F.A.R.T (A powerful formula that helps athletes deal with change in their lives) -by Coach Dave Stricklin http://www.hoopskills.com
Being part of a basketball team provides too many advantages to count, including the opportunity to learn many important life lessons that will help us for years to come. One such life lesson centers on how to deal with change and let's face it if there is one constant in life (and basketball) it's that it is continually changing. So the next time you face some change either on or off the court. F.A.R.T. until you get back on track: Face the facts. The first step is to honestly realize and admit that your circumstances have somehow changed and an adjustment needs to be made. Maybe it's something obvious like you are injured or your team is facing an inevitable coaching change. Maybe it's something not as obvious such as why your playing time has rapidly decreased over the last few weeks. Denying what has happened or even avoiding the truth is only going to prolong the pain and so the sooner you can face the facts the sooner you can improve the situation. Accept what is happening. I realize that this is often very difficult to do and you certainly don't have to like the change. However, you do need to accept it before you can deal with it and get on with your season and/or career. Given the choice, we would all much rather live securely in our personal comfort zones, but now that things are different we need to suck it up and demonstrate some mental toughness no matter how emotionally difficult. Sometimes acceptance means acknowledging some personal responsibility. Is it possible that YOU have caused the change because of your work ethic, attitude, or commitment? 1 F.A.R.T-a Powerful Formula That Helps Athletes Deal with Change in Their Lives-hoopskills.com
Research other options and possibilities. Now that you have faced the facts and accepted what's happened, you need to find the best way to deal with the new changes. Start by brainstorming and writing down every possible option regardless if it is realistic or ridiculous. The bigger the list the better - quit playing, see another doctor, improve your speed and agility, ask for a different role, etc. Each situation is going to generate a separate and distinct list and so while brainstorming be more concerned with quantity of options than with quality. Once your list is completed begin reviewing and eliminating each option one by one until you are left with the most realistic, most feasible option possible. Remember though, the goal is not to find the option that you like the best but to find the option that will work the best. Take care of business. Any time a decision is made the very next step is always execution. This is the time where you have to do whatever it takes to make your new option your new normal. For example, let's say you recently tore your ACL (knock on wood). You've faced the fact that your knee is injured and it's going to be awhile before its back to normal. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get cleared by an orthopedic, you've accepted the fact that your season is definitely over. You make a list of all options and possibilities and decide that you're going to have surgery and be ready to play by the time fall practice starts. To make the best of your new situation and to improve your future, your new "normal" needs to include hour after hour of physical therapy and rehab. This same formula can be applied to any change you are faced with during your career. Every basketball player and coach, whether they are in middle school or in the NBA, is hit with a steady stream of change. How you handle those changes is going to largely determine your success and happiness. When those changes come, don't panic - F.A.R.T.
2 F.A.R.T-a Powerful Formula That Helps Athletes Deal with Change in Their Lives-hoopskills.com