YOUR PERSONALITY IS A SECRET WEAPON
Who do you really see in the mirror? What is that person about? Why do they act the way they do?
These questions may not be top of mind on your hurried way out the door each morning. But in order to perform at your best during the Olympic Games, you will need to find some answers.
Remember Dumbo The Flying Elephant.
When this clumsy character (made famous by Walt Disney in 1941) looks in the mirror, he sees only his enormous ears. Ridiculed for how he looks, Dumbo struggles with his knowledge of ‘self’. But with support from friends and family he learns to understand the power his ridiculous ears could harness. And in a moment of truth, he is amazed to discover he could use those very same ears to fly.
In essence, Dumbo learned he can perform on demand simply by understanding the truth about who he really is.
Now, this is not to say a little self-discovery will mean Olympic success. But it is to say that in the details of your personality, there is rich potential for you to be the best version of yourself in the moments that matter.
And in the context of the Olympic Games, is this not what each of us is striving for?
“Know thyself for the truth will set you free.” - Socrates
Dumbo’s story reminds us of the importance in knowing who we really are when it counts. By understanding these things about ourselves, we can take advantage of the character traits that enable us to perform at our best.
Do you know who you really are?
At Olympic Lab 2017 performance expert Philippa Bond took us through an important exercise to help us discover both our virtues (qualities) and our vices (traps or drawbacks).
We learned about having active self-awareness, how identifying our responses or reactions to stress can impact the execution of our roles. We learned to ask ourselves if we are going to be at our best, what are the factors we need to understand to get there?
The exercise wasn’t easy, as it exposed the things that hinder our performance, our derailers. But more importantly, it helped to uncover our own secret weapons when we feel safe and supported so we can get the most out of our game-day selves.
When put in the context of Team Canada — within an environment of support and intimacy — this opportunity grows, and you can be even more conscious of your own potential.
So, if you missed the Lab or want a good reminder, now is a good chance to find out what kind of person you really are. This is your opportunity to understand who is truly looking back at you in the mirror.
Please note the following is a third-party product. The COC recognizes that it requires you to identify your gender which does not support our message of inclusion and diversity. Thank you for your understanding.
SIMPLY FILL OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY
Now here’s the fun part. You can now expose the things about your personality that are helping you prepare to perform and what things are not. This is your opportunity to really understand your essence, your virtues and your traps. You can fully understand how you as an individual best react to stress, what you need to do and why you need to do it.
Uncover your Enneagram number to discover your own super-powers.
- TWO
VIRTUES
Helper, Giver, Carer, Flattery, Generosity. Pleaser, CaretakerVICES
Manipulative, Hysterical, Scheming, Martyr
SELF-IMAGE
I help. I am humble
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Suppressing your own needs and not asking for what you need to support you.
• Helping and supporting other people at the expense of yourselfWHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Ask for help.
• Let others help themselves without you needing to fix it.
• Treat yourself as someone who needs your attention and support.
• Focus on your needs and having them met.
• People want to help you, however you have to let them IN.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Help yourself before helping others.
- THREE
VIRTUES
Successful, Performer, Doer, Driver, Adaptable (Chameleon)VICES
Vanity, Deceit, Status Seeker, Dis-honest, Egocentric
SELF-IMAGE
I am successful. I am efficient.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Fear of failure – thinking you are going to look bad or fail.
• Saving face – creating or manifesting a genuine reason WHY you can’t perform.
• Taking short cuts in the attempt to be more efficient.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Chop wood and carry water – do what needs to be done; rather than trying to take short cuts.
• Let your ambition give you energy.
• Hold the vision you are striving for and resist distractions.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Think of yourself as a success no matter what the result is. - FOUR
VIRTUES
Romantic, Artist, Creative, Authentic, Unique, Different, Dreamer, IndividualVICES
Melancholy, Moody, Nostalgic, Seeking Happiness Through Pain, Need to be special
SELF-IMAGE
I am authentic. I am different
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Concerned you will not stand out enough – just one of the competitors
• You want / need to be seen as different.
• Can be challenged being a member of the team, especially if you are not seen or appreciated as unique.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Know you are authentic and unique by just being YOU – there is no need to try harder to separate yourself from the group.
• Lean on your creativity and sensitivity without becoming dramatic.
• Engage in an appreciate the beauty of your romantic experience of life.
• Be grateful and appreciative of what you do have (rather than focusing on what you do NOT have).WORDS TO REMEMBER
Live with gratitude and appreciation of who you are and what you have. - FIVE
VIRTUES
Thinker, Wise one, Observer, Loner, Investigator, StudentVICES
Withdrawn, Stinginess, Hoarding information, Seeking Wholeness Through Isolation
SELF-IMAGE
I am knowledgeable. I see through.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Emptiness – It is all pointless, nothing really matters, it just doesn’t make sense.
• Can lose motivation to train and push yourself when you go into your head and logical / rational thinking. It can all seem too pointless.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Connect with others. Connect with your feelings and discover that other people feel the same.
