Utilize these tips with people you coach and those who you are close with & you will find that your relationships become very full, real, stable and prosperous.
- All CrossFit Coaches should use these communication tips….& yea, so should just about everyone else.
- Use these methods & suggest them by passing them on to those who you consider part of your emotional support team. This is how you should communicate with others, and how others should communicate with you.
When individuals come to you with a thought or a feeling & are reaching out for support…
- respond with questions to dig deeper & allow them to be completely vulnerable…things like “how does that make you feel” “why do you think that way?” ”what situations cause that” -Responding with a question/who, what, when, where, why etc. will help people analyze further how they are feeling and make them feel comfortable fully expressing themselves (delving further into the situation will make feelings more clear which is a win/win for both individuals).
- stay away from responding with; “you shouldn’t feel like that” or “don’t think that way”. Individuals are feeling or thinking what they are for a particular reason, and therefore can not help but express their natural self. Telling someone they shouldn’t think or feel something, really negates that person’s feelings. It doesn’t help any situation & can turn people away from sharing thoughts in the future. As emotional supports, (coaches, parents, friends) we must remember that people are sharing something because it is true and real to them.
- remind them of their focus, their goals and the things they can control. Remind them why they do what they do and what they are getting out of it (rewards, positive feelings etc.) These reminders should be explicitly that person’s focus, goals, etc. not anyone else’s thoughts about what they SHOULD be. If you are a true emotional support you should really take the time to understand that persons motives and aims.
Stick to these 3 tips when communicating with people who look to you for emotional support. Pass it on.
Dawn Fletcher has an M.A. in Kinesiology with a focus on Sport Psychology. She is a CrossFit Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in San Diego, CA. She specializes in the mental aspect of performance and works with individuals or groups looking to perform better.
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