Tag Archive: positive mindset
January 13, 2022 3:57 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
As the second half of the season heats up. The uptick in the stress and anxiety is likely to follow. Here’s some helpful tips to help combat these challenges and create a different mental approach to tackling them head on!
Awareness
Become aware of the thoughts that are present in your mind. Identify the good-bad, positive-negative, happy-sad.
Intentional Breathing
2 Minute Drill // Hyper focused on your breathing. Mouth closed and following the breath in through your nose, deep into the belly and out through the nose. Repeat this steadily for 2 straight minutes. Extra credit, mix in some visualization of your goals you’re working to accomplish.
Dictate your positive mindset
Begin choosing positive thoughts that will soon change the way you feel about yourself and the upcoming game and adversities ahead.
Commit to these simple steps and you will go from feeling bogged down with stress and anxiety, to feeling more relaxed and clearer minded as you work to become the best version of yourself!
For more information on this and many other powerful mental tools to help give you the mental edge, please connect with coach Jacob via email, jacob@ohiohockeyproject.com or cell phone, 951-491-4666
February 20, 2020 7:08 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
It’s easy to overlook the value and impact that a player’s confidence has on their performance. Unlike other tangible skills – you can’t see it, touch it, measure it… The positive (or negative) affects your confidence can have on your game is undeniable! Confidence ultimately comes from within, although there’s are a few guidelines that can help boost that confidence and help take your game to the next level!
Put in the work!!!
If you’ve put in the work, then know you’re prepared! Hard work + preparation are key in your foundation for success!
“One shift at a time” Mentality
Nothing is ever done overnight. Your growth is all a part of your process. Take one shift at a time, one period, one game, one weekend. Never too high, never too low.
Be Resilient
Criticism can be positive if you choose to accept it from that perspective. Never the less, you’ve got to be tough! Filter the negative and stay in YOUR lane!
Have a great finish to the season, and best of luck heading into the spring! We can’t wait to see everyone soon!
December 12, 2019 6:11 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
So often we let our tunneled focus on goals, achievements, and expectations cloud our perspective of what truly matters. Without a doubt, having goals and an action plan to achieve those goals is critical to long term success. However, never at the cost of losing your perspective.
I vividly remember having chapters in my career where I would be so obsessed on the goals and expectations I set for myself that I would forget why I even played the game. I would take my health (mentally and physically) for granted, I would underestimate accomplishments, I would look at “issues” in my hockey world and over dramatize them, and worst of all I lost sight of my reasons why I loved the game so much. Remember, your hockey issues are not the end of the world – your lows are never as low as you think they are!
The first step out of every low point I ever experienced was digging deep and finding my gratitude for so many wonderful things in my life and career. I would mindfully re align my focus to all of the aspects of the game that I cherished so much. Like clockwork, the anxiety and stressors that ate at me would disappear and I would be back on my way chasing my dream.
Keep your goals in sight, but never lose your perspective, gratitude, and passion for the game!
October 1, 2019 3:43 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
As physical as the game of hockey is, so much more is mental than you’ll ever believe! Resilient, mentally tough athletes (and people) always find a way to succeed! I believe there are 3 different scenarios that will test your mental toughness as a hockey player:
- Managing uncontrollabes.
- Your favorite stick broke, the ice sucks, the ref made a bad call, the coach changed the lines… Acknowledge them, see them as challenges and realign your efforts.
- Self-inflicted mistakes – Have a short memory!
- Being properly prepared to perform will eliminate a lot of mistakes right out of the gate. With the self-inflicted mistakes of poor play, develop an in-game routine of controlled breathing and visualization to calm down while re-focusing to get your mind back in the game.
- Safely playing through pain + discomfort.
- This is not regarding serious injuries. More so, when you feel that burn in your legs, or your trying to catch your breath, or knowing that blister is killing you – Dig deep and find a way to persevere!
Be the best warrior version of yourself you can be this season!
May 10, 2019 10:18 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
After nearly 30 years of being involved in the sport in every capacity I’m a firm believer that reflecting in a few key areas has brought some of the greatest rewards!
