The next few weeks of hockey are pretty hectic here in Ontario.  The provincial championships are this weekend, the biggest girls hockey tournament in the world is next weekend and then tryouts for next year’s teams start the next day.  It’s a stressful time for players, parents and coaches alike. So this is a message for all the players who are nervous and excited about the tryouts.  With big games and critical tryouts just around the corner, there is one thing you need more than anything else and that’s…

 

==>  CONFIDENCE

 

You aren’t going to drastically change your skills between now and tryouts.  But you can dramatically improve your confidence in a short period of time.   Confidence comes from inside you – not from your parents, coaches, teammates or friends.  You have complete control over it.  So to help to get you ready for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in the next few weeks…

 

… Here are 8 of my favorite quotes about CONFIDENCE.

 

::  Confidence is preparation.  Everything else is beyond your control.

 

::  Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

(Meaning:  There is NO reason anything anyone says or does has to make you feel bad about yourself. You choose the way you interpret what happens to you.)

 

::  It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.

 

::  We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.

 

::  The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.

(Meaning:  If you put yourself down or think you aren’t good enough, you are opening the door for others to treat you the same way).

 

::  Nothing reduces the odds against you like ignoring them.

 

 

 

::  Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.

 

::  Don’t let anyone steal your dream.  It’s your dream, not theirs.

 

I hope that one of the quotes above really speaks to you and helps you to get ready for the challenges ahead.  Remember to stay focused on the 2 things you’ve got control over – your attitude and your work ethic.

Work Hard and Dream BIG.

 

Good luck!

 

Your friend and coach,

 

Kim

 

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes