Fri, February 12, 2010 - 2:06:28

How Do You Skate Your Best Performance? Stay in Your Program.

It’s been four years since we watched athletes like Apollo Anton Ono, Shaun White, and Sasha Cohen bask in Olympic glory at the Torino games in 2006 and since then we’ve been patiently waiting for the competition to begin once more.  With the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics scheduled to air Friday night, you can imagine our excitement.

Although most of the attention at the Winter Olympics revolves around which athletes will go home with gold medals, for most of the two-thousand-plus competitors showing up to Vancouver this season, the experience will be more about the process and less about the end result.  But, even though most of the contenders won’t find themselves on the podium, each of them undoubtedly wants to do their personal best.

And it got us thinking about a technique Robin, an avid figure skater, uses both on and off the ice: staying in your program.

In and out of the rink, there are times when inevitably each of us will fall down, but the key to success when you’re “going for the gold” is to gracefully get back on your feet, stay in the moment, and just keep moving, instead of allowing yourself to dwell upon your missteps.  By actively being conscious of where your mind and body are at every second of your routine and maintaining intense focus, you can make it to the end looking and feeling like a winner.

But, of course, learning to “stay in your program” doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice and preparation, giving you the confidence and wherewithal to address your challenges when the big moment arrives.  From preparing for an important presentation at work to getting ready to perform the routine of your life, taking the time to run through it ahead of time and focus in on the small details until you get it letter perfect, will put you in the right place mentally to “stay in your program” when all eyes are on you.

So, get out there and “skate your best performance!”  Even if you don’t bring home the gold, by staying in the moment, you’ll end up on your feet.

Posted by Linda and Robin