Meridian Life February 2023 | Page 22

Pressures of the new year : A lesson in optimism

Mike , a star high school pitcher , was about to begin his senior season . While he was being recruited by several collegiate baseball programs , he still felt like he wasn ’ t good enough . He would wear himself out practicing before and after school . Hoping to elevate his game , he even tried running the length of the bases for every non-strike he threw . When he didn ’ t see any improvement , he tried running a mile for each hit that he gave up during practice . As he looked to the start of the season , Mike worried he would never be as good as he wanted to be . One day after practice , he and his coach sat down for a talk . “ Mike , you are a very talented pitcher but I ’ m going to have to cut you from the team .” Shocked and confused , Mike mustered up enough courage to plead his case , citing all the things he was doing to improve his performance . His coach sat and listened to the young man for a while before responding . “ Mike , I ’ m not going to cut you . You just listed 50 things you do well and 50 ways that you get better every day . My message to you is , listen to yourself . w Go out this season and play with confidence .” And so Mike did .
The Imposter Phenomenon is defined by the American Psychological Association as the inability to internalize and accept success . Individuals who experience this phenomenon will often attribute success to outside circumstances rather than their own merit which can lead to feelings of self-doubt , anxiety and depression . The Imposter Phenomenon is especially prevalent in high achievers and the ways that you think about success can sometimes outshine how far that you ’ ve come . One of the easiest ways to address these types of feelings is by adjusting our perception through positive self-talk .
The New Year is often the time that we reflect on where we can improve . This year , I challenge you to focus on
Jay Shehi CEO , Alliance Health Center
your successes rather than your failures . Below are some brief thoughts as you begin the process :
Focus on what you ’ re doing well . Doubt is natural and even healthy in moderation but as mentioned in the story above , it is essential to take time to reflect on your progress . As you ’ re reflecting , write down your thoughts . Putting pen to paper can not only validate your progress but will help you focus on where to go next .
Be an encourager . Some of the greatest influences in our lives were those who encouraged us . Think about those around you and how you can provide support and validation . Whether it is a family member , a coworker , or an old friend , being a voice of support can make all the difference in someone else ’ s life .
As the coach said to Mike , you are enough . This does not mean that we shouldn ’ t do things to improve our performance but the greatest barrier to the perception of improvement often lies within our own negative thoughts . As you approach goals in the New year , make one of your resolutions to be kinder to yourself .
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