Feature Story
Random acts of excellence in girls’ hockey
By Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
After running workshops for over 500
girls’ hockey players at six different regional tryouts this fall, I came up
with a brand-new term for players who SAY they want to get to the next level,
but don’t DO what it takes to get there.
“Random Acts
of Excellence” is the term I came up with to describe most of the players I
meet when I am doing workshops at different tournaments, camps and tryouts.
These players are really motivated and excited to do whatever it takes to stand
out at the tryout or tournament. They ask me what they should eat, what
training they should do and how they should prepare mentally, etc. But as soon
as the “big event” is done, they go back to doing whatever it takes to get by.
They fall into the pattern of just doing enough to perform well, instead of
pushing themselves to be great. And it’s committing these random acts of
excellence that is ultimately going to keep them from getting to the next
level.
You can’t
just decide that you want to work hard, get focused and do all the little
things you need to do off the ice to perform your best when there is a big
event coming up.
Because
excellence is not a “sometimes” thing...it’s an “all the time” thing. It’s easy
to get excited, motivated and determined to work harder, dream bigger and take
action when a big opportunity is in front of you. It’s A LOT harder to be
dedicated, passionate and committed when you are heading off to another weekday
practice after a long day of school and a long night of homework ahead.
Great players
choose excellence all the time.
They warm-up before every game – and practice.
They train
off the ice – when no one else is making them but themselves.
They drink
enough water and eat well – without being reminded constantly.
They set
goals – and hold themselves accountable to meeting them.
They don’t
just “turn it up” when there is a big prize on the horizon. They “turn it up”
all the time. Because that’s what it really takes to realize your dreams on the
ice. A constant and CONSISTENT commitment to being your best
each and every day.
So if you
truly want to become the best player possible, don’t just commit random acts of
excellence. Make sure you take action each and every day towards your dreams.
To avoid committing random acts of excellence, visit www.totalfemalehockey.com/mentorship.shtml.
Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS, is an expert in the
development of aspiring female hockey players. She is a former NCAA Division I
captain and played in the National Women’s Hockey League for six years. She is
currently the Girls Hockey Director at the PEAC School for Elite Athletes in
Toronto and is the Director and Founder of Total Female Hockey. You can get
complete access to Coach Kim’s articles, videos, interviews and advice on how
to take your game to the next level at www.totalfemalehockeyclub.com.
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