Preparation and Performance at the Peak of the Fleet
Ever wonder what it would be like to win a World Championship 8 out of
the last 10 times you tried?
How
about come in second twice, the two times you did not win?
I
cannot claim that I never envisioned myself achieving that goal. Believe
it or not, neither has Eduardo. Since the first week of June of 2004, I
have learned (and forgotten) more than I could ever imagine. After
reflection, it is well worth sharing what Peggy will let me put on one
page.
Using Eduardo Cordero (Ocho) as the model, there are four areas that
render attention when peak performance is on the menu.
First, let’s assume the given that “Ocho” is performing at or about his
peak when he shows up to sail his Sunfish. Second, let’s say that there
are four areas that “in balance” significantly enhance his peak
performance.
1-Physical (the discipline to “show up”),
2-Mental (the knowledge to execute),
3-
Emotional (the heart to persist),
and
4-Spiritual (the reason(s) why).
Let’s explore how this applies to Ocho and hopefully to “Us.”
1-
Physical capacity-
All human beings are not created equal but hard work brings them closer
when the goal is to be physically fit. Ocho has a coach or had one that
taught him how to eat, what and when that narrows the margin of error.
Believe me he puts his pants on one leg at a time and he is just as
addicted to cheese, cookies and ice cream as the next.
Tip 1) He eats his carbo’s early, proteins late. We are working on other
good habits and routines to share but that one thing was the difference
that made a difference in showing up at 187 lbs.
- the lightest I have sailed a Sunfish since high school. Physical
fitness is Ocho’s strength. He narrows the gap by showing up at the gym.
When I get him to write it down on a piece of paper or I get up early
enough to go to the gym consecutively I’ll share that routine.
Tip 2) Exercise often and make it easy. Even if you walk for 10-15
minutes a day you, made progress toward the goal.
2-
Mental capacity-
Many of us have done it all. We’ve been at the favored end, sailed in
phase, made a nice tack. It comes down to putting it all together.
Most of us impede that capacity at some juncture in our life whether it
is in sailing or otherwise. Ocho is always learning and he is like a
sponge. It is no coincidence that he is always teaching others with
Passion.
Tip 3 and 4) Look forward to learning something new; teach the new
material so that they could teach it to you and you will Master the
material.
3-
Emotional capacity-
This was Ocho’s Achilles heal ten years ago. No one remembers better
than I incidents like that one that “the Champ” was spotted ranting in
Spanish, beating his boat with his tiller extension while sailing upwind
in Bermuda.
Since 1996 and 7 titles in as many tries, we can assume those days of
emotional uprising have dampened to a low roar. Channel great passion
(heart) and great things are accomplished (with one caveat*). What you
think about has a lot to do with your emotional state and capacity. Most
people have control over what they think about most of the time.
Tip 5) Reflect upon what emotions you might be feeling and what you
would be thinking when you accomplish your goal. Chances are that if you
were to put yourself in that frame and state of mind, say once a day,
you’ll see results. (Try this for at least 21 days**).
4-
Spiritual capacity-
How many of us think that because we set a goal (or make a wish) that we
would like to accomplish something … it will actually happen? How many
of us have said, “wouldn’t it be great to … the Olympics?”
Now please don’t get me wrong here, skill and persistence, i.e., are
keys I would never discount, but spiritual capacity is the depth of the
“Why” in a goal. The “Why,” drives one’s motivation. Confidence we can
be attributed to a great deal of success and it is based upon spiritual
foundation.
Ocho like any great champion has plenty of confidence that he bears with
class. No one repeats 8 times at a world championship because they like
to win or to be famous or for another cool trophy.
Eduardo loves the camaraderie, the freedom sailing represents and the
gift of giving, “that one idea, or tip like Derrick Fries gave (sic)
him” at the beginning.
Tip 6) Make sure your goals are in line with what is important to you,
deep down.
* Great passion is best suited for success when aligned with what
matters most (spiritual direction) Flawed when misaligned with moral or
ethical conscience.
** Concentration is like a muscle and will develop with practice. It is
believe most people form habits after about 21 days of repetitive
trials.
Bonus tip) Turn these concepts into practice. Practice is 99 percent of
the game. When you start looking at the process of practice you begin to
progress toward your goals for the reasons that matter most, to you!
Paul-Jon Patin - 1717
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