Anchors

Coaching Tip #79

There are 4 Grand Slam’s in tennis: The Australian Open, The French Open, Wimbledon and The US Open. I love watching the four majors. These are the event that matter the most to the world’s best tennis players– to them everything is on the line, every shot can be the difference between ultimate success or deep disappointment. To have success, the player must persevere with skill, incredible fitness levels, athleticism, mental fortitude, and emotional control.

As I write this coaching tip, both the women and men’s Australian Open semi-final fields are now set. I have stayed up late or gotten up early to watch my favorite players. Win or lose, they are all amazing athletes.

The other night I watch Rafael Nadal play. It was day-time in Australia and as the temperature soared and the sweat beads dripped off the players, I could not help but observe some of Nadal’s quirky behaviors: the water bottles lined up, the towel placed in a particular way in a very specific spot and his repetitious motions made before each and every play.

As you watch him and his routinized behaviors, it is easy to jump to a conclusion around why he behaves the way he does. However, in this coaching tip I would like to explore another hypothesis.

On page 22 in my book Personal Next, I discuss one of the critical practices of a high performer: the need for us to understand and be ready to call upon our secure base.

A secure base is a safe place, an object, a person or a community that provides you with a sense of protection or caring. In high performance a secure base can be, according to psychologist George Kohlrieser, a source of inspiration and energy for daring, exploration, risk-taking and seeking challenges. Your secure base is more than support: it anchors you and is a dynamic two-way relationship that you can call on in times of need.

All alone on a tennis court, in the heat of competition and with fans cheering and jeering, Nadal has his anchor. He knows that certain actions settle him down and creates a laser like focus. He does not care if others think it is quirky. He only cares that it works for him.

Why is this important to you?

Because we all have experienced a time where the people that provide that secure base, for whatever reason, might not be available. We all at some point stand alone on the metaphorical tennis court.

To cope in that moment, and if required, perform, we need to know what anchors us. For Nadal, it is systems and routines.

A question to consider is “What anchors you?” Take 5 minutes and journal the answer to this question. Here are some thoughts to consider. Get specific.

• Exercise

• Routines

• Cooking

• Getting organized

• Mediation

• Taking a 5-minute break

• Drinking tea

Then if you so desire, take a moment to answer the next question: “Who anchors you?”

In times of need, when the pressure is on, you will be glad that you have the answers to these questions in your back pocket.