My question for you today is simple - Do You Want To Be The Best?

If you answered "Yes", then you have to ask yourself these 3 questions.

Don’t get me wrong - there’s nothing wrong with playing for the “love of the game”.  But that isn’t what this is about.

::  This is about holding yourself to the highest standard.
::  This is about pushing beyond what you even dream is possible.
::  This is about exceeding your own expectations.
::  This is about becoming excellent in everything you do.

So before you run off to do whatever you have planned next for the day, take a few minutes, ask yourself these 3 questions and answer them honestly.

1.  HOW Badly Do You Really Want It?

Whether your BIG goal is to make the Olympic team, play college hockey, make varsity next year or move up to the AA level, ask yourself how badly you really want it.

::  Do you get excited just thinking about it? 
::  Do your eyes light up when you talk about it?
::  Does that goal, and all the passion you have towards achieving it, drive you to be your best each and every day?

2. WHAT Are You Willing To Do To Get It?

Almost every single player I’ve spoken to in the last year (about 3000 girls) says they want to play college hockey and make the National Team. 

But there is a BIG difference between saying and doing.  It’s easy to say that you want these dreams to come true.  It’s a lot harder to actually go out and make them happen.

So ask yourself - are you doing what it takes to be the best? 

::  Are you warming-up before every ice session? 
::  Are you taking the time to work on your mental game? 
::  Are you eating the right kinds of food to fuel your best performance?
::  Are you working on your game when no one else is watching?

Some players want it to happen, some wish it would happen… You need to MAKE it happen by doing all of the "little" things every day.  Be honest with yourself.  Are you really ready to invest the time necessary to become great?

3.  WHY Are You Doing It?

This is BY FAR the most important question of all. 

Is becoming the best your true passion?   Because it’s your passion that drives you.  It’s what keeps you going when times get tough. 

The road to the next level is going to get rocky.  It always does. Because if it were easy to get there, everyone would be there. But not everyone who says they want it is up to the challenge.  If you know exactly why you do what you do on a daily basis to be excellent, and there’s no question in your mind that this is what you were meant to do, and you are willing to buckle down and do the work when others let up, anything is possible. 

Please pass these questions along to anyone that you think is ready to reveal to themselves whether they truly have what it takes to be great. 

Not everyone is going to be ready for these questions.  They aren’t easy to answer.  And that’s why they are so important.
 
Becoming the best takes more time, focus and energy than most people are willing to give. But if you are willing to make that investment, the pay-off will be great.

Choose excellence.  Exceed expectations.  Work Hard & Dream BIG.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

PS - Next week, I will be opening up the next 100 spots in the Total Female Hockey Mentorship Program. The players who just finished the program have learned exactly what they need to do to get to the next level, have taken massive action towards achieving their dream and are on the road to success.

I don’t want you to miss out on your opportunity to kick-start 2010 and take a huge step closer to your dreams - so keep your eyes peeled for that big announcement.
 

PPS - Attention All Coaches - I?ve created a special mentorship program to specifically address the needs of you and your team so that you can have your best season ever.  More details to come soon - but I promise that you, and your team, have never been part of something like this before. 

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes
 

Like many people, I’ve set myself some lofty goals for the coming year. But before I ever think about where I want to get to, I stop to think about where I’ve come from.

Looking forward and setting goals for yourself is critical, but it’s reflecting back on what you’ve achieved that gives you the confidence you need to go after your BIG goals.

It took me a long time to learn this.  I used to think the grass was always greener on the other side, that what I’ve done so far is nothing compared to what I will achieve in the future, and that celebrating all that I’ve achieved on and off the ice is kind of selfish and dorky.

But now I know that isn’t true.  That without the successes of the past year, I would never have the opportunity to dream of all that I want to achieve in 2010 and beyond.

That’s why I wanted to share with you the “Top 8 Moments of 2009” for me and Total Female Hockey, because without YOU, none of this would have ever been possible.   Thank you for making this such an amazing year and I can’t wait to  help you move closer to your dreams in 2010.

#8 - Tournament & Tryout Travel:

One of my favorite things to do is to speak to players, parents and coaches about what it takes to get to the next level on and off the ice.  This past year I was able to speak to over 2000 players at over 20 different tournaments and tryout camps all across North America.   To be able to share my experience and expertise with the female hockey world is truly an honor and I look forward to doing even more of it in 2010. 

#7 - PEAC Private School Program:

This one really came out of nowhere but it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.  If one year ago you told me that I would be the Girls’ Hockey Director at a private school for elite athletes in Toronto, I would have told you you were crazy.  But after meeting some great parents, kids and administrators, somehow this became reality.  And I am so glad that it did.   Now I get to coach a group of girls, who share the same passion and commitment I had to becoming the best, every single day on and off the ice.  We’ve already come so far since the school year began - we even beat a team with 2 national team players and 4 provincial players when we only had 10 skaters just before the holiday break.  I am truly honored to be able to work with these amazing players every day.  I can’t wait to grow the program and take our game to the next level in 2010.

#6 - Quote of the Year:

This actually happened just a few days ago at a huge girls’ hockey tournament here in Toronto.  I was sitting with the mom of one of the players I train in the summer after the game and she said that her daughter was upset because she just broke a brand-new $300 stick.  I jokingly said that I would gladly lend her one of my wood sticks if she needed it.  I said to the mom, “Which way does your daughter shoot?”  And her response was classic, “I don’t know - at the net!”

Funny stuff.  It was one of those classic moments away from the stress of the game  that I will never forget.

