tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post5768796628633149753..comments2024-03-05T00:29:22.755-08:00Comments on Christen Press: Mind MattersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06633982287638051335noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post-67813002083743210872013-10-29T16:36:17.867-07:002013-10-29T16:36:17.867-07:00It's funny--and somewhat ironic--how you find ...It's funny--and somewhat ironic--how you find and hear a message that you've been needing when not searching for it. <br /><br />Last fall, I had finished my collegiate soccer career. Many athletes would agree that sports taught them valuable life lessons and it greatly contributed to success outside the pitch, court, etc., and translated it to daily life. <br />For me, I constantly used soccer as a medium to focus my thoughts, along with bettering myself for the sake of my teammates. I didn't realize, until recently, that I relied so heavily on that the indirect pressure to get my s*** together...to put it bluntly. My image of a captain was one who led by example and would motivate teammates by their individual needs. With that being said, I felt it necessary to match that image, therefore I was motivated to go 110% every practice and game, along with maintaining high grades in the midst of the chaos of soccer season, so that I may inspire my girls to do the same. <br />A year later, I "lost" my medium to focus and stay mentally strong. Since then, I have incessantly tried to pound positive thoughts in my mind with the hope that it would recreate what was lost.<br />Had I not stumbled onto this blog, I probably would have continued down the same futile path for an unknown length of time. <br /><br />Thank you, Christen, for a moment of clarity in the midst of the haze that has blinded me. Words are powerful indeed.<br /><br /><br />--Amanda MoonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post-8010874401017996232013-09-28T21:44:52.595-07:002013-09-28T21:44:52.595-07:00What? No blog this month? I look forward to your b...What? No blog this month? I look forward to your blogs. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13977895666410228197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post-65270931989838097152013-08-12T14:52:30.301-07:002013-08-12T14:52:30.301-07:00I did not expect this in your first blog back Chri...I did not expect this in your first blog back Christen. <br /><br />Acceptance is the answer, and I loved how you ended: "My power as an athlete will grow from maximizing my refocusing speed, the same way as my power as a person. Negative thought in my meditation? Deep breath, get back to my mantra. Negative thought in my game? Deep breath, get back in the game!" <---it can be copy/pasted in every aspect of self-doubt and aspiration for success. <br /><br />Welcome back!Coxymoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236244070272682589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post-16374660292637351052013-08-12T10:36:00.582-07:002013-08-12T10:36:00.582-07:00Thank you for this post. I am a psychologist and f...Thank you for this post. I am a psychologist and frequently work with athletes. I am trained to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness meditation. I often try to teach the athletes (and clients) I work with about Acceptance and being present moment focus - and how to tolerate and not get caught up in the constant stream of thoughts and emotions that are flying by at any moment. <br /><br />What you wrote about is exactly on point with this and it is refreshing to read - as I often get tired of hearing about the power of positive thinking (as it doesn't always work!). I hope that this mindset has demonstrated it's power and has improved your performance on (and off) the pitch. By the looks of it - it seems that it has. <br /><br />Best of luck in Sweden and with the national team!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01204561425584655041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080695675561448571.post-46868089578647310102013-08-11T15:46:23.010-07:002013-08-11T15:46:23.010-07:00Hi Christen,
Big fan stumbled onto your page throu...Hi Christen,<br />Big fan stumbled onto your page through twitter when I should be studying but I find it extremely interesting and this post especially gave me a lot of food for thought especially when talking about performance vs outcome goals. thank you for that I look forward to reading more soon!<br />P.S. your doing great with both club and country keep up the good and hard work!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18276551219716142000noreply@blogger.com