Losing Control

By Nikki Stone HERWriter

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Many people think that because I took part in an individual—versus team—sport, there wasn’t a teamwork element. I absolutely guarantee that I wouldn’t have my Olympic medal if I didn’t know how to find, rely on and get help from many people around me. Take my coach, for instance. If you want to understand trust, try spinning at a hundred revolutions per minute five stories in the air, and counting on someone to tell you when to land right side up.

Aerialists flip and twist through space so quickly that we have a hard time deciphering how high we are off the ground. So my coach would call out instructions—to stretch my body and slow down my rotation, if I was flipping too quickly, or to pull my knees in to increase my revolutions if I was somersaulting too slowly. If I didn’t rely on his directions, and follow them implicitly, I likely would have found myself in a hospital bed rather than on an Olympic podium. Trust me, no one gets to the top alone.

It doesn’t take a genius to find the support you need. The real genius lies in recognizing that you need it! Take the time to see if you are letting others in to help you.

Are you one of those people who insist on controlling a situation? How uncomfortable are you in releasing some of that control? Ask yourself why you need to maintain this power. Try to see if you can let go of even part of that stubborn side by asking someone for help or delegating responsibility today for some small task you would normally do yourself.

Notice that someone else’s support and perspective can actually enhance the finished product. And may even allow you time to turn your attention toward more important issues.

********** Motivational Weight Management Tip **********

As an Olympian, best-seller, inspirational speaker, and Biggest Loser motivational expert, I’m often asked for tips, tools, quotes and activities to help people reach their goals. I like to end all of my blogs with short tools that are driven from actual advice I’ve shared.

This week's tip:

Take a few minutes to write down the names of 5 people—outside your family—whose back you really have. What are you doing to demonstrate that these people are on the top of your support list? If you can truly exhibit your support, you will be amazed at the response you receive. Then ask yourself how many people would have you on their list. If the number isn’t very high, it’s time to reflect on why.

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At the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Nikki Stone became America’s first-ever Olympic Champion in the sport of aerial skiing. What made this performance so unbelievable, was the fact that less than two years earlier, a chronic spinal injury prevented her from standing, much less walking or skiing off an aerial jump.

Nikki’s achievements have carried far beyond the slopes as she now works as an accomplished motivational speaker for national and international corporations and was a motivational coach for a national Biggest Loser program. Nikki has also recently released the inspirational bestseller When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How to Stick Their Necks Out (with contributors Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, Tommy Hilfiger, and more).

For more information, please visit www.WhenTurtlesFly.com and www.NikkiStone.com/

Edited by Jody Smith

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Marielaina Perrone DDS Blogger

Great article. Alot of what you mentioned can also pertain to dental phobia and dental anxiety. Thanks for sharing.

Marielaina Perrone DDS

October 1, 2012 - 10:57am

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.