Fox Smoulder #1013

I have this horrible habit of never being able to take a compliment. Ever. If complimented I will either brush it off completely as pure lunacy or become suspicious of the compliments intentions. 

For example, if someone was to say “Hey Fox, nice hit out there”. I would think “Meh I guess it was okay but I could have done x,y,z better” or “Why is that person watching me - are they judging me? Do they think I deserve my spot on the Travel Team?”. 

Needless to say it’s a pretty awful thing to do to yourself. 

Over the last two practices I have received compliments from two players I really respect. So obviously I immediately brushed them off. But then I started to panic - if they think I am doing good then I must continue to do good all the time or they will be disappointed. The next time I make a mistake they will be watching and they will take back those compliments!! THE HORROR. 

What I really need to tell myself is this: “Fox, people are so wrapped up in their own stuff that they aren’t watching you all the time. If someone says something nice they probably mean it. And hey, you have been working really hard lately so maybe give yourself a break and look back on your accomplishments.”

Most of the pressure we have as skaters we put on ourselves. We will never be able to grow or improve if we are constantly scared of making mistakes or screwing up. 

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail Better.” - And then eventually you will get it and you can move on to learning the next amazing thing.