It was at a World Cup in Madaro, Japan, that I first learned how important a positive attitude can be. The day was warm and the conditions on the aerial hill were deteriorating. The sunny conditions prevented me from getting enough speed on my first jump, and I ended up crashing. Knowing you typically need two good jumps to do well at a World Cup contest, I wanted to throw in the towel.
My next thought: you never know what can happen, and I had to think positively if I wanted to turn things around. I mentally let go of my first jump, knowing I could never get it back. I had to focus on perfecting my second one.
The positive outlook paid off: my second jump was the highest scoring one of the day, and I ended the contest in second place. I learned it wasn’t over until the fat lady sang…or at least until the final round was completed.
Today’s activity requires a little assistance. Hold your arms out to the side and think of something that really depresses you. Have a friend try to push your arms down while you’re thinking this negative thought. Now hold your arms again and think of something that really inspires you and brings you happiness. Again, have a friend try to push your arms down while you’re thinking this positive thought. You will be amazed at the difference.
Come up with a list of five positive words, thoughts or objects that you can bring to the front of your mind when you are feeling down or “defeated.” Use these words or thoughts to give you strength and bring back your passion. Popeye and his spinach will have nothing on you.
********** Motivational Weight Management Tip **********
My experience of working with the Biggest Loser contestants and Symtrimics has inspired me to leave motivational diet, health, and wellness tips at the end of all of my blogs. These tools will be driven from the actual advice shared in my weekly motivational Transformation Talks. This week’s tip: Do the activity or exercise that you hate the most first. If you hate to run and you leave it until the end of the day, you will be dreading it the entire day and it will only make the whole fitness regimen seem more overwhelming and unbearable. Get it over with and enjoy the rest of your day.
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Nikki Stone won Olympic gold after she overcame a near career-ending spinal injury to win America’s first gold medal in the sport of Aerial Skiing. She was honored with the task of helping train the current Olympians on overcoming distractions, dealing with pressures, and harnessing confidence going into the Vancouver Olympics. And most recently, she was asked to be the motivational expert for a new Biggest Loser regional program.
Stone now works as a motivational speaker and recently authored the much-talked-about inspirational book 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.