Clean Run - September 2012 - 29

Agility Mind Gym Exercise 1:
Think of something that is far more important to you than agility. Something that makes you laugh or you would give agility up for.

Agility Mind Gym Exercise 2:
Throughout this month, when you are feeling doubt or pressure or fear, commit to these three steps, in agility or in life: 1. Stop. Lift your shoulders. Deep breath in. Release shoulders. Breath out. 2. Think of something that centers you and gives you perspective. 3. Smile (to yourself if the situation warrants) and think “I’ve got this!” Fears usually start with, “ya, but...,” “what if...,” “I can’t...,” “the problem is...” The more you practice, the easier and more automatic it will become to catch yourself and be more self-aware of the fears you are harboring. Once you become aware of a fear and address it, the fear loses its power.

tive imagination when things are really heating up. Now, remember, I do get it. I have spent thousands of dollars to fly my dogs around the world for competitions, I have worked incredibly hard to get my skills to an elite level, put my heart and soul into it, and I love my dogs. So I really do understand how important it is and how much agility may mean to you. At the same time, if I was about to run in a national championship, knowing that an asteroid was about to crash

into and annihilate the Earth (we had decided to run in the event anyway), and then found out just before I ran that the United Nations had managed to come together to blow the asteroid out of the sky and the world was going to survive, do you think I would really care if we knocked a bar? Agility isn’t as important as world peace or world hunger. That one run is important to me as an individual, but it doesn’t affect millions of lives.

The beauty in what we do as agility competitors is in the passion, the pursuit of potential. Our doubts and fears are still there, but they can be re-packaged to make more sense, and to be more manageable... to be conquered. Your passion makes you willing to address your fears, which makes you far more powerful as an individual. D

Kathy Keats has been competing in elite athletics her entire life, with great success. She has been fascinated with human potential and peak performance and has dedicated much of her life to learning how to apply these principles in her various endeavors, as well as teaching others how to reach their potential. Kathy’s success at the national and international level in multiple venues demonstrates a plan for success, not simply a talent in one area. Kathy wants to see everyone become the best they can be and reach their goals in whatever life path they choose. You can reach her at kathy@theagilitycoach.ca.

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Clean Run - September 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - September 2012