I’ve always felt strongly that the best way to improve at anything is to surround yourself with people who are better than you at whatever it is you’re trying to improve. I’ve found this to be true on the ski hill, in the classroom, and in my own personal development.
This was a big reason I decided to join ISRA this season: to be surrounded by athletes who are one step ahead of me and who have already accomplished what I am trying to accomplish.
I think that having a reference point as a north star towards my goals is both calming and effective. For example, if I am struggling during a training session where the conditions aren’t ideal, I can immediately look to my teammates for guidance on how to handle the situation.
As a bit of a disclaimer, I think it’s important to note that this isn’t blind adherence. I am incredibly strong minded (stubborn), question many things and have been described as independent to a fault. Although I am getting better at asking for help :)
I recently read a quote by James Clear that I think sums up pretty well how I try to learn from others. "If you never copy best practices, you’ll have to repeat all the mistakes yourself. If you only copy best practices, you’ll always be one step behind the leaders."
I have learned from my teammates in many ways already this season on the hill, but also off the hill. I was reflecting on this with my teammate Stef during our last week in Hintertux. We were commenting on how ISRA doesn’t have a crazy competitive team culture.
In ski racing there are limited resources when it comes to training, funds, skis, WC spots etc, which can lead to a ‘me vs. them’ or selfish mentality. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Stef and I have both noticed that a big reason ISRA doesn’t feel like this is because of our teammate Marusa. We joke that she is the mom of the team, but she has also had the most success and on the world cup and is undeniably the most experienced.
Furthermore, she is the most generous with her time, knowledge, and advice. Although I didn’t realize it at first, her generosity and genuine desire to help us all succeed has influenced our entire team culture. She has shown us that helping each other can actually be beneficial for everyone, whether that’s thinking more deeply about technique when you’re explaining it to someone else or simply feeling better for having helped someone. It isn’t a zero-sum game.
So not only do I feel lucky to have a role model who can show me how to be faster on the hill, but I also have a role model who can show me how to be a better teammate and person.
I don’t have any photos from this week as I was mostly traveling, enjoying family time, and organizing and preparing for my fundraiser, but I am back on the slopes next week, so there will be extra photos then!
You Rock Tricia.... Your efforts, your perseverance, your successes and failures make all of US better people....Lead us on!!!!! UD