"The body for an athlete is like an instrument for a musician. It can be tuned."

Contents:

• Don't forget to praise: about motivation and its shades

In our previous conversation, Victoria and I discussed the role of a sports psychologist and their methods of working with clients. This time, we will focus on approaches used in sports psychology, practical techniques, and motivation that help athletes achieve high results. Understanding these aspects is key to optimizing mental well-being and enhancing athletic performance.

Art therapy is a method of psychological assistance that uses creative self-expression to improve emotional well-being and mental health. This approach helps people explore their feelings, overcome internal conflicts, and find new ways to solve problems through artistic creativity. Art therapy incorporates various art forms, such as painting, sculpture, music, and dance, allowing participants to express themselves without words. Professionals with a diploma in art therapy are trained to apply these techniques to clients of all ages and with a variety of psychological problems.

Art therapy is a broad set of methods aimed at interacting with the conscious and unconscious mind through various forms of art and creative activities, such as drawing, using metaphors, and creating maps. By analyzing a client's artwork, a psychologist gains a deeper understanding of their inner state and current experiences. This method is particularly effective when working with children, as it allows them to express their emotions and thoughts without verbalization, which facilitates a better understanding of their psycho-emotional state. Art therapy becomes a powerful tool for developing creativity and improving psychological well-being. Working with children has its own unique advantages and characteristics. Children are an open and receptive audience, making interactions with them particularly valuable. They are able to quickly acquire new knowledge and skills, creating opportunities for effective learning and development. Furthermore, working with children allows them to shape their personality and values ​​from an early age, which can have a positive impact on their future. Teaching in this field requires creativity and patience, but brings satisfaction from the opportunity to contribute to the lives of the younger generation. Thus, working with children becomes not only a professional task but also an important mission aimed at the development of society as a whole. Unlike an adult, a child is not always able to express their thoughts in words. They may be troubled by various issues, but they are still too young to deeply analyze their emotions. Furthermore, they may lack the vocabulary to adequately describe their feelings. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to nonverbal cues that may indicate the child's inner experiences. Understanding these cues will help parents and teachers more effectively support children during difficult moments and create an atmosphere conducive to discovery and self-expression.

Art therapy offers an effective way to understand a child's inner world. Through drawing, the child creates an image and simultaneously describes its plot. This dialogue between the psychologist and the young client allows the specialist to form a hypothesis about the child's current experiences and emotional state. Art therapy helps to reveal hidden feelings and thoughts, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the child's needs and problems.

For many years, you combined two professions: coach and sports psychologist. As a coach, were you also able to find a common language with young athletes?

I have always considered working with children to be my strength. This opinion is confirmed by parents who came to me after classes and said, "What are you doing with our children? We notice how tired they are and how difficult it can be, but they always come to training with joy and even practice at home in their free time." The secret lies in understanding the fundamentals. To achieve success in any field, it is important to know the key points and apply them in practice. This requires not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. Constant self-learning and adaptation to changing conditions play a crucial role. Resilience and perseverance, as well as the ability to work in a team and accept constructive criticism, are essential aspects on the path to achieving goals. Using these principles will help you unlock the secret to success.

If you connect with children and respect their individuality, they will readily complete any task, no matter how large. By treating each child as a unique individual, choosing an individual approach, and taking their mood into account, you will receive gratitude in the form of diligence and interest. This approach not only promotes successful completion of tasks, but also develops a trusting relationship between you and your child.

There are certain rules that coaches should avoid in their practice. Firstly, you should not ignore the individual needs and characteristics of athletes. Each person is unique, and the approach to training should be adapted to a specific athlete. Secondly, avoid overly harsh motivational methods. This can lead to burnout and a loss of interest in training. Coaches should also remember the importance of feedback. Ignoring athletes' opinions and feelings can negatively impact their progress and motivation. Finally, avoid putting excessive pressure on athletes, which can lead to injuries and reduced performance. Adhering to these principles will help create a healthy and productive training environment.

