When Canucks starting goalie, Thatcher Demko, went down with an injury at the start of the playoffs, Canucks fans’ hearts sank. And not just a little. Alot! Demko is a stud. One of the top goalies in the world – if not THE BEST for much of this year.
And when Canucks backup Casey DeSmith also suffered a minor injury the following game the Canucks went with Abbotsford farm team goalie, Arturs Silovs. Now, Silovs is no slouch – having won the MVP at the World Championships last year…but inexperience at playoff time can be a huge liability.
Yet there the Canucks were, fighting for playoff survival last week, playing Silovs even when DeSmith was recovered from his injury. DeSmith, being paid $1.9M this year, playing backup to the unproven rookie who is earning $786k – less than half of DeSmith.
And yet it was clearly articulated by some of the best sports reporters as to why Silovs got the call. It’s because the young rookie has nothing to lose – and KNOWS IT!
One popular sportscaster specifically stated how players/goalies who have been in the league for any length of time learn to put more pressure on themselves, because they are told repeatedly all that is at stake. The pressure to win (above all else!), to perform, to earn their salaries …and maybe more importantly, the fans’ approval!
These all contribute to mounting pressure that a veteran player takes more heavily the longer they are in the league. The thought that deepens for the veteran player is, “What could go wrong?”.
The Point... (G,A)
And here’s the lesson in this example for all of us. Mounting pressure beyond a low to moderate amount is understood to be counter productive. The “ignorance is bliss” approach certainly can help you perform better. Less hangups about what could go wrong improves performance. And the question that remains in the rookie’s mind is, “What do I have to lose?!”. Or better stated, “What could go right?”.
The difference in programming in your mind between “What could go wrong?”, and “What could go right?”, is a gap wider than any chasm under the oceans. It’s the difference between joy and misery. Fulfillment and depression. Winning and losing (at life!).
What I am clearly saying is, there are two types of people… the “What could go wrong” people vs. the “What could go right” people.
The Canucks have chosen. As has their young rookie goalie, who is playing great! And a long time ago, you chose too. Unconsciously, in your defense.
And now, armed with this awareness, you have the opportunity to choose again. Consciously. With daily practice. Re-wire the circuitry. Play the other program.
Ask yourself each and every day in moments that matter, “What could go right?”.
Stop wasting your limited mental energy worrying about what could go wrong and start getting excited about what could go right!
Go Canucks Go!!
Love this one, thanks Chris!!