NOTE:  This post was taken from the www.innertactics.com site.

As coaches we often forget about the 'H' Factor when working with young athetes.  However, it is this exact thing that has a tremendous impact on athletic excellence!  What am I talking about?  Let me first share with you a story...

Does this sound familiar?

A new athlete comes to train with you a few times per week (if you're lucky).  After your initial evaluation session, it is obvious that your new athlete has quite a bit of corrective work to do based on poor faulty movement patterns (FMS). 

However, it is impossible to correct these patterns in just the one or two times per week with you.  Therefore, you provide an individualized program for your new athlete to do on their own the other days of the week they are not training with you.  BUT...

Of course you are not suprised when the new athlete comes back the following week and you ask if he did his 'homework' and the answer was an obvious 'NO'!

Instead of you getting all frustrated at the athlete, you simply let him know that until he develops the discipline and the 'H" factor that he will find it much harder to reach his athletic goals!

The 'H' Factor Revealed

Okay I am sure that by now you know what the 'H' factor is that I am referring to.  If you don't, than it is about the word HABIT.  We are all aware that our clients have both good and bad habits but we rarely challenge our athletes to truly address them and how they affect their own goals.

The 'H' Factor Principle

About two years ago I came across a great statement about habits.  This principle immediately resonated with me and I use it with all of my athletes:

"We first form habits and then habits form us."-  J. Maxwell

Read it again and let it sink in for a few minutes before continuing on with the rest of this article.  In fact, to make it even more meaningful for you, list a few positive and negative habits that you personally have and how these now impact your life!

The 'H' Factor Exercise for Athletes

• List three or four positive habits that you currently have that help you in achivieving your athletic goals.
• Specifically how do each fo thes habits contribute to your athletic success?
• List three or four negative habits that you currently have that prevent  you from achivieving your athletic goals.
• What is it costing you by having these negative habits?
• What would it look like to you if you did not have any of these negative habits?  How would you feel and act differently? 
• What would not having these negative habits allow you to do that you are not doing now?

These are just a few of the self-reflection steps in the 'H' Factor section of the Play With Your Strengths  manual for athletes.  Raising self-awareness with your athletes and their habits will dramatically improve their performance in their sport AND their personal journey in life!  For more information visit www.innertactics.com.