more likely to put in the effort required to excel at it. This is especially true for athletes like yourself, who need to commit a significant amount of time and energy to training and competition. When an athlete is genuinely curious about their sport - eager to learn new techniques, explore different training methods, and challenge themselves - they’re more likely to stay motivated and dedicated in the long run.

In addition to improving motivation, maintaining a sense of childlike wonder can also help athletes approach their sport with a sense of creativity and innovation. As children, we’re naturally curious and uninhibited, willing to try new things and explore the unknown. This willingness to experiment and take risks can be incredibly valuable for adult athletes, who need to constantly adapt to changing conditions and competition. By maintaining a sense of childlike creativity and innovation, athletes can find new ways to train, compete, and improve - ultimately leading to better overall performance.

Another benefit of being more like Bella is the ability to find joy in the process of athletic performance. Often, athletes get so focused on achieving results (winning competitions, setting records, etc.) that they lose sight of the simple pleasures of participating in their sport. By approaching their sport with a sense of childlike wonder, athletes can find joy in the simple act of running, jumping, or throwing, regardless of the outcome. This can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience as an athlete, and help to prevent burnout or disillusionment.

It’s also worth noting that maintaining a sense of childlike curiosity and energy isn’t just beneficial for performance - it can also lead to a better overall life experience. As I mentioned earlier, losing that sense of wonder and enthusiasm for the world around us is common as we get older. However, adults who manage to keep that childlike spark alive tend to be more open-minded, creative, and joyful than those who don’t. This can apply to all areas of life, not just athletics. By embracing curiosity and energy, adults can approach their work, relationships, and hobbies with a sense of enthusiasm and creativity, leading to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life overall - which by the mere nature of the law of thermodynamics, leads to better outcomes.

So, how can adult athletes maintain that childlike curiosity and energy? Here are a few ideas:

#1 Embrace a growth mindset

Rather than viewing success as fixed and unchanging, embrace the idea that you can always improve and learn. This sense of curiosity and growth can help fuel motivation and energize performance.

#2 Try new things

Whether it’s exploring a new training method or trying a new sport altogether, stepping outside your comfort zone can help keep things fresh and exciting.

#3 Focus on the process, not just results

While achieving results is important, it’s also important to find joy in the simple act of participating in your sport. Focus on the experience of training and competing, rather than just winning or losing. Be fully committed (to the process) and totally unattached (to the outcome). Once you embody this, see the magic unfold.

#4 Embrace playfulness

There’s nothing wrong with having fun while you train and compete! Embrace a playful, lighthearted attitude towards your sport to keep things enjoyable and energizing.

#5 Find inspiration in other areas of life

Whether it’s exploring a new hobby or spending time with loved ones, finding joy and inspiration outside of athletics can help maintain a sense of enthusiasm and energy for your sport. You see that is the precursor to an elevated performance state.

# Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining a sense of childlike curiosity and energy, like BELLA; can be incredibly beneficial for adult athletes, both in terms of improving performance and overall life enjoyment. By embracing a growth mindset, trying new things, focusing on the process rather than just results, embracing playfulness, and finding inspiration elsewhere, athletes can stay motivated, creative, and joyful throughout their athletic journey.

Are you embodying these now? Are your current strategies working for you? If not, reach out to us.

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