Share with athletes in your gym.
As a coach, I’ve given this a lot of thought, because no matter what someone coming into the gym says they want to work on, eventually the subject of habits comes up. I’ve always said gymnastics is a dynamic sport. You are either getting better or getting worse. There is no such thing as staying where you are at.
In the gym I try to build new habits. Usually, we will work to get a particular healthy habit established or eliminate an unhealthy one.
But since I am rarely flat-out asked “What are the best habits to have?” I’m happy to take some time to answer the question here.
Basic Daily Habits to establish:
1 Maintain your body and mind through good nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
2 Challenge yourself to learn something new EVERYDAY. It may only be a new approach at a skill you’ve struggled with.
3 Improve your surroundings in some way. Clean out your locker or grip bag. Decreasing the clutter in your life will make you more efficient in your practice.
4 Tend to your important relationships in some form. For most of you- someone drives you to practice everyday. Have you thanked them? You may have a sibling who waits in the lobby with your parents for countless hours. Be nice to them.
5 Handle something from the earth (flowers, gardening, yard work, chopping vegetables).
6 Look for the good in others. Compliment a teammate or coach. Be thankful (practice gratitude).
7 Connect to Beauty (read, write, listen to music, create or enjoy works of art).
8 DISCONNECT. Just sit, be still for a moment.(completely unfocused, non productive time).
Putting these habits into daily practice involves having or acquiring some skills that are essential to success. To do these things on a daily basis, you have to be able to:
1 Set clear, achievable goals related to these habits.
2 Pick 3 things you want to accomplish each day that move you closer toward your goals. (Preferably one thing related to your school, one to your personal life, and one related to gymnastics)
3 Educate yourself on any of the areas you need to know more about to be successful (for example, nutrition, sleep hygiene, meditation, nurturing relationships, automating habits).
4 Become disciplined and accountable to yourself.
5 Understand how to work with time, energy, and motivation.
If you need help with establishing any of these habits or acquiring any of the skills you need to keep these habits going consistently, talk to your coach. I recommend you seek help from someone who not only knows how to do what you don’t, but can teach you how to do it in a way you can understand.
That about covers it.
Oh. One last thing: Never, ever hit the SNOOZE button.
