You may have heard the phrase “What would Jesus do?“. It is often abbreviated to WWJD, and became popular particularly in the United States in the late 1800s after the widely read book by Charles Sheldon entitled, “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do.” The phrase had a resurgence in the US and elsewhere in the 1990s and as a personal motto for Christians who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief in a moral imperative to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through the actions of the adherents. (Source: Wikipedia)
Similarly, if we want to create a personal motto to reinforce the keystone habits and behaviours of a hockey player, we could ask ourselves “What would Hayley Wickenheiser do?” or “What would Sidney Crosby do?“.
You could pick any player that you like or that you think would be a good role model for you. Hayley Wickenheiser, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid. You might even pick a favourite hockey coach or teacher. Anyone who you think typifies the bahaviour that you’d like to emulate.
Then, any time that you have a choice to make, you can reinforce a positive behaviour or keystone habit by asking yourself:
- What would Hayley Wickenheiser do?
- What would Hayley Wickenheiser eat?
- Would Hayley Wickenheiser get up and workout, or hit the snooze button?
- Would Hayley Wickenheiser watch another boring TV show or spend the time working on his stickhandling?
- Would Hayley Wickenheiser go to bed to rest up for a big game, or stay out with friends?
The One Constant In Our Life is CHANGE
Defining and Becoming Your Future Self
Identity is crucial for driving present behavior. A core tenet in psychology is that the best way to predict a person’s future behavior is by looking at their past behavior. However, when you’ve clarified your future self, and are actively chasing it — not your past — can be what is predicting your behavior.
See your future self as a different person from who you are today…
- Imagine who your future self is. It may help to think about your role model.
- Hold your current identity more “loosely,” knowing that who you are right now is temporary, not permanent.
- Have the courage to admit what you truly want (tell people about your future self).
- Use your new narrative, focused on your goals, to drive your daily decisions and behavior.
- Measure your progress (deliberate practice).
- Invest in your future self
- Never be defined by who you are right now.
Who is your future self?
Where will you be in 10 years?
Who are you “chasing”?
Would Hayley Wickenheiser (or your role model) approve?
Today’s Assignment:
- Complete today’s workout on the TeamBuildr app. Be sure to mark each exercise complete as you finish it. Depending on your schedule (other sports, work, etc.) it is okay to complete the exercises on another day or even substitute an alternate workout provided that the difficultly level is similar. Please make note of any substitutions or switches as part of the daily check in item in the TeamBuildr app.
- Think of someone who is already successful doing what you want to do to use as a role model? Post the name of your role model with a sentence or two describing who they are to the team WhatsApp group.