When people ask how my group is going, I can’t help but come back to the players’ mindsets which then determines how well they’re progressing.
As the senior group is pushing for professional standards, increasing the quality of their performances and maturing in their responsibilities, whether a player keeps up with the group or not is revealed through their state of mind. Are they able to adapt and move forward – they have a growth mindset. Are they resistant or aloof? Yes, it is somewhat normal in the maturing process, yet if it is prolonged, they can get stuck in a fixed mindset.
My observations are that as the player matures they have more of a base to be open to learning and challenges, so they can move forward from the fixed place into growth. If they are sheltered or excused from those learning opportunities, there is no chance for growth.
Players who have had more experience in being exposed to adversity are often further ahead than the rest, and are the ones who have been able to adapt to the increased challenges, thrive under pressure and can’t help but pull the others along or leave them behind.
These are interesting times for our senior group as some prepare for their final year at IFS. As the pressure increases, who will lead, who will grow and who will be left behind?
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