Athletes are used to the rhythms of their athletic seasons. They work hard in the off-season. They amp it up with their teammates in pre-season. They battle and compete throughout the season (and into the post-season). Then, they take a little time to rest, recover and rejuvenate before doing it all again. But many athletes don’t take the time to notice the strides they’ve made. They don’t reflect on the year. They just keep pressing on.
If I’m honest, I was the same way. I never paused long enough to look back at what I’d accomplished. I never really noticed the improvements I made from year-to-year. My mindset was always on what I lacked or what I needed to do to improve…again and again.
And that isn’t necessary bad. But investing in reflection would have been helpful too.
What is reflection anyway?
Reflection is giving careful thought to your own experiences. It gives the brain time to pause amidst the busyness of an athlete’s hectic schedule and think through their own observations, experiences, and relationships. From this intentional time of thinking they create meaning from their experiences, which shapes their actions and attitudes moving forward. Reflection is a catalyst for an athlete’s growth and development.
Why athletes may not pause to reflect:
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They don’t know how. Athletes are used to reviewing in-game decisions, game film, and technique. But reflection is a bit different.
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They don’t like the process. Athletes aren’t used to slowing down, adopting a mindset of exploration and curiosity, and an exercise that can seem inefficient.
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They have a bias for action. Athletes are doers. They like to be active and on the move. They gravitate toward activities that drive progress.
6 Meaningful Questions to Help Athletes End the Year on a High Note
Use these questions to help your athletes reflect on the past year, punctuate their progress, and end the year on a high note. Help them overcome these barriers, celebrate successes, and take stock in what they’ve accomplished in the past year.
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What challenges have you overcome in the past year? Did you overcome an injury, battle with anxiety, or cope with adversity off-the-field?
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What are 3 things you are grateful for about your sport experience in the past year? Did you strengthen friendships, breakthrough a personal barrier, or receive an award for your hard work?
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Who in your sport sphere has had a positive impact on you this year? What impact have they had? Did a coach encourage you through a rough patch, a teammate make everything more fun, or a trainer help you overcome a setback?
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What surprised you most about yourself this past year? Did you manage your emotions on the court better than ever, become a leader in your locker room, or show resilience in the face of uncertain situations?
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Identify the 3 things you’ve improved the most this year. What evidence confirms this? Did you improve your mental game, your hands, agility, leadership, confidence, or endurance?
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What are you most proud of in the past year? Was it an achievement, they way you responded under pressure, or how you supported a teammate?
In Mental Training Academy™ (our online course) reflection is a key part of the Mental Performance Plans we teach athletes. These help them to get more out of practice and compete with consistency. You can get more info here.
Bonus Download
To help your athletes celebrate their progress this year, I developed this free reflection worksheet you can share with them. If now isn’t the right time for your players to reflect, save it until the end of the season or a time that fits your team’s rhythms.
Pause. Reflect. Grow.
Encourage your athletes to take time to reflect on all they’ve accomplished and experienced at the end of year. Highlight the challenges they’ve overcome and the progress they’ve made. This truly is an essential ingredient for continued improvement and unleashing their potential. Use the 6 questions above (or add your own) to overcome the barriers to reflection and give them a game plan to follow. This exercise will improve motivation and engagement while staving off athlete burnout.
Question: What is one question you would add to this athlete reflection exercise?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.