Agility Trial Success Tip #5: Become your own coach when none other is available to you.
Head to the trial with your coaches advice and your own planning to create a consistent event routine at the event. These lists include hints, pre and post run preparation reminders and positive messages to yourself. We tend to finish a run and think of all that went wrong make this small change for next time. Once a run is over first remind yourself of what went well, jot that down before considering what you would like to improve upon for the next run.
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” ~ Arthur Ashe
Today I am grateful for all the coaches I have had in my life, and for being able to coach you so you can achieve your goals and believe in your dreams.
Visit all the tips: Tip 1, Tip 2, Tip 3, Tip 4, Tip 5, Tip 6, Tip 7, Tip 8, Tip 9, Tip 10
Very important to put it all in perspective – to remember that this is suppose to be fun! Believe me, I have to remind myself of this all the time. Especially, in light of the fact that, if I am not enjoying this sport than the likely-hood of my dog finding the joy will be difficult. I always like to run the event through my mind several times before the event actually takes place. To give me a positive mind-set. Sometimes, I like to think of some of our more laughable moments, so that I can lighten up.
I use to beat myself up on what I did wrong on a run. One day, a close friend sat me down and went through everything I did right. Then, we looked at the things that went wrong and 90% were handling errors on my part. I totally agree on finding the time to make notes on your runs and notes of what to work in training. My one coach comments that “The day I don’t have fun playing agility with my dogs is the day I retire.”
If you can’t slow down enough to write down what went well before you forget, grab your cell and say it out loud! You can focus the lens on the dog or you or both. And of course we all know that the best help is to have friends record the runs.