WYC 143 – Performance Anxiety – Kathy Feinstein talks Developing a Growth Mindset

Kathy Feinstein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Sport Performance Consultant (CMPC). Since 1998 her unique practice has empowered adolescents, adults, couples, families and teams to achieve greater satisfaction in sport, health and life. Kathy’s practice focuses on the 3 key areas: counseling, sport performance psychology and education through seminars and workshops. Kathy works with youth, high school, collegiate, adult amateur and professional athletes in such sports as golf, tennis, hockey, volleyball, basketball, figure skating, cheerleading, track and field, swimming and cycling. In addition to sport and exercise psychology consulting, she also offers team and coach consulting.

Website: kafcounselingandsportperformance.com

Podcast: Parenting Peak Performers Podcast

Facebook: /kafcounselingandconsulting/

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Being a crazy sports parent

Kathy got really excited about her daughter riding horses, but she lost sight of doing what's best for her daughter

Performance Anxiety

The first step is to normalize the need - kids need to know that performance anxiety is very normal

The importance of breathing

Anxiety is all about the future. What if...

Breathing is all about the present.

If you can do this 20 minutes per day, it changes your mindset

When you inhale, there will be a cool sensation at the tip of your nostrils. When you exhale, there is a warm sensation at the tip of your nostrils.

When you do this, you will start having some thoughts. Without any judgement, bring your focus back to the breath. Do this over and over again.

Do this for 5 minutes with your team, your coaches, your players, etc.

Recovery routines

Having a discharge routine - if you are upset about something, have a quick discharge routine to flush away the past. Then have a different re-focus routine that gets you back in the moment and focused on the future.

Growth Mindset

Encourage kids to take risks, risk making mistakes. Mistakes are an opportunity to get better.

Confidence inventory

Have kids make a list of all of their accomplishments. Then have them read it before a performance.

Post-competition routine

After routines, write down what you did well, then add 1 or 2 things you want to do better next time

Visualization

You have to train how to visualize: Have the athlete do a simple activity (touch your toes and and jump in the air.) Then have them close their eyes and visualize doing that same activity.

The more vivid the visualization is, the more effective it is. Try to involve as many senses as possible

Visualization exercise:  Imagery Exercise - KAF

The one that got away

Kathy had a presentation that went bad and she got stuck. She learned a new way to prepare for presentations, where she focuses on the audience and their needs.

Best borrowed/stolen idea

The post-performance routine

Well-better-next

Favorite Quotes/books

Quote: 'What is before us and what is behind us are small matters compared to what's within us' - Emerson

Book: The Champions Mind by Jim Afremow

Book: Getting Grit by Caroline Adams Miller

Parting Advice

Ask kids about what mistakes they made today - and be excited about them and celebrate them

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