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Motivation And Confidence: More Than Cheerleading, Dr. Paul Olsen

Celebration of Learning

What empowers self-confidence in athletic performance? Most of us know the psychology and language of motivation in positive reinforcement: "way to go"; "good work"; "I believe in you" are some examples. It's a sort of "cheerleading." But confidence goes much deeper into the realm of how the athlete understands the "existential self" in the world. Is he more than a point getter? Is she more than "all-conference" or a "record holder"?

Literature (novels, poetry, essays) often demonstrates that the depth of confidence is found in demonstrative love. If one feels worthy of love, and the love is demonstrated, fear of …