#5 - The Total Female Hockey Experience:

Back in April of 2009, I decided that I was going to run my first ever hockey camp with Total Female Hockey.  But this wasn’t going to be your typical camp.  It was going to be for high school aged players who aspire to play at the college/university level and beyond.  We were going to give the girls all the information and inspiration they needed off the ice and all the experience and opportunity they needed on the ice, to allow them to get to the next level. 

Only 4 short months later, we had 70 players come to Toronto, from all over North America, to join us at the Experience.  And it was absolutely awesome!  Everything from the state-of-the-art on-ice testing “lasers”, to 3-time Olympian Sami Jo Small’s speech about following your dreams, to the on-ice sessions with former Team USA player and NCAA coach Brooke Whitney, to the off-ice speed and strength training sessions with me, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  Most importantly, the players had a great time and they learned a lot.  I can’t wait for this year’s camp(s)!!!

The registration details are coming soon - the Toronto camp will be on from August 20-22 and there might just be another camp out west earlier in the summer.

In the meantime, you can check out footage from last year’s camp here:

http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/

#4 - Watching Them Play:

One of my favorite things to do is to watch the girls I’ve trained off the ice - either in person or those who have used my manuals and DVDs - play in games.  Knowing how hard they have pushed themselves off the ice, and seeing that translate into their on-ice performance is really awesome.  They feel stronger, faster, fitter and more confident out there and it really shows.

#3 - The First Chin-Up:

Along the same lines of #4, I love it when I get to see one of the players I train do their first chin-up.  I even tell girls who are using my training program on their own to email me when they do their first chin-up.   This is no easy task.  Most girls and women will never do one - but they aren’t exactly training for it.  Do you need to be able to do 20 chin-ups to be an elite female hockey player?  Not exactly.  But I guarantee that you could be a lot stronger than you are now and that’s only going to make you a better player.  When it comes to chin-ups, you’ve got to start with one. It takes the players I train average of 9 weeks to do their first chin-up - but it’s worth it.

#2 - The Olympic Torch:

Just a few weeks ago, I took 8 of the players I coach into downtown Toronto to watch the Olympic torch relay.  I’ve been fortunate to see two other torch relays in person (for Calgary in 1988 and for Salt Lake City in 2002) and words can hardly describe the inspiration and motivation that is ignited inside of you after seeing the flame in person.  I was so excited to be able to share this experience with the players I coach as many of them aspire to represent their country at the Olympics in the future. As I stood out there watching the torch go by, I thought back to when I was a player with those same dreams, working hard each and every day to move closer to that BIG goal.  That kind of fire and passion never goes out.

#1 - Your Feedback:

But nothing means more to me as a coach and a mentor than hearing back from YOU, the members of the Total Female Hockey community, about how the websites, videos, newsletters, products, camps and workshops have helped you become the best you can be.

I have always said from the beginning of this whole journey with Total Female Hockey, that if I can help just one player gain the confidence, knowledge and ability she needs to fulfill her dreams on and off the ice, it will all be worth it. 

That’s why hearing back from you means so much.

Here are just a few comments I received recently from the members of the first-ever Total Female Hockey 12-Week Mentorship Program (the second session starts soon - so stay tuned):

“I don’t know what you said in your videos, but my daughter now believes, without a shadow of a doubt, that she can achieve all her biggest hockey dreams.  You have completely transformed how she approaches the game on and off the ice.  Thank you!”

“Thanks so much for what you do.  Our daughter wants to get to the NCAA and national level.  We are grateful that someone like you is helping girls to navigate this daunting and competitive life choice.  After this program, I know she’ll be well on her way to getting to the next level.”

“Thanks Coach Kim.  Since starting this program, people have been telling me how much faster and stronger I look out on the ice.  I’ve been setting my goals and eating well too.  But the best thing is that for the first time ever, I know that I am doing the right things to help me reach my dreams.”

I hope you take some time today to reflect back on everything you’ve accomplished in 2009 and use that confidence to catapult you into 2010.

Thanks again for helping me to work hard and dream big.

Your friend and coach,

~ Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season so far.  I toyed with the idea of leaving town and going somewhere warm, but I am so glad I didn’t.  If I had, I would have missed out on all the time I spent with my family and close friends, all my relaxing “me” time, and all the great hockey I’ve watched.  That’s right - I spent some of my “time-off” in the rinks watching girls’ hockey.

There is honestly nothing better than watching the kids I’ve worked with for months (and in some cases, years) compete and excel.  Instead of having the stress of being behind the bench, I’ve been able to sit in the stands and just watch.    

I am really looking forward to getting back on the ice with my teams next week, making the push for the playoff run, and generally having
an amazing start to 2010.   So to help you have a great start to the new year and new decade, I wanted to pass along my “Top 3 Tips for 2010”.  I wanted to get “outside the box” on this, so instead of lecturing you about setting goals, training hard and eating well etc…

… I wanted to share 3 of my favorite motivational quotes with you.

Hopefully they give you a little bit of inspiration going into the second half of the season and the new year.

1)  “Most people fail in life not because they aim to high and miss. Most people fail in life because they aim too low and hit.”

Like most people, I’ve set myself some big goals for 2010.  But onceI wrote those goals down, I reminded myself to dream BIGGER.  Instead of worrying about “how” they are going to happen, I’m strictly focusing on believing they will happen for now.  The “how” will take of itself. 

So whatever your goals are for 2010, I want you to dramatically increase them, start believing in them and expect success.

2)  “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

As I’ve said time and time again, the “little” things that are going to separate you from the competition and get you to the next level, aren’t “sexy”.   No one gets excited about drinking more water, doