Willpower and Stoic Acceptance in the Journey of a High School Wrestler
The path to excellence is paved with the juggling of choices. High school wrestlers face the formidable task of juggling academic commitments, social pressures, and rigorous training regimens. Amidst this whirlwind, the allure of instant gratification can be irresistible. This is where the concepts of willpower and Stoic acceptance come into play, providing a powerful toolkit for wrestlers seeking to align their choices with their aspirations.
Indeed, this toolkit can serve as a North Star for wrestlers. One that lights a path to distinguish between feeling good now and feeling good later. Willpower is the obvious way to start down this path. Yet, it’s the Stoic tenets that offer the profound wisdom wrestlers need to continue as they acknowledge impulses while refusing to be their captive.
The Willpower Advantage: Resisting Immediate Temptations
At its core, willpower is the art of saying “no” to short-term indulgence for the sake of long-term gain. For a high school wrestler, this might mean choosing a well-balanced meal over fast food, prioritizing sleep over late-night distractions, or dedicating time to focused training instead of succumbing to procrastination.
These choices are not easy for teenagers surrounded by temptation. Furthermore, willpower is not something teens just naturally develop. On the contrary, willpower is a skill that requires nurturing and honing. Just like all other skills, it’s something wrestlers must invest in developing. To cultivate the art of willpower, high school wrestlers can embark on a journey of gradual strengthening their mind.
For example, wrestlers can consider the following:
- Incremental Challenges: Start with small feats of self-control. It could be as simple as resisting the urge to reach for your phone during study sessions or opting for a healthy snack instead of sugary treats. As you conquer these modest battles, you’re building the foundation for greater feats of using your mind to defeat temptation.
- Mindful Self-Awareness: Developing willpower requires being in tune with your impulses. Regularly practice mindfulness – observe your thoughts and desires without immediate action. This pause grants you the power to choose how you respond, reinforcing your self-discipline.
- Consistent Routines: Establish routines that align with your long-term goals. Consistency breeds habit, and habit trumps momentary whims. Craft a study routine, a training regimen, and a year-round diet that echoes your aspirations. Over time, these patterns solidify your willpower muscles.
Just as a wrestler’s skills on the mat aren’t built overnight, neither is the strength of will. With each resisted temptation and each step towards delayed gratification, the skill of willpower takes root, evolving one towards self-mastery.
Stoic Acceptance: Building Mental Resilience
Stoicism, an ancient philosophy with modern practicality, offers numerous valuable insights for young wrestlers. In particular, the Stoic concept of “willing acceptance” or “Amor Fati.” This refers to the idea of embracing and accepting whatever happens in life, whether it is favorable or unfavorable, with composure and a sense of tranquility. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of not being disturbed by external events that are beyond one’s control. Instead of trying to exert control over external circumstances, Stoics focus on cultivating an inner state of mind characterized by controlling their judgments and acting with virtue.
When a wrestler embraces the idea of Stoic acceptance, they begin to view challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. Without doubt, the journey of a high school wrestler is filled with setbacks, injuries, temptations, and the intense pressure of competition. By embracing a Stoic mindset, wrestlers learn to control their reactions, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and persevere through adversity.
With this in mind, stoicism offers a set of exercises that can help young wrestlers build this type of mental resilience:
1. Negative Visualization:
Encourage wrestlers to visualize worst-case scenarios. This practice may seem counterintuitive, but it prepares them mentally for challenges and helps them appreciate the present moment.
This exercise is not about dwelling on negativity but rather about wielding the worst-case scenarios as a motivational tool. When wrestlers visualize the worst-case scenarios, they are flipping the narrative. Instead of succumbing to the allure of instant gratification – which may compromise their training and preparation – they use these scenarios to reinforce their resolve.
For instance, imagine a wrestler facing the temptation of skipping a rigorous training session in favor of relaxation. By engaging in negative visualization, they can foresee a future where skipping workouts leads to reduced performance, missed opportunities, and a compromised chance of achieving their long-term goals. This mental exercise transforms the immediate comfort of skipping a workout into a stark reminder of what’s at stake.
