MINDSET IS KEY

 

Remember that Olympia is not just a place where, it's a people who. 

There are the lessons and then there are the people who live those lessons and teach us how to be a hero of our own story. The lesson that was central to ‘Dave Talk’ back in the day was the clock. Dave used the twelve hours of the clock as a lesson in the journey we are all on. I can still see all the counselors acting out each hour. " Ram 'er into fourth" or "Wherever you are be there." 

The lesson at 3 O’clock was “Mindset is Key” and it’s a lesson that can be seen all over camp by a lot of people, people like Denise Evans. In Denise’s many roles at Olympia she has been a leader and helped a lot of campers and counselors find their why and find their way. It's cool that now, after years of schooling,  she is doing the same thing at a professional level. She must be an amazing resource! Check her out on Facebook at Denise Evans Therapy. She has taken her Olympia lessons to a "Whole Other Level." I love how this lesson is so much a part of the Hero's Journey. 

I turn it over to Denise:




Hello Olympia family. Denise Evans here. Most of you know me as Chub. I was a camper, a counselor, I ran the tuck shop, I was a unit leader and I worked full time as an outdoor education director. Since leaving camp, I've become a mental health therapist. And it's amazing how the things I learned at camp fit in with the work I do today.

 

One of those things is how Dave Grace talks about mindset is key. This is true in sports and in life. Sometimes we have thoughts or beliefs that aren't serving us, and we don't question them or challenge them. I'll give you an example. When I worked at camp, I was in charge of the whole challenge course. That's all the high ropes elements and the climbing tower. And although I was in charge of it, I had a belief that I can't rock climb.

 

I don't know where this belief came from. I thought that maybe I didn't have the right body type for rock climbing. And regardless, any experience I did have on the climbing tower, I found really hard. And I let that reinforce the thought that I can't rock climb. This left me feeling embarrassed since I was in charge of the climbing tower and I avoided rock climbing at all costs. 


Now, many years later, I had a friend ask me to go indoor rock climbing. That same thought popped into my head. I can't rock climb. But since leaving camp, I've learnt a lot about noticing thoughts that maybe aren't serving me and challenging them. So, I went rock climbing and I found it very hard.

 

My body was not used to using the muscles needed to rock climb and my hands got so sore really quickly on the rough rock holds. But instead of using that as evidence to support the thought that I can't rock climb, I challenged that thought and kept going. And now, three years later, I love rock climbing! I go as often as I can. And had you told me when I started that I'd be climbing the things I can climb today; I would not have believed you.

 

So, what thoughts or beliefs do you have that aren’t serving you?

 

Do you believe "I'm not good at math" or maybe "I'm shy?" Or do you have the thought "I'm always making mistakes," or "I can't make friends." Notice those thoughts. Are you going to let your brain find evidence to support them? Or are you going to challenge them and find out what's possible?

 

I love you, Olympia Family,  and remember, mindset is key.

 ( as she points to her head and then mimics the turning of a key)




The link to the blog is TuesdayswithDave.blogspot.com

This blog is about the journey of the writing of the book A Hero's Journey: From Little Norway to Olympia Sports Camp. The blog will contain excerpts from the book and my personal thoughts on what the place and the people that make up Olympia's journey is all about. The title comes from the great book Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom. The blog's title is recognizing Dave Grace as Camp Director, but all content is my own. 

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