Criticism in sports should be constructive and aimed at improving performance. It is important to discuss an athlete's behavior and technical aspects of training, avoiding personal attacks, especially when dealing with children. Constant negative comments, such as, "You're worthless and will never achieve anything," can undermine self-confidence. Confidence is a key factor in achieving success in sports. A supportive and positive approach to learning helps develop not only skills but also psychological resilience, which contributes to success and personal growth.

Harsh words can have a particularly negative impact on children, as their psyche and self-esteem are forming and developing during this period. Children perceive negative comments and criticism very acutely, which can lead to a decrease in self-confidence and the development of insecurities. Emotional sensitivity in childhood makes them more vulnerable to verbal attacks. Such words can become imprinted in memory, forming negative beliefs about themselves and the world around them. Therefore, it is important to choose words that support and inspire children, rather than undermine their confidence and sense of self. Raising children with love and understanding contributes to their harmonious development and the formation of healthy self-esteem.

For young children, a coach acts as an authority figure. Children strive to imitate their mentor and trust them unconditionally. Unlike adults, who have defense mechanisms, children cannot so easily distance themselves from negative words. If you tell an adult, "You're worthless," they'll typically respond, "I don't care what you think; I feel like a winner." A child, however, will take such words seriously because they look up to their coach and trust them completely. This trust can have a significant impact on their self-esteem and development.

Raising young athletes into champions is possible without the use of force, yelling, or harsh language. Respecting children encourages them to practice even in your absence. Some people mistakenly believe that a positive approach to training means a lack of discipline, but this is not true. Being close to a child and becoming their friend is not a weakness, but a true strength. This approach builds trust and motivation, which significantly increases the effectiveness of training and athletic achievement. Creating a healthy atmosphere allows children to reach their potential and strive for new heights.

Don't forget to praise: about motivation and its shades

Athletes should not resort to personal attacks - this is an important point that we discussed. You also mentioned on your channel that negative motivation is often used in Russia. Can you explain in more detail how this manifests itself?

Many coaches focus on identifying, analyzing, and criticizing mistakes. Thinking back to my daughter's professional tennis days, I often watched her play and offered advice on how to improve. One day, she said to me, "Mom, can you ever tell me that I'm doing well?" This reminded me of the importance of positive feedback in learning and development. Support and recognition of achievements play a key role in building confidence and motivation in athletes.

Athletes need psychological support and encouragement. It's important to highlight not only their weaknesses but also their strengths. Positive motivation has a significant impact on children and contributes to their development. However, praise should be well-founded and sincere, without excessive exaggeration. This will help create a healthy atmosphere for sports and increase the confidence of young athletes.

Read also:

Sports Psychologist: Interview with Victoria Borzenkova

Victoria Borzenkova, an experienced sports psychologist, shares her views on the importance of psychology in sports. Sports psychology helps athletes cope with emotional and psychological stress, which plays a key role in achieving high results.

During our conversation, Victoria explains how she helps athletes develop mental resilience, concentration, and self-confidence. She emphasizes that working with a psychologist allows athletes to overcome fears, cope with stress, and improve their performance.

One of the core aspects of a sports psychologist's work is an individual approach to each client. Victoria discusses the methods she uses in her practice, including visualization, relaxation techniques, and competition-preparation techniques.

Sports psychology is becoming increasingly popular in the world of sports, and Victoria Borzenkova is confident that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation. She encourages athletes not to neglect this aspect of their training, as a strong spirit and confidence can be decisive factors in achieving success.

An interview with Victoria Borzenkova highlights the importance of sports psychology and its impact on athletic achievement.

Properly combining positive and negative motivation is key to effectively achieving goals. Positive motivation focuses on encouragement and support, which helps increase confidence and satisfaction. It creates an atmosphere in which a person strives for success for the sake of positive results. Negative motivation, in contrast, emphasizes the consequences of failure or negative aspects, which can spur action in situations that require a quick decision.

To effectively combine both approaches, it is important to find a balance. Positive incentives, such as praise and recognition, can increase engagement and loyalty, while negative aspects, such as the fear of missing out or facing consequences, can serve as an additional impetus for action.

Creating a strategy that combines both types of motivation allows people not only to strive for success but also to avoid potential failure. This approach provides comprehensive support, helping to achieve desired results and develop personal qualities.

The sandwich principle involves first providing criticism, pointing out the athlete's mistake, and then concluding the constructive feedback with a positive comment. This approach helps create a balance between criticism and support, which facilitates more effective perception of information and increases the athlete's motivation. It is important not only to point out shortcomings but also to celebrate achievements to maintain confidence and the desire to improve.

It is important to provide constructive feedback to maintain motivation and the desire to improve. For example, you can note that there are errors in the work, but simultaneously highlight successful aspects. This approach helps not only children but also adults, including professional athletes, who may experience difficulties under the pressure of criticism. Positive feedback creates an atmosphere conducive to development and self-improvement.

The balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation plays a key role in achieving high results. Intrinsic motivation, based on personal interests, hobbies, and the desire for self-improvement, promotes deeper engagement and sustainability in the work process. Extrinsic motivation, associated with rewards, recognition, and social factors, can serve as a powerful motivator, especially in the early stages. The optimal balance between these two types of motivation depends on individual personality traits and the specific nature of the activity. Research shows that higher intrinsic motivation, combined with the judicious use of external incentives, leads to better results. Therefore, to achieve success, it is important not only to develop internal motivations but also to consider external factors, creating a harmonious environment for personal and professional growth.

Today, there is no universal formula for achieving success, as the structure of motivations changes throughout a career. External and internal motivation factors can be harmonious or, conversely, inconsistent, but this is not a determining factor for achieving victory. The main thing is to be aware of your motives and adapt to changes in order to find the optimal balance that promotes personal and professional growth.

It is believed that intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation, stemming from personal interests and aspirations, promotes deeper engagement and persistence in goal achievement. Unlike extrinsic motivation, which may depend on external factors such as rewards or recognition, intrinsic motivation creates more lasting and sustainable results. This is why many experts recommend developing internal sources of motivation to achieve maximum productivity and satisfaction in various areas of life.

Sport is not only a hobby but also a full-fledged profession that provides athletes with the opportunity to earn money from their talent and work. An athlete's desire to earn money from their career is completely natural and justified. Successful athletes can develop their personal brand, which opens new horizons for earning money after retiring from active careers. This allows them to use their skills and achievements to create additional sources of income, making a sports career attractive and promising.

A key aspect of successful athlete development is the harmony between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. External factors, such as rewards and recognition, should be linked to internal needs, such as the desire for self-improvement. In this situation, athletes are able to continue to progress and reach new heights, even if material motivation loses its relevance. It is important to understand that intrinsic motivators play a crucial role in maintaining sustained interest and commitment to sport.

Many coaches have a pedagogical education, but they are not always aware of the important psychological aspects you are discussing. Do your colleagues often turn to you for advice?

Unfortunately, many coaches view psychologists as rivals and, as a result, do not seek their help. This can negatively impact the effectiveness of the training process and the psychological state of athletes. It is important to understand that collaboration between coaches and psychologists can significantly improve results and strengthen team spirit. Psychological support plays a key role in the development of athletes, and open collaboration can lead to more harmonious and successful training.

Psychological support plays an important role in sports training. A psychologist doesn't dictate how a person lives their life, but rather serves as a complement to the coach's work. Initially, the specialist listens carefully to the coach and parents to understand their observations and needs. Based on this information, the psychologist begins their work. The coach focuses on developing the athlete's technical skills, while the psychologist emphasizes mental aspects, helping to improve the athlete's emotional state and mental resilience. This comprehensive approach contributes to more effective training and improved results in sports.