• Feel safe and develop your sense of belonging to a team – there is no need to do it solo.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Know you are wise and knowledgeable. - SIX
VIRTUES
PHOBIC: Loyal, Team player, Questioner, Sceptic, Protector
COUNTER-PHOBIC: Brave, Courageous, FearlessVICES
Cowardice, Paranoid, Insecure, Fearful, Persecuted
SELF-IMAGE
I am loyal. I do my duty.
Counter Phobic: I am courageous. I am brave.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Not feeling included and part of a team.
• Doubting your ability to perform.
• Consumed with the fear of injury.
• Could be challenged with your coach or team members not including you, or not making you feel included.
• Being or feeling shamed in front of your team members.
• Feeling you are not being treated fairly.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Know you are safe and that others are looking out for you.
• Continue to follow the instructions and guidance of the people you trust.
• COUNTER PHOBIC: Trust in your abilities. Keep yourself safe and know there is no need to ‘prove’ yourself to others.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Know you are safe. - SEVEN
VIRTUES
Optimist, Idealist, Happy, Planner, Adventurer, Enthusiast, Fun personVICES
Narcissistic, Avoidance of pain, Avoid conflict and confrontation
SELF-IMAGE
I am happy. I am good fun.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Scared of the pain of defeat (physical or emotional). Training could be getting too hard and you want to just play or enjoy yourself.
• Feeling the need to party when it is not the time or appropriate.
• Making light of a serious situation – and not taking appropriate steps to put yourself in a winning situation.
• Not sticking with a diet or Exercise / Rehabilitation regime because it is too difficult / painful.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Maintain your light-heartedness as you train and prepare.
• As you plan for your success, select one plan and DO IT – commit to just one path of action (rather than changing course or tactics).
• Stick to your diet and preparation program.
• Delay your celebrations and escapism until you have finished competing.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Know that you are capable to deal with whatever life throws at you. - EIGHT
VIRTUES
Leader, Boss, Strong, Asserter, Fighter, Challenger, Protector, Fighter for JusticeVICES
Vengeance, Punitive, Aggressive, Dominator, Coming on too Strong
SELF-IMAGE
I am strong.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Fear of being seen as weak.
• Concerned that you are not in control or in a powerful position.
• Feeling challenged or over-ridden by your coach or team members.
• Feel that the attention / support / opportunity is not fair – there is no justice
• Not agreeing with the way you are told to do things – fighting against the ‘system’
WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Knowing what battles to fight and which ones to let go of – this can sap your energy and focus.
• Keeping your clarity of vision for your end goal and keep working systematically towards it.
• Take time to rest (over training can be a trap because you think you are strong enough to do it).
• Allow yourself to be led by people you respect – taking the lead can be a distraction.
WORDS TO REMEMBER
• Know that your vulnerability is your greatest strength. - NINE
VIRTUES
Peacemaker, Mediator, Balancer, Harmoniser, Going with the FlowVICES
Laziness, Indifference, Indecisive, Floater, Avoid conflict or challenge
SELF-IMAGE
I am content.
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Lethargy and lack of motivation to go the extra mile or put in the energy and time to develop or train.
• Wanting to hide because it is all getting too hard.
• Indecision as to what to do in a difficult situation.
• Spending time on harmonizing or stabilizing a situation and this detracts you from your path.WHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• You balance and focus on your vision.
• Keep moving forward by focusing on the next thing (rather than getting overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done).
• Find a place of peace within yourself – know everything is in order and you don’t need to fix or harmonize things.
• Train/work hard then relax and rest hard.WORDS TO REMEMBER
Know that everything is in perfect balance even though it may not seem that way. - ONE
VIRTUES
Perfectionism, Reformer, Idealist, Teacher, WorkerVICES
Resentment, Judgemental, Self-Righteous, Anger that it is not right
SELF-IMAGE
I am right. I need to be perfect
WHAT HINDERS PERFORMANCE
• Angry about things not being done the right way.
• Spending energy proving yourself right and others are wrong.
• Needing to do it your way rather than following along with the group.
• Paying too much attention to detail which does NOT make a difference.
• Giving yourself a hard time and not appreciating what you are doing well – this can drop your self-confidence.
• Not thinking you are good enough.
• Being over critical of yourself and othersWHAT PROMOTES PERFORMANCE
• Know that everything is in perfect order, even if it is not exactly as you might like it.
• Develop tolerance for the imperfections in others.
• Focus on the detail which matters and let the details which do not make a difference in your performance to slip away.
• Use your anger as energy to fuel your preparation so you improve.
• Focus on your self, rather than focusing on other people and what they are doing (or not doing).WORDS TO REMEMBER
Know that the world is perfect exactly the way it is, and you don’t need to change it.
***
It’s never easy to take that good hard look in the mirror, but when it comes to the Olympic Games, you showed us that we owe it to ourselves to do everything we can in preparation.
So tomorrow, when you do look in the mirror, you can have answers to those difficult personal questions. You can have more tools, more strategy and better planning for this incredible opportunity you earned at the Olympic Games.
In fact, if you look hard enough, you may just learn you can fly.
Got something to say?