I recently met a guy that is a tennis pro from an Eastern block country, Serbia. We were talking about training methodologies, high level athletes and emotional states, among other topics.
One thing he said to me was amazing: that fun was not acceptable, and was a detriment basically, that limited an athletes possibilities.
Wow. I thought maybe I was interpreting this incorrectly so I asked some more questions to clarify. Apparently I had heard correctly. His point of view was that “fun” got in the way of success. Hmm.
Was this a societal POV , a personal POV or something else? Was this POV something he bought as the Answer? The only possibility? What is it that we think we know about Eastern Block countries? This man has been successful and at the same time, unwilling to incorporate fun into his students worlds.
Even during our talk I could feel his reluctance to perceive of a different possibility.
There have been scientific studies showing that the endorphins generated when one is happy actually increase a persons effectiveness. My own experience shows that in terms of learning new things - it is easier and quicker for people to incorporate changes when they are having "fun" than when they are made wrong for not doing it correctly or if they are depressed. And isn't it ironic that when having fun, people have shown a decrease in depression, as well as other medical conditions. Playing sports has been cited over and over again for being a great way to decrease depression, though when being forced to "play", can we actually enjoy it?
Talking with that man made me curious, thus I'm writing this to invite responses from those that might read this.
There are infinite ways to look at this. Some include the balance between dedication and the willingness to do and be what ever is required to improve, and keeping things light. Have you ever noticed how much harder an athlete has to work when they are upset? It weighs them down, physically and emotionally.
Here is a link to a couple articles by Dr. Ellen Weber that talk about learning, comprehension & depression and how the brain is involved...fascinating.
http://www.
Check them out and hopefully you will find them as interesting as I have.
Brain function is a very interesting aspect in relation to depression. As related to sports, what if we could change the brain wave activity levels and allow for a more enlightening experience? Without drugs or technology. What could that offer the athlete?
What would it look like to generate something that is so effective, simple, and fun, it stood everything that has come before on it's head?
We are already doing this - though most people do not know or do not believe. Are you ready for more? Ready to choose something that is not common or normal, though is so dynamic it will freak you out?
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