Managing Life Well If-Then Planning and Self-Calming

Dr. Bruce Lawrie, PhD, is an internationally renowned psychologist who for 32 years has been specializing in using Applied Performance Psychology techniques to enhance overall psychological and physical wellbeing to help individuals and teams reach their full life and competitive potential.  As an elite Masters Swimmer himself with 50 plus years of coaching of international medal winners at Paralympics, Olympic and Commonwealth Games, Dr.Lawrie ‘s observations and advise are timely and much welcomed within our swimming community.   He is located in the United Kingdom and may be reached at www.aappuk.co.uk or email at drblawrie@aol.com

 

When faced with challenges, you may decide to be determined and succeed, then set goals to help you cope – which is great!

BUT: Determination to succeed, combined with a goal (although important) only accounts for about 20% to 30% of success – you need something else! So despite you being motivated and having a good plan/goal, you (like us all) would benefit from extra support to deal with challenges.

I am going to outline a simple, but very powerful technique, that will help you self-regulate (be in charge of) your emotions, thoughts, and behaviour.

This very effective method is called If-Then Planning: a two-part plan that helps you expect (predict) and manage situations that you may find challenging.

Remember: The best psychological techniques are doable, not tied up in technical terms that are difficult to either understand or do. Don’t be fooled by If-Then Planning’s concrete approach, it is a very powerful psychology tool, and if you use it regularly it helps!

Here we go:

The If-part: I think about situations you may find challenging.

The Then-part: I work out how you will manage them.

Some examples:

If: I feel bored. Then: I will listen to music.

If: I feel sad. Then: I will speak to my parents or friends.

If: I get fed up being indoors. Then: I will remind myself that being indoors keeps me and others safe and healthy.

If: I worry about not training. Then: I will do my home-based training exercises.

If: I worry about losing my fitness. Then: I will remind myself that my fitness will return when I start training again

Sounds simple? It is – and POWERFUL – but only If You Do It!

You can write your own If-Then Plans, or ask your coach or parents for help with your If-Then Planning.

Your If-Then Template

If this happens……

Then I will……

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell

Your Body Hears Everything Your Mind Says

 

Self-Calming Activities These techniques will help you calm – whenever you start to feel stressed.

Now I emphasise – this is about you doing something when you start feeling that you are becoming stressed or anxious. Don’t wait till you are very stressed…as soon as you get the feeling that you’re becoming stressed – do something – this is about you avoiding being overstressed – you taking control!

To Self-Calm – take charge by doing the following:

1. Engage in Constructive self-talk. Tell yourself, “My thoughts control my emotions and behavior, and I’m deciding to stay calm and look at the good things in my life.

2. Do some relaxation exercises – get guidelines from Dr. Lawrie – if you’re going do it – do it properly!

3. Use Imagery – not just Visualisation – Imagery is far more powerful and can be used to relax, like taking a holiday in your mind, for instance.

4. Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself –listen to music – read a book – watch TV – have a cuppa.

5. Other people matter too – be kind to others. What goes around comes around – your kindness will be returned.

6. Chat to a friend – parent – coach!

7. Exercise – it helps both your body and mind.

NOW – A Powerful Thought – Just For You!

If you say to yourself I’m fed up not training or not going to school or not going out to meet people – then you will tend to feel sad etc.…

Instead say to yourself: ‘I chose to be healthy!’

You then give yourself a very powerful message that reinforces the fact that YOU have made a decision!

Why does this matter?

Well – when you accept responsibility (I chose) YOU start to exercise control over YOUR LIFE. YOU DECIDE – because it’s the correct thing to do.

This gives you power, helps you feel good, and it makes sense!

After all, there will come a time, in the near future, when you not being able to train or go to school etc., will be in the past.

Concentrate on YOU being the Best YOU NOW!

 

Any athletes/coaches/clubs/students/schools/coaches parents etc. that need further support, contact: drblawrie@aol.com