If you have ever competed in a sport, performed in front of people, spoken to a large crowd, or taken part in something really important to you, then you know about that feeling in the pit of your stomach. You know about nerves and those often dreaded butterflies.
My dad is a National Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach and I have wrestled since I could walk. Overall, I've probably competed in close to 1000 matches when combining Folkstyle wrestling, Freestyle wrestling, and Greco-Roman wrestling. I have also competed in Jiu-Jitsu matches as well.
Guess What? I was nervous every single time I competed in these matches. You'd think I'd get used to it right? Wrong.
I have been a wrestling coach for 13 years now. 1 year at the college level and 12 years at the high school level. Along with this I have been a middle school football coach for 13 years. Oh, I also corner many Professional MMA fighters (basically the coach in the corner) and a lot of these fights have been on major shows.
As a coach, I still get nervous and the butterflies start forming a speedway in my stomach when my guys compete. To be honest, it's often worse than when I was competing myself. Actually, it's the reason I decided to write this particular blog post.
What I'm getting at here is the fact that I have competed a lot and been around tons of competition and I still get nervous. Since this is fact, how do I deal with the nerves in competition and how does this apply to everyday real life?
My philosophy on this has been developed over the years and continues to evolve. Many influences have helped to shape and form this philosophy into what it is today. So, let me tell you a couple stories that really stand out in my mind that have helped form my philosophy.
I was a Senior in high school and warming up for the finals of our home wrestling tournament, The Carmen Classic. While warming-up, wrestling legend and Olympic Champion Doug Blubaugh comes over and places his hands on my shoulders and starts talking to me. Here is how our conversation went down...
Doug: "You Nervous?"
Me: "Yes Sir"
Doug: "Good."
TIMEOUT!
Here is what is now going through my mind: "Wait what? Good, what does he mean good? Don't nerves show weakness? Nerves mean I'm scared right?"
Okay, back to the conversation...
Doug: "Nerves mean you care about the sport son. The day you lose those butterflies, it's time to get out. You are nervous because it means something to you and that's good. Let that fuel you."
TIMEOUT!
MIND BLOWN!
Okay, back to it.
This conversation changed my perspective on feeling nervous. I went from having a negative perspective on nerves to realizing that they aren't bad. Nerves mean I care and caring is a good thing in my book.
(Side note: I tech falled my guy in the finals. I mean come on, Doug Blubaugh warmed me up and was sitting next to my Dad in the corner coaching me. That poor kid had no chance against me in that match.)
Here is the next story that helped shape my philosophy about nerves.
It's 1998, I'm in the semi-finals of a college wrestling tourney and my coach (Hall of Famer Jody Thompson aka Coach T)walks up and hands me a couple jelly beans. "They'll give you some energy, eat 'em." Haha, Coach T always did things like that in serious moments. Then Coach T makes this statement "You know, nerves are a good thing. They are your body's way of preparing for Battle. They make you faster, stronger, and maybe even a little smarter. Nerves are your Warrior instinct kicking into gear.You are a Warrior!"
Wow! What a way to look at nerves! Now those butterflies aren't here to make me feel scared and sick, they are here to make me faster, stronger, and smarter. I'll take it!
The last story is short and these words come from God Himself!
While reading through the Bible one day, I ran across this Scripture:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
These words spoke to me and I memorized them that day. I have often called upon these words when feeling nervous and they always calm my spirit. I recited this scripture before many wrestling matches and I recite it today when I feel overwhelmed or nervous about anything.
So, how do these stories and sage advice apply to real life? Good question!
First, let me point out that perspective goes a long way. A change in perspective can turn the seeming bad into good. This can change your life in so many ways, really.
Second, many of the issues we deal with in sports also apply to life. Let me quote Coach T to make this point. These are a few of the words he sent me in an email as we were talking just last week.
"Having a deep philosophy on dealing with nerves is important. This philosophy is one that will see you through wrestling, coaching, and life.....cause it's all the same. Everyday life can wear you down....just think of the
myriad of things your environment plunks down on you.
Often we humans just need a little bump up to keep us from drowning in the complications we face."
You see, life is full of moments and situations that can bring on those butterflies. These situations can be good or bad, but either way... they exist. Since this is a fact, then it's a good idea to have the correct perspective in order to deal with them in the proper manner.
In summation, here is what I believe about nerves and butterflies: They are a good thing and mean that you care. This feeling is your body preparing itself to make you faster, stronger, and smarter when the need is there. Pray when you feel this way and God will give you peace and a calm spirit in the storm!
I hope that someone reads this Blog and these stories, ideas, and philosophy help you as they have helped me! God Bless!
TCOB,
Coach P
I never thought about being nervous as a positive. I will try this in my next big race! Would like to hear your thoughts about self doubt...negative thinking and how to reverse that. Confidence and self esteem and how to improve on those.
ReplyDeleteThank You for your comments Steve. Let me know how this mindset shift works for you next race.
ReplyDeleteI will write a blog post about the topics that you would like information on.Those all relate to athletic performance and apply to so many areas of life as well.