January 2022
ACDEI
Links to Know
Meeting Reminder
- The next ACDEI quarterly meeting is on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The Council would like to invite all coaches and staff to this brief meeting that is both educational and informative.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Links to Read
Mental Health Pro Tip
How to Hack Your Motivation
Welcome to the Spring 2022 semester, Nittany Lions! Let's start this year off with a strong mental game and focus on motivation.
If you were in a room full of people listening to a speaker and the speaker said, "raise your hand if you've ever felt un-motivated." You and everyone else in the room would have their hand in the air. Why does that matter? It matters because it's helpful to know that everyone feels un-motivated sometimes. It doesn't make you a slacker, it means you're sharing in a common experience we all have at times when we face a challenge that decreases our motivation. But I bet if you're reading this, it means you want to know more about how to increase your motivation. Let's talk about considerations to help hack your motivation and make it easier to tend to challenging tasks.
Consideration One: Focus on Your Why not Your Why Nots
We all have our sights on something, or are chasing a dream, or are getting after a goal. The "Why" is your personal purpose behind whatever you're pursuing; it's your motivational fuel. The "Why Nots" are the obstacles that you'll inevitably face that have the power to create self-doubt, fear, and insecurity resulting in decreased motivation. Keep your motivation high by giving more mental real estate to your "Why" and keeping your mentality shifted away from your "Why Nots." Some examples of how to do this are by visualizing your success or achievement, using positive self-talk that includes your "Why" daily, and/or making gratitude statements about yourself.
Consideration Two: Employ the Joy
Weave joy into or around any task that's making you feel un-motivated. In some cases you'll be able to modify the task itself to make it more enjoyable. In some cases you won't be able to, so instead, create a balance between approaching the challenging task and engaging in an unrelated enjoyable activities. When we experience joy, we tend to find it easier to do difficult things.
Consideration Three: Take a Priority Perspective
Incorporate the task into your routine so that it feels familiar, approachable, and worth your time versus annoying or like something you want to avoid. It should be as familiar to your routine as going to lift or class or putting on your gear before a game. You do this by intentionally prioritizing the task into your routine, working on it in a consistent AND realistic manner, and regularly recognizing your progress and hard work on the task.
Welcome to the Spring 2022 semester, Nittany Lions! Let's start this year off with a strong mental game and focus on motivation.
If you were in a room full of people listening to a speaker and the speaker said, "raise your hand if you've ever felt un-motivated." You and everyone else in the room would have their hand in the air. Why does that matter? It matters because it's helpful to know that everyone feels un-motivated sometimes. It doesn't make you a slacker, it means you're sharing in a common experience we all have at times when we face a challenge that decreases our motivation. But I bet if you're reading this, it means you want to know more about how to increase your motivation. Let's talk about considerations to help hack your motivation and make it easier to tend to challenging tasks.
Consideration One: Focus on Your Why not Your Why Nots
We all have our sights on something, or are chasing a dream, or are getting after a goal. The "Why" is your personal purpose behind whatever you're pursuing; it's your motivational fuel. The "Why Nots" are the obstacles that you'll inevitably face that have the power to create self-doubt, fear, and insecurity resulting in decreased motivation. Keep your motivation high by giving more mental real estate to your "Why" and keeping your mentality shifted away from your "Why Nots." Some examples of how to do this are by visualizing your success or achievement, using positive self-talk that includes your "Why" daily, and/or making gratitude statements about yourself.
Consideration Two: Employ the Joy
Weave joy into or around any task that's making you feel un-motivated. In some cases you'll be able to modify the task itself to make it more enjoyable. In some cases you won't be able to, so instead, create a balance between approaching the challenging task and engaging in an unrelated enjoyable activities. When we experience joy, we tend to find it easier to do difficult things.
Consideration Three: Take a Priority Perspective
Incorporate the task into your routine so that it feels familiar, approachable, and worth your time versus annoying or like something you want to avoid. It should be as familiar to your routine as going to lift or class or putting on your gear before a game. You do this by intentionally prioritizing the task into your routine, working on it in a consistent AND realistic manner, and regularly recognizing your progress and hard work on the task.
Morgan Academic Center
Morgan Academic Center Hours
- 1st Week of Classes- Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm, Saturday - CLOSED
- 2nd Week and remainder of semester- Sunday - Noon - 10pm, Monday through Thursday, 8am - 10pm, Friday 8-5pm - Saturday - CLOSED
- Follow @mac_psu for important information and updates!
Performance Psychology
Story to Read
Note from Performance Psychology
Win the Battle Within. We know that the best in the world at anything still have moments of doubt or uncertainty. Elite performers win the battle within. This starts with self-awareness (where I need/want to get better) and is influenced by self-regulation (great attitude, effective self-talk, appropriate focus, etc.). When all of this takes place within a consistently challenging environment or endeavor, it is helpful to be intentional with making space every day for gratitude and appreciation. Not only is this healthy in a wide variety of ways; we also see more good stuff when we are intentional about connecting with such positive emotions. Being the best version of yourself includes being self-aware, self-regulated, and grateful!
Sports Medicine
Link to Read
Note from Sports Medicine
The Sports Medicine staff would like to remind everyone that it is not too late to get a flu shot! Flu shots are safe to receive at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine or booster. Please see the Covid-19 Vaccine, Booster and Flu Vaccine Locator document.
Coaches and Staff are reminded to review the Penn State Cold Weather Plan for management of outdoor training activities.
Coaches and Staff are reminded to review the Penn State Cold Weather Plan for management of outdoor training activities.
Student-Athlete Welfare & Development
Links and Suggestions to Know
- Penn State Career Services
- NCAA-After the Game Career Center
- Eight Career Readiness Competencies Employers Look For
- Leadership Reading/Movie Suggestions:
- Make Your Bed-William H. McRaven;
- Start with Why-Simon Sinek;
- The Five Dysfunction of a Team-Patrick Lencioni
- DEI Documentary or Movie: Selma (2014)
Meetings and Programs to Remember
- Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB)
- Athletic Director's Leadership Institute (ADLI): Emerging-Veteran-360
- Positive Transition Seminars (PTS): Mock Interviewing Resume/Cover Letter/Personal Statement Assistance
- NIL Wednesday's (Educational Information Placed on the Spry App)