Tag Archive: success

Preparing to Succeed

October 1, 2021 10:00 am Published by

Success can be one of the greatest magic tricks in the book. Sometimes nobody ever sees it coming or where it’s coming from, but it keeps on happening. When you see someone succeed their joy and happiness are contagious. What you don’t see in someone’s moment of success is everything that happens behind the scenes.

All successful people in this world have one thing in common: they prepare to succeed. There are multiple ways to help you prepare to succeed. Here are a few tips to help you to prepare to succeed:

  • Visualize
    • With a clear vision insight, you can stay focused on what you need to take care of while you prepare
  • Positive Self Talk
    • If you truly believe it, you will naturally do everything in your power to succeed. Remember, success is a mindset!
  • Stay focused
    • Keeping your eyes on the prize will lock you into what you are preparing for. Ask yourself the question, “how will this prepare me to succeed?” Let that be your guide.

Now, let’s go out there and prepare to succeed!

The Power of Perspective

December 12, 2019 6:11 pm Published by

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! 

Reflecting on the Journey

May 10, 2019 10:18 pm Published by

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!

The “Positive” Power of Frustration

November 13, 2018 4:49 pm Published by

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!!!

Finding the Right Size

November 1, 2018 5:42 pm Published by

Is your athlete growing like a weed! Rest assured you’re not alone! With some prime holiday shopping opportunities right around the corner, here’s some simple, helpful reminders when sizing up replacement equipment.

  • Sticks
    • Once you’ve determined your preferred brand/pattern. Prioritize a stick’s flex. When your athlete leans on it, make sure it bends. When cutting it down to size think “chin to nose” in skates as a rough measuring stick! I always think top lip is a good guide.
  • Skates
    • As painful as this big expense can be… Skates are the most important part of the equation. You don’t need to buy top of the line… BUT, whatever skates you do select for your all-star they need to fit appropriately otherwise agility and stride quality are greatly compromised. Your athlete should be able to wiggle their toes in their skate, and very gently feel the inside tip of the toe cap with their big toe. Remove the insole and have them stand up in their socks. You should see about a half inch of space at the end of the insole.
  • Protective Gear
    • Pantsshould be right about knee cap to the top of the knee.
    • Shoulder padsshould be form fitting, but avoid going too large as this will greatly hinder stick control and limit upper body movement.
    • Elbow pads should fully cover the elbow and go to mid upper arm and mid forearm. Often times you’ll find better luck looking for an elbow pad that’s a 2-part construction along the under arm, versus a 3-part construction with a moving cap just on the elbow.
    • Shin padsBe sure there’s no major space from the bottom of the shin guard to the top cuff of the skate. 

Best of luck in the equipment search! Remember, especially for the younger athletes out there, saving a few dollars here and there with recycling gently used gear is always a great play!

How to be your athlete’s #1 Fan!

October 18, 2018 2:58 pm Published by

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!!!

Off-Season Goals

June 1, 2018 1:55 pm Published by

Your approach to the off-season is everything for your athlete’s development. Long-term strides of improvement and achieving your goals are ultimately made during the off-season! Here are a few key points of emphasis to work through as you move into your off-season:

  • Develop your game plan
    • Devise a plan of attack in exactly how you’re going to help your athlete make the necessary gains during the off time. Raw skill development & improvement, off-ice performance training, NUTRITION habits, balancing other commitments. Many of these topics should be discussed, and a plan needs to be established.
  • Set your goals
    • What specifically are you going to improve? How are you going to accomplish it? Small more easily attainable goals lead to larger more lofty accomplishments!
  • Commit to the “process
    • Once you’ve built your game plan and set your goals, commit to whatever it takes to achieving your goals! If it was easy, everyone would be playing in the NHL. Stay Determined. Stay Hungry. Stay Humble. Never lose sight of the fun!

 

 We can’t wait to support you in a rewarding off-season of work and accomplishments!!!

Living in the moment!

May 14, 2018 3:22 pm Published by

Overlooking the present is something we’re all guilty of from time to time. Of course, we need to be cognizant of future opportunities. Take our word for it; years from now when you reflect on the journey, game records, tryout pressures, and so many other minor stressors won’t even be remembered. You’ll be left with the memories from the amazing experiences, life lessons, and relationships the great game of hockey affords us all! Focus on maximizing those TODAY!

 

The more present we are today, the more attainable the goals of tomorrow will become! Seize the day, enjoy the moment!

Prerequisites for Success

April 30, 2018 3:38 pm Published by

If you’re working for greatness (which we know you are), challenges are inevitable. Embrace the hard lessons and grow from them, rather than letting them discourage you!

  • Failures & Setbacks A.K.A. “Adversity”
    • Every failed goal is a lesson learned! Understand what you did wrong and grow stronger from each mistake. When living in the moment adversity can be brutal. However, adversity builds character, and having strong character is one incredible trait!
  • Sacrifice
    • Sacrifice can come in countless forms. However, bottom line, you’ve got to put in the work, make the commitment, and be tunnel focused on your goals!
  • Passion
    • You’ve got to love what you do! Having an obsession to work, grow, and improve is a key trait of success!

We’re excited to watch everyone work towards greatness this off-season!

Instilling Confidence

April 15, 2018 8:43 pm Published by

So often we overlook the true value and impact of confidence. Unlike other tangible skills; you can’t see it, touch it, measure it… However, as an athlete you sure can feel and experience it! It’s unbelievable what confidence can do for your game! Confidence ultimately comes from within, although there’s are a few guidelines that can help boost that confidence and take your game to the next level!

  • Put in the work!!!
    • If you’ve put in the work, then know you’re prepared! Now just trust your training!
  • “One shift at a time” mentality
    • Nothing is ever done overnight. Your growth and improvements are 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 mindset. Never the less, you’ve got to be tough! Filter the negative and stay YOUR course!

 Be confident and enjoy the process along the way!