Why Every Hockey Player Needs a Power Statement

I am a huge fan of Daniel Pink who is an author and thought leader. In one of his most famous books, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, he shares about the importance of finding your purpose via a “big question” – a short sentence of who you are and what you will leave behind as your legacy.

Here are a few examples from his book:

John F. Kennedy: “A great man.”

Abraham Lincoln: “He preserved the union and freed the slaves.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt: “He lifted us out of a great depression and helped us win a world war.”

So, the question for you as it relates to your hockey legacy is this:

What is your one sentence?

It is definitely an exercise worth completing especially when thinking about your impact on the game for the long-term. However, let us take that one step further and create what Saul Miller calls a power statement so we can focus on the here and now.

A power statement is a short, positive affirmation which you can repeat to yourself off the ice when preparing for any game. You can also utilize it to remind yourself of your abilities and skill sets when navigating slumps in your gameplay. The primary purpose is help you staty focused, motivated, and confident so you can achieve peak performance on the ice.

Here is an example of a power statement for an NHL Defensemen:

"On defense, I always have a good position. My position is so good that I see opportunities, and I make excellent passes. These passes set up scoring chances. This happens because I am prepared. I am composed. I am powerful. I help my team win games."

A power statement can be a paragraph like the one above or a series or collection of short statements. I actually prefer something like the above which can be put to memory and repeated over and over again so you can enjoy benefits which include:

Power Statements Help You Stay Focused on The Bigger Picture

If you are reading this blog post, you have big hockey goals for yourself and your team. You are looking for every competitive edge to help you stay focused on track with the vision you have laid out. When you have a power statement, you have a clear reminder of what you are working toward as a player. Everything becomes a bit more in focus and the fog begins to dissipate. Whether your goal is to make it to the NHL, win a college championship, or simply score more goals in your men's league, a power statement can help you stay focused and motivated on achieving those goals.

Power Statements Build Confidence

Hockey is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports on the planet. The demands are so intense that it is easy to get discouraged and possibly even burnt out. However,  a power statement can help you get back on track by staying positive and confident even in the darkest times or loneliest parts of the grueling hockey season. The simple practice of repeating a positive affirmation to yourself via a power statement can build mental toughness and resilience that will serve you well both on and off the ice.

Power Statements Reduce Anxiety

Since you are a hockey player, you are no stranger to high-pressure situatinos. The fast-paced nature of hockey creates for high stakes which results in feelings of overwhelmn and anxiety. A power statement can help you manage these feelings by giving you a positive, calming message to focus on on and off the ice. By repeating your power statement to yourself, you can stay grounded annd focused with thea ability to neutralize negative emotions and stressful situations.

Power Statements Remind You of Your Core Values

Each one of has a set of rules which we operate from on a day-to-day basis. Just like the company we work for has a set of core values, we also have a collection of values which dictate our actions on and off the ice. Your power statement is a reflection of those values making it serve as a compass for how you perform and work with others. I encourage you to think about questions like: What motivates you? What drives you to succeed? What values do you hold dear? Take some time to reflect on these questions and write down your answers.

Power Statements Are Good for Your Brain

Recent research has shown that positive self-talk like that of a power statement can actually change the way your brain functions and operates. When you engage in positive self-talk, you activate the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that's involved in decision-making, attention, and self-control. This activation can lead to increased focus, concentration, and self-regulation, all of which are essential for peak performance in hockey. In other words, a power statement is a scientifically-backed approach to improve your mental game and performance on the ice.

Final Thoughts

Creating a power statement is a valuable tool for every hockey player looking to improve their performance and mental game. Carve out some time in the days ahead to write down a few statements that work for you and your playstyle. Pick a few of your favorites and see if you can use them to construct a paragraph. Memorize it and then lock into it anytime you need it. If you make this a new healthy routine, your mental game will begin to elevate.