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In the 3rd workshop with Matt Scholes, we dive into the challenges of of keeping athletes focused on the bigger long term picture to achieve success. There were SIX good points raised and amongst those mentioned, enjoyment and progress stood out the most.

There is great pleasure in working hard to achieve something and then perfecting it. As coaches, we can create a positive environment where training can be a time for athletes to refresh themselves and have time out from the pressures of daily life. While training should go hard and be challenging, it should also encompass the joy of learning, the feeling of progress and enjoyment of the feeling of perfection. Athletes' brains are hardwired for their strengths and it is shown through research by coaching to their strengths, there are reported feelings of creativity, passion and the desire to succeed. This enables the athletes improve more quickly and they also enjoy the process more. 

Another standout point was around progress. While yes progress may mean to level up, it is not always a race to keep on going onto the next step as quickly as possible. It is just as important to let the athletes sit in the moment, in the now, on doing a skill well and enjoying the skill that they have learnt. Training should focus on each little success athletes have and each success should be celebrated and savoured. Some skills may take a period of time to develop and it is crucial to make athletes feel like they are making progress all the time. These can come from the feedback coaches give - the way that feedback is given - which becomes important to push for progress and enjoyment which leads to athlete retention. 

This workshop has been recorded and as a SG-registered member, you can access the full recording complimentary. Simply click on the button below, sign in with your SG member account details and enjoy the recording on us.