Disneefun
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2003
- Messages
- 2,187
I'd like to share a theory with you, in the hopes it might help someone.
Years ago, when I was a competitive figure skater, I had a coach who taught me to "spin a cocoon of positivity" prior to a big competition. His theory was that if you surround yourself with positivity in the weeks/months leading up to an event, you have a better chance of success. He would say that you spin your cocoon and then, like a butterfly, emerge from it on competition day ready to fly. Yeah, he could be a little corny, but he was a great coach and I really liked him.
He always stressed that it wouldn't make up for a total lack of preparation, but it could get you through a bad day or if your training was compromised by injury or illness. Turns out, he was mostly right. When I've followed his advice, I've done better and been able to overcome some injuries/illnesses that might have otherwise ended my chances. He's right in that if you haven't trained at all, all the positivity in the world won't help, but I believe that he was right that positivity could take you further than you otherwise might go.
So how does one "spin a cocoon of positivity?" You eliminate all the negativity that you can from your life. We used to start this about a month before big competitions. Admittedly, it was easier when I was a teen b/c all I had to worry about was school, but I've managed to adapt it as I've gotten older. Some ideas:
* I only watch positive/uplifting movies and TV. This means I go uninformed for a month b/c I'm not watching the news (aka The Nightly Murder Report). Most news is negative. I don't watch TV much at all during this time, actually, b/c most advertising is geared to making me feel bad or believing that I have some dread disease I didn't know about. Instead I take a steady diet of sports/dance themed movies (you know, where the athlete hits the skids and then rises out of the ashes to deliver the game of his/her life), family fare, comedy, and Disney movies. If it's heavy and depressing, it's not on the list.
* Same with music and books. I'm only listening to or reading positive stuff. If it's heavy, full or ugly words or messages, depressing, or sad, it's not in the ipod or on the shelf. Lots of motivational and spiritual books.
* If it whines or complains, I try not to be around it. This means that I spend a month not talking to my BIL or SIL b/c all they do is whine and complain. When people start to complain or be negative around me, I try to tactfully disengage and find something else to do. Otherwise I tune them out.
* As it's Christmas, that's positive and fun, but I try not to ruin it by going to the mall this late in the game. My experience is that "peace love and joy" is not to be found in the stores at this point. Rather I focus on family and church.
* I spend time writing in a "gratitude journal" writing of the things I'm thankful for and enjoy. Even if I bomb out in the competition, I know I have so much else to be thankful for that it puts it in perspective.
* When I'm training, I don't think negative thoughts. If something's not going right, I try to be rational about it, improve it if possible and otherwise let it go. There's not much this late in the game that can be changed, so I just have to trust that on the big day it will come together. Dwelling on it and obsessing about it doesn't help.
* I spend some time in prayer and thinking positive thoughts each day. Sometimes while I'm walking or doing yoga, or sometimes just when I'm sitting quietly.
* If it doesn't have to be dealt with right now, I let it go. This is not the time to be taking on frustrating projects like painting the house, shopping for a new car, rearranging the furniture, paving the driveway, having contractors all over the place doing a kitchen remodel, etc. All that stuff will still be there after the event. It can be done then.
* I read the WISH forum for inspiration. But I try to stay off certain DIS boards where negative and hurtful comments are more prevalent.
* Eat well, drink well, and sleep well. Good health contributes to a positive outlook.
Go spin your cocoons and be positive!!! Use that positive energy you accumulate this month to push you on the big day! Good luck all!!!
Years ago, when I was a competitive figure skater, I had a coach who taught me to "spin a cocoon of positivity" prior to a big competition. His theory was that if you surround yourself with positivity in the weeks/months leading up to an event, you have a better chance of success. He would say that you spin your cocoon and then, like a butterfly, emerge from it on competition day ready to fly. Yeah, he could be a little corny, but he was a great coach and I really liked him.
He always stressed that it wouldn't make up for a total lack of preparation, but it could get you through a bad day or if your training was compromised by injury or illness. Turns out, he was mostly right. When I've followed his advice, I've done better and been able to overcome some injuries/illnesses that might have otherwise ended my chances. He's right in that if you haven't trained at all, all the positivity in the world won't help, but I believe that he was right that positivity could take you further than you otherwise might go.
So how does one "spin a cocoon of positivity?" You eliminate all the negativity that you can from your life. We used to start this about a month before big competitions. Admittedly, it was easier when I was a teen b/c all I had to worry about was school, but I've managed to adapt it as I've gotten older. Some ideas:
* I only watch positive/uplifting movies and TV. This means I go uninformed for a month b/c I'm not watching the news (aka The Nightly Murder Report). Most news is negative. I don't watch TV much at all during this time, actually, b/c most advertising is geared to making me feel bad or believing that I have some dread disease I didn't know about. Instead I take a steady diet of sports/dance themed movies (you know, where the athlete hits the skids and then rises out of the ashes to deliver the game of his/her life), family fare, comedy, and Disney movies. If it's heavy and depressing, it's not on the list.
* Same with music and books. I'm only listening to or reading positive stuff. If it's heavy, full or ugly words or messages, depressing, or sad, it's not in the ipod or on the shelf. Lots of motivational and spiritual books.
* If it whines or complains, I try not to be around it. This means that I spend a month not talking to my BIL or SIL b/c all they do is whine and complain. When people start to complain or be negative around me, I try to tactfully disengage and find something else to do. Otherwise I tune them out.
* As it's Christmas, that's positive and fun, but I try not to ruin it by going to the mall this late in the game. My experience is that "peace love and joy" is not to be found in the stores at this point. Rather I focus on family and church.
* I spend time writing in a "gratitude journal" writing of the things I'm thankful for and enjoy. Even if I bomb out in the competition, I know I have so much else to be thankful for that it puts it in perspective.
* When I'm training, I don't think negative thoughts. If something's not going right, I try to be rational about it, improve it if possible and otherwise let it go. There's not much this late in the game that can be changed, so I just have to trust that on the big day it will come together. Dwelling on it and obsessing about it doesn't help.
* I spend some time in prayer and thinking positive thoughts each day. Sometimes while I'm walking or doing yoga, or sometimes just when I'm sitting quietly.
* If it doesn't have to be dealt with right now, I let it go. This is not the time to be taking on frustrating projects like painting the house, shopping for a new car, rearranging the furniture, paving the driveway, having contractors all over the place doing a kitchen remodel, etc. All that stuff will still be there after the event. It can be done then.
* I read the WISH forum for inspiration. But I try to stay off certain DIS boards where negative and hurtful comments are more prevalent.
* Eat well, drink well, and sleep well. Good health contributes to a positive outlook.
Go spin your cocoons and be positive!!! Use that positive energy you accumulate this month to push you on the big day! Good luck all!!!
