The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
–Reinhold Niebuhr

What Gymnasts, Parents and Coaches Can’t Change

Gymnasts, parents and coaches can’t change:

• The Past
• The Last Event
• A Fall That Has Already Happened
• The Judges’ Minds
• The Judges’ Scores (other than perhaps .1 to .2 by protest)
• What Level Other Team’s Gymnasts are in
• How Other Team’s Gymnasts Do
• Who is in Meets (except home meets)
• Whether Life is Fair

What Gymnasts Can Change

• Their Personal Goals
• Their Practice Workout Habits
• Their Work Ethic
• Their Attitude
• Their Energy
• Their Enthusiasm
• Their Focus and Concentration
• Their Commitment
• Their Strength Level
• Their Flexibility
• Their Motivation
• Their Drive
• Their Determination
• Their Performance Level

What Parents Can Change

• Which Gym Their Gymnast Goes To (hopefully, the best gym available)
• Their Level of Unconditional Love
• Their Commitment to Getting Their Gymnast to Practice On Time and All the Time
• Their Support of the Gym and the Team
• Their Commitment to Fundraising for a Better Gym and Program
• Their Negative Attitudes
• Their Support Level for Other Team Gymnasts
• Their Level of Knowledge
• Their Attendance Percentage for their Gymnast’s Meets

What Coaches Can Change

Coaches can change:

• To a Positive Attitude
• To an Open Mind
• Their Level of Knowledge about Gymnastics
• Their Level of Knowledge about Sport Psychology
• The Degree and Extent of Their Long-term Planning
• Their Training Program
• Their Work Time Commitment
• Their Work Ethic
• Their Level of Positive Expectancy
• Their Safety Record
• Their Team Goals

Gymnasts, Parents and Coaches Should Change What They Can

Gymnasts, parents and coaches should change what they can and forget the rest. There are so many things that can be done, changed or improved to enhance a gymnast’s performance, experience and career. Time wasted on anxiety, worry or holding on to the past and what cannot be changed is a waste of time.