The Power of Purpose in Hockey: How to Harness Your Motivation
In my lifetime, I have had three profound moments where I discovered my purpose. The first was in 1997 when I realized in my second year of college that Communications needed to be my major. I grew up in a household of accountants so I presumed pursuing an accounting degree was the correct course of action. I was incredibly wrong. Accounting was not meant for me.
The second discovery of purpose is when I decided to venture into the world of entrepreneurship by creating first company, Ethos3, back in 2006. Again, growing up in a family which was risk averse, the idea of going out of my own was a scary pursuit. Fast forward 17 years later, and I have found myself with the honor of working with some of today's most admired brands and thought leaders.
And finally, my third moment was creating a new venture earlier this year. I have been running my other company for close to 20 years now and have been looking to do something different and new as I think about what my career will look like in my forties and fifties. Enter GritBase, my sport psychology and mental performance coaching company. It is the perfect blend of entrepreneurship with my love of sport.
At the time of this writing, I have been on this earth for 44 years and I have really only discovered my purpose (career-wise) on three separate occasions. All that to say, finding purpose does not come easy or quick but if you can find it then it can become one of the most powerful motivators, and will help you stay focused and driven in your athletic pursuits.
So, if you are looking to find your purpose within the realm of hockey, here are some steps you can take to either reaffirm your passion for the game or ignite it within you:
Identify What You Love
The first step in finding your purpose in hockey is to identify what you are passionate about in the sport. Is it offense? Is it defense? Is it goaltending? What aspects of hockey do you love the most? Is it the speed and agility required to skate and make plays on the ice? The camaraderie of playing as part of a team? The thrill of competition? By understanding what motivates you and what you enjoy most about the sport, you can start to identify your role and purpose.
Set Measurable Goals
Once you have identified your passion, it is important to set specific goals which align with your passions. You need to be thinking and ruminating over questions like:
What do you want to achieve in hockey?
Do you want to improve your skills in a specific area, make a specific team, or play at a higher level?
What does success look like in relation to hockey?
Setting concrete and measurable goals can help you stay focused and motivated on the path towards finding your purpose.
Find a Mentor
I have had two mentors in my lifetime. Both of them changed my career and my life. Finding a mentor who can guide and support you in your hockey journey can be invaluable in helping you find your purpose. This could be a coach, an experienced player, or even a parent who has played hockey before. They can offer guidance, share their own experiences, and help you stay accountable in pursuing your goals so once you reach clarity with your goals, start looking for a mentor.
Reflect on Your Values
It is also crtically important to consider what values are important to you and how they align with your purpose in hockey. For instance, do you value hard work, honesty, teamwork, and grit? Take a moment and write down your own core values. It can be five key items or a list of twenty or thirty. The main idea is to pause and think about what you value in yourself and others. By reflecting on your values and how they relate to your hockey pursuits, you can gain a deeper understanding of what drives you and what you want to achieve.
Embrace the Challenges
The pursuit of purpose will not be easy and will come with challenges. Finding your purpose in hockey requires a willingness to embrace those challenges and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. It is vital to be open to learning from mistakes, accepting feedback, and working hard to overcome obstacles along the way.
Parting Advice
Finding your purpose in hockey in a valuable component of a healthy hockey mindset. It can serve as your compass and guide when you feel like you are starting to lose your way. Think of it as the foundation in your thinking and planning, and let it serve as your homebase and guiding star with as you make decisions on and off the ice.
