What gives Elite Athletes the Edge? | Janne Mortensen | TEDxOdense

Summary

This video script delves into the mindset required for young athletes to succeed. The speaker, an elite coach, emphasizes the importance of focusing on values over results to develop resilience and mental strength. Through stories of athletes like Mikkel and Caroline, the script illustrates how identifying personal values helps athletes navigate pressure and make conscious decisions. The coach also highlights the detrimental impact of results-driven parenting and encourages parents to support their children in becoming someone before they become something, ensuring that they make decisions aligned with their true selves.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on values over results: Success is not just about achieving external goals, but about developing personal values and character.
• 😀 Parents' impact on mindset: Parents often unintentionally push young athletes to focus too much on results, which can harm mental health.
• 😀 The importance of self-awareness: Athletes must understand who they are and who they want to be in order to make better decisions under pressure.
• 😀 The role of mental training: Helping athletes identify and align their values with their actions is essential for long-term success.
• 😀 Pressure and expectations can be harmful: Focusing solely on winning or results can create unnecessary stress and hinder progress.
• 😀 Trusting yourself: Athletes must learn to trust their own judgment, even when external feedback is available.
• 😀 Consistent values lead to better performance: When athletes act according to their values, they make better decisions, especially during high-pressure situations.
• 😀 Focus on the process, not just the outcome: Athletes should concentrate on their journey, growth, and development rather than just aiming for results.
• 😀 Encouragement of effort: It's important to celebrate not only success but also the effort and resilience shown during failure.
• 😀 A holistic approach to coaching: Coaches should guide athletes in becoming well-rounded individuals, not just skilled competitors, by focusing on personal development and values.

Q & A

Why do parents often focus on the results instead of the process in their children's athletic journey?

Parents often focus on the results because they want to see tangible achievements such as wins, medals, or recognition. However, this creates pressure on the child and shifts the focus away from personal growth, learning, and the process of development, which are more crucial for long-term success and well-being.

What is the impact of a result-oriented mindset on young athletes?

A result-oriented mindset can be detrimental to young athletes because it creates immense pressure, leading to stress, anxiety, and even depression. When the focus is on outcomes instead of growth and effort, athletes may struggle with their mental health and may be less motivated to continue pursuing their sport.

What does the speaker suggest should be the focus for young athletes instead of results?

The speaker suggests that young athletes should focus on developing their values and understanding who they want to be as people and athletes. This shift towards personal growth and intrinsic motivation allows athletes to make conscious decisions based on their values, which can help them navigate pressure and setbacks.

What are the three steps the speaker uses to help athletes align with their values?

The three steps the speaker uses are: 1) Identifying the basic values an athlete wants to live by, 2) Understanding how these values look in action, and 3) Consistently living and acting by these values, especially when facing challenges.

Why is it important for young athletes to understand their values before aiming for external achievements?

Understanding one's values is important because it provides a clear guiding principle for decision-making, particularly under pressure. When athletes know who they are and what they stand for, they can better navigate challenges and focus on meaningful progress rather than just winning or achieving external recognition.

What lesson did the speaker learn from cheering only when his daughter did things correctly?

The speaker realized that by only cheering for success, he was reinforcing a fixed mindset. He understood that it’s just as important to encourage effort, even in failure, because it fosters resilience and the willingness to keep trying, which is essential for personal growth.

How did the speaker help Michael, a badminton player, overcome his struggles under pressure?

The speaker worked with Michael to uncover his values, particularly focusing on willpower, determination, and development. By aligning his actions with these values, Michael learned to choose persistence and continue playing even when faced with the desire to quit, shifting his focus from just winning to personal growth.

What is the main problem with parents' approach when they question their child's achievements or results?

The main problem is that parents may unintentionally undermine their child's mental development and performance by emphasizing results over personal growth. This can create a cycle of stress and anxiety, and make the child feel inadequate unless they achieve external success.

What does the speaker mean by 'you have to become someone before you can become something'?

The phrase means that before athletes or individuals can achieve external success or recognition (become something), they must first understand who they are and develop their values and identity (become someone). This personal foundation is key to making conscious and meaningful decisions that guide them through challenges.

How did Caroline, the para-athlete, manage her frustration with her training and improve her performance?

Caroline improved by becoming more self-dependent and taking responsibility for her training. She learned to trust her own feedback before relying on her trainer's advice and started structuring her own training. This helped her reconnect with herself and her horse, ultimately enhancing her performance.