Living in the moment
Ride the highs and never let the lows bring you down! Celebrate the positive, filter the negative, and grow from the mistakes. Treat every opportunity like its game 7!
Embracing the process
The “process” is an ever-evolving journey of your development as an athlete setting out to accomplish goals. Your journey is always changing as goals, passions, and expectations should shift. If you ever think you’ve arrived, you’re in the wrong place.
Perspective & Gratitude
Your perspective is what truly makes everything so fulfilling. Be honest with yourself and fully understand where you’ve come, and where you want to go! Gratitude is a special experience never lose sight of how fortunate we are for our abilities, resources, and accomplishments.
We can’t wait for huge off-season of growth and gains!
April 11, 2019 12:34 am
Published by Russ Sinkewich
Often times you’ll hear the word “grit” get thrown around. It can vary in meaning based on the circumstances. But, what does it really mean? I like to think of it as:
GRIT
Made up of hustle, passion, and perseverance.
Grit encompasses a player’s ability to “find a way”. Grit can be physical, just as much as it can be mental. Some will say grit is a character trait ~ you either have it or you don’t… Sure, that can be true for some. However, I would also argue that grit is a skill, and like all skills, it can be learned, and improved upon over time. Regardless of how you choose to view someone’s grit, it’s essential. Not only in hockey, but in life!
Always be on the hustle. Never lose the passion. Persevere no matter what!
March 25, 2019 1:49 am
Published by Russ Sinkewich
There’s no better time than the present to sit down and write down your off-season goals. As we move into the spring, what a perfect time to constructively criticize your game and create plan of attack on how you’re going to improve and take your game to the next level! Visualize your goals into existence. Start with a few simple, short terms goals that will build your confidence and generate some momentum. Then target your larger, long-term objectives which are months on the horizon!
Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish!
January 31, 2019 3:49 am
Published by Russ Sinkewich
One of the greatest tip’s I wish I could go back and tell my younger self: Enjoy the ride! Hard to believe we’re rounding out the final month of the season. Rest assured the upcoming tryouts, (all that go into those; good and bad) and future opportunities are on their way… But, before you punch the gas to the finish line, take a moment to let the gratitude of this year’s experiences soak in! All the hard work your athlete and their teammates have put in! Some of the great families you’ve shared memories with this year! The highs, the lows and everything in between…
Speaking from the heart on my experience, the ride was 10x greater than any destination I ever arrived at! Here’s to a great final month of the season! Make it count!!!
November 13, 2018 4:49 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
Feeling frustrated is inevitable. Throughout your hockey journey the root itself may change from season to season, however, dealing with frustrations and setbacks is one of the unique, challenging keys to team success. As hard as this concept is to fully appreciate, remember frustration means you care – which is a great thing!
With frustration always comes action! Embrace the frustration, then from that motivated state of mind, think of one immediate step you can take in a positive direction. Working harder, communicating clearer, acting more selfless, etc. We all make the choice to either let challenging times bring us down – OR – reveal what our true character holds!
We can’t wait to watch you take your challenging times and make them in to positive turning points for your future!!!
October 18, 2018 2:58 pm
Published by Russ Sinkewich
Fall is in the air – leaves are changing, the days are cooler, the mornings are darker. All of which means one thing… Hockey season is HERE! As we embark on the 2018-19 season here’s some great tips on being your athlete’s #1 Fan!
- Positive Support
- Your athlete NEEDS constructive, positive support and suggestions. NOT, negative criticisms. Remember they already have a coach in the rink. They don’t always need another one in the car or at home…
- Find the Home & Hockey Balance
- It can be positive to talk hockey to and from the rink in moderation. However, be sure to find the balance! There is such a thing as hockey overdose! Setting up non-hockey extracurricular activities and experiences is always a good thing!
- Manage the Tough Love
- Demand that your athlete works hard, competes, is coachable, etc. However, once you’ve checked those boxes, be sure to check the next boxes of; Is my athlete making mistakes? Is he/she learning from those mistakes? Are we enjoying what we’re doing?
Here’s to an exciting, rewarding 2018-19 season!!!