In this way, negative visualization becomes a compass guiding young wrestlers toward the path of disciplined choices. It redirects their focus from the fleeting pleasure of the present to the satisfaction of pursuing their future ambitions.
Finally, as young wrestlers visualize the worst-case scenarios, they must remember that this exercise isn’t about fearing the future, but rather about leveraging it to empower their choices in the present. By facing these scenarios head-on, they cultivate the mental strength required to overcome temptations, prioritize their future aspirations, and march steadfastly toward their goals on the wrestling mat and beyond.
2. The Dichotomy of Control:
Coach wrestlers to differentiate between what they can control and what they can’t. By directing their efforts and focus on the controllable aspects, such as effort, attitude, and preparation, they can maintain a sense of empowerment.
Imagine a high school wrestler gearing up for a home dual meet. There are numerous variables at play – the quality of their opponent, family or friends in the crowd, and even the referee’s decisions. These factors, often beyond an athlete’s influence, can generate stress and anxiety. The dichotomy of control steps in as a beacon of clarity. Urge wrestlers to channel their efforts by focusing primarily on the aspects they can control: their own strategy, attitude, and effort on the mat.
This philosophy doesn’t imply passivity or indifference; rather, it emphasizes where wrestlers can exert their agency. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the unpredictability of external factors, they concentrate their energy on mastering their techniques, staying disciplined in training, and adopting a positive mindset. By relinquishing fixation on the uncontrollable, wrestlers attain a sense of liberation and can approach challenges with a composed demeanor.
3. Journaling:
Encourage wrestlers to keep a journal where they reflect on their experiences, challenges, and successes. This practice promotes self-awareness and helps them process their emotions in a constructive way.
For a practical approach to journaling, wrestlers can establish a routine after each practice or match. All it takes is a few minutes jotting down what happened. They can start by recording the challenges they faced, the strategies they employed, and the emotions they felt. Then, after the wrestler establishes a consistent routine, they can go deeper by exploring what they learned from the experience and how they intend to apply these lessons moving forward.
4. Mindful Breathing:
Incorporate deep breathing techniques into training. Train wrestlers to focus on their breath, grounding them in the present moment. This practice helps them manage stress and maintain composure under pressure.
Picture a scenario where a wrestler is gearing up to face a nationally ranked wrestler in the blood-round at Super 32. Anxiety might surge, and the temptation to succumb to pressure or make impulsive decisions could be strong. Here’s where mindful breathing becomes a valuable ally. Wrestlers are encouraged to find a quiet space, stand or sit comfortably, and begin focusing their attention on their breath. Inhale deeply through the nose, allowing the air to fill their lungs, and exhale slowly through pursed lips. The key is to fully immerse themselves in the rhythm of each breath, bringing their awareness back whenever their mind starts to wander.
The connection to defeating anxiety in this case lies in the intentional pause that mindful breathing provides. Instead of acting on impulse or seeking immediate distractions, wrestlers create a space for reflection and conscious decision-making. In moments of high stress or pressure, they can utilize mindful breathing as a tool to respond rather than react, fostering a sense of discipline and self-control.
The Balance: Exerting Control and Letting Go
The synergy between willpower and Stoic acceptance lies in the balance between control and surrender. Willpower empowers wrestlers to control their choices, actions, and judgements. This counterintuitively aligns with Stoicism’s emphasis on acknowledging the limits of personal control. By exercising willpower to control judgments and actions in the present moment while embracing Stoic acceptance when external factors prevail, wrestlers can find equilibrium in their journey.
Wrestlers use willpower to exert control over their daily decisions, training regimens, and lifestyle choices. Stoicism complements this by guiding wrestlers to accept factors beyond their control, such as the pain of discipline, coaches, teammates, parents, opponents, and fate. This balance is exactly what wrestlers need to make good choices while embracing the unpredictability of their sport.