As a student in Industrial Management at Georgia Tech in the early 60's, I was introduced to the writings of Peter Drucker. More like indoctrinated, as Dr. Drucker's teachings were essential to every course offered in the program. These words from Drucker seem very relevant today, "learn to accept change and be creative within it." Drucker knew that "change" was a constant and that success and satisfaction were linked to the acceptance of a NEW reality.

In the same way, athletes are forced to accept change. With age comes the need to accept and adjust to changes in skill and physical fitness. The goal for athletes, as they experience the need to change should be to find ways to enjoy physical activities without feeling burdened by a lack of fitness, previous illnesses, injuries, and/or poor performances. For young athletes, change can be very subtle and depending on the nature of the sport, they may burn out or simply move on to other activities. After high school and college, some athletes must deal with a source of change that they have no control over; i.e., loss of eligibility and the lack of opportunity to compete. In cases involving serious injuries or worn out joints, change is forced on the athletes with the only option being reduced levels of physical activity. In cases involving the END of physical activity, the change feels ominous and impossible to imagine. Yet, select athletes have been able to accept their reality and somehow find peace and serenity in a forced change.

ACCEPT CHANGE
The work of accepting "change" to your status as an athlete no matter how minor or severe demands a heavy dose of the of the "GOOD NEWS NETWORK." Good news, meaning a positive attitude focused on creating a new activity level or life-style. Network, meaning a source of positive energy and support made up of friends, coaches, techniques, and activities that inspire you to let go of fear and be creative as you move forward. To join and contribute to a "Good News Network" is to develop the ability to maintain a positive attitude for all that life has to offer and to lead your life accordingly, and to share this energy with others when appropriate.

This article represents an extension of the eastern phrase "we teach best what we most need to learn." I need to learn how to accept being in the third month of a year long rehab with "two new knees." At present, the extent of my physical training is a twenty minute session on a reclining stationary bike. The "good news" is the attitude that allows me to stay present and engaged when I want to be doing way more. The "network" is a support group that helps me deal with the fear "that this is it" and the ever-present reminders that I need to be self-directed: to operate in the moment, express my fire power and give my best effort. My performance goals are to maintain a positive attitude and have fun while working hard, to be as intense as needed to successfully complete my rehab and to stay focused on finding the value in this experience so that I can be FIT FOREVER.

BE CREATIVE
The creativity to manage and adjust to various levels of change comes when you are able to relax and accept the discomfort, pain and fear. A process that is similar to giving your best effort as an athlete, one that involves being competitive, confident, focused and calm.

Competitive: As an active athlete, the ability to "want" to be in your situation and the eagerness to invest all of your mental, physical and spiritual energy to complete the process and achieve a specific result. As an athlete faced with "change", you must "want it" in spite of the resistance, negative thoughts and/or physical pain. The action required is a complete shift in attitude, one that has you being grateful for, excited about, and devoted to handling the need for change. This shift in attitude will involve competition with an internal opponent. The opponent is your mind. Attachment to ideas that you are the victim of your current situation, or that you should be able to play through the pain, or that you should be able to confront the fear that you will never be active again and/or that you should push through the resistance to reach a performance goal. These ideas represent formidable opponents. To compete with these opponents requires a strong and creative mind.

Confident: As an active athlete, confidence is the mental toughness needed to work at acceptance; relax under pressure, give your best effort and accept the results. As an athlete faced with "change", the challenge is to be patient and calm as you choose the thoughts that produce the belief that you can "handle" your situation. At this point, mental toughness needs to be expressed as feelings of mental security. A new form of maturity that enables you to accept your present level of activity and to choose each moment to be positive as you redefine yourself an athlete.

Focus: As an active athlete, the ability to "be" engaged in your activity and produce the proper state of mind. When you need to be intense you simply "flip the switch" and turn up the intensity and conversely, when you need to relax and be calm you can turn off the switch. In short, you can concentrate on a specific task and summon the strength, quickness and endurance required to get the job done. As an athlete faced with change, you need the same level of control over your attitude, intensity, and concentration to manage your emotions, be patient and work your plan to completion.

Calm: As an active athlete, the calming skills of performance breathing, relaxation and visualization allow you stay present and engaged in the moment, to "stop" any unwanted chatter and give your best effort. The action needed is the ability to be calm and settle into the pain related to pushing your limits in competition without "going negative" and creating additional drama and a possible upset. As an athlete faced with "change", you need to use the same skills to produce the serenity you need to operate at acceptance. This will give you the best chance to produce a positive outcome, one that restores your over-all sense of wellbeing. In essence, the calming skills enable you settle down, stay present and focus on a solution. As the solution comes you regain any lost confidence and you dial back into the energy that allows you to be competitive and UP for the challenge of making the solution real. Caution: If you are unable to generate the calm, the negative emotions and drama can become your focus; if this happens you will quickly be consumed by doubt and fear, and the game is essentially over as the anxiety has won.

Keep it Simple: The "Good News Network" works, it can help you when you need to accept change; it feels good to be supported by it and it feels wonderful to support others in their time of need. The key is to establish the practice of always working to be at acceptance and to actively seek the serenity promised by the serenity prayer. "God, please grant me the serenity to accept that what I cannot change; the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference." This serenity will allow you to learn how to be competitive, confident, focused, and calm as you ACCEPT THE NEED FOR CHANGE and remain FIT FOREVER.

Remarks from two proud members of the "Good News Network"