This Legacy Post is by Dr. Scotta Morton, the Director of Mental Performance at the University of Missouri. I was fortunate to glean from Dr. Morton at a Positive Coaching Workshop in Missouri. She and her work really inspired me. We are so lucky to have her share with us on She Plays.
*Legacy Posts are from girls who have been there, played hard, and learned an awful lot along the way.
In team mental performance meetings, we spend a considerable amount of time discussing our values in action after completing a survey revealing our top five individual strengths.
Directions to complete survey:
- Go to http://www.viacharacter.org/www/
- Click on “Take the free VIA Survey”.
- Create a login and password for this website.
- After you have created an account, complete the VIA Adult Survey or Youth Survey (roughly 15 minutes to complete).
- Print out free report.
What are your top 5 signature strengths? Do they fit you? How do they capture you at your best?
Why focus on strengths and values? How do they help performance?
When we lead with our values and character strengths, we not only enter the stage with more confidence and conviction, but we set up multiple opportunities to define ourselves throughout the ups and downs of a long season.
Adversity is a great test for our mental and emotional strength. After a loss or unfavorable outcome, after a grueling workout, after a conflict with a teammate/coach, or after making a mistake, we can choose to operate from our shadow selves (who we are when we feel threatened or diminished)… OR we can choose to align our actions with what matters most. In every situation, there is an opportunity to grow more or less (insert individual strengths here). These choices are always within our control and responding courageously demonstrates our commitment to building our biggest and boldest best selves.
“Adversity is a great test for our mental and emotional strength.”
When we are pursuing our best, there is no rest! Affirming our values and strengths helps reinforce a growth mindset that embraces challenges and encourages risk-taking. Our identity is never threatened because our core values and strengths will always be intact!
How will you act on your values/strengths during moments of test? How do you want to do you in challenging moments?
Mizzou Student-Athletes bonding and building relationships
Not only can this exercise be powerful for personal growth but also for building team cohesion. We often discuss strengths and values as a team to affirm all roles and the desired culture. Share specific examples of how each teammate has shown up with their signature strengths to contribute to the team’s mission/vision.
How might you personally maximize your strengths to support team’s mission?
Dr. Scotta Morton
Director Mental Performance, University of Missouri
Dr. Scotta Morton works with the women’s basketball, softball and volleyball teams at the University of Missouri. As the Director of Mental Performance she also leads coaches, athletes and other mental performance coaches through comprehensive and integrated sports psychology programs and activities. Dr. Morton has received multiple honors for her coaching and is a former decorated athlete herself.
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