Belief
Soccer teaches lessons. And if it doesn't teach them, it validates or reinforces intuitions or ideas we've developed and suspected.
The first time I heard the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy was in a 100 level psych class at Moorpark Community College. It made sense, that the mind is so strong and suggestions can be planted and we carry out future realities we have convinced ourselves of.
If one buys the concept, then paying attention to self-talk and the talk others send your way matters.
The mind is powerful. Mind and body are inseparable. Mind and body and the context they exist within are just as inseparable.
Language is also powerful. It can act as the script we need to carry out actions. If we aren't operating out of impulse, we imagine a possibility (often framed in language) before we actualize it.
It was one of the first futsal teams I ever played on years back out at Portland Futsal. I had been invited to be part of this team by my close friend Ivan, who is an amazing player. When I found out who the other players on the team would be, I agreed without hesitation; they were all technical, skilled players. I also had huge doubts as to what contribution I could make to a group with so much talent.
(This experience was a part of me learning that "team" is more important than individuals; with all the talent we had, we struggled all season against inferior players who played as one.)
But, I digress.
The first game in I realized the intensity, physicality and level of play of this league. That being said, I didn't feel too out of place, but it was clear that I wasn't up to par with the majority of these players. Now let me get to the point of the story. At one point in the game, a penalty is awarded to us. Ivan (again, an incredible player), picks up the ball with one hand and gives it to me. As he does, he says (in Spanish), "Here. You take it. You're good at this."
Somewhere deep in my mind I shat myself. I knew who was on the court with me. I knew how good they all were. I know how good Ivan is. Also, I had never taken a penalty. Never in my life had I been the player on any team to be the one to. Beyond that, it wasn't true. I wasn't "good at this," but mostly because I had never done this.
I took the ball. There wasn't time to think. It was all feeling. But all those doubt were trumped because Ivan had said what he said with such conviction, and he had chosen me over everyone around me.
I set the ball down, hit it with the inside of my left and beat the keeper. It was in the net. Since that day, I am good at it.
That day, I learned the power of belief, the belief others cast on you, the belief you grow and carry in your own heart.
The first time I heard the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy was in a 100 level psych class at Moorpark Community College. It made sense, that the mind is so strong and suggestions can be planted and we carry out future realities we have convinced ourselves of.
If one buys the concept, then paying attention to self-talk and the talk others send your way matters.
The mind is powerful. Mind and body are inseparable. Mind and body and the context they exist within are just as inseparable.
Language is also powerful. It can act as the script we need to carry out actions. If we aren't operating out of impulse, we imagine a possibility (often framed in language) before we actualize it.
It was one of the first futsal teams I ever played on years back out at Portland Futsal. I had been invited to be part of this team by my close friend Ivan, who is an amazing player. When I found out who the other players on the team would be, I agreed without hesitation; they were all technical, skilled players. I also had huge doubts as to what contribution I could make to a group with so much talent.
(This experience was a part of me learning that "team" is more important than individuals; with all the talent we had, we struggled all season against inferior players who played as one.)
But, I digress.
The first game in I realized the intensity, physicality and level of play of this league. That being said, I didn't feel too out of place, but it was clear that I wasn't up to par with the majority of these players. Now let me get to the point of the story. At one point in the game, a penalty is awarded to us. Ivan (again, an incredible player), picks up the ball with one hand and gives it to me. As he does, he says (in Spanish), "Here. You take it. You're good at this."
Somewhere deep in my mind I shat myself. I knew who was on the court with me. I knew how good they all were. I know how good Ivan is. Also, I had never taken a penalty. Never in my life had I been the player on any team to be the one to. Beyond that, it wasn't true. I wasn't "good at this," but mostly because I had never done this.
I took the ball. There wasn't time to think. It was all feeling. But all those doubt were trumped because Ivan had said what he said with such conviction, and he had chosen me over everyone around me.
I set the ball down, hit it with the inside of my left and beat the keeper. It was in the net. Since that day, I am good at it.
That day, I learned the power of belief, the belief others cast on you, the belief you grow and carry in your own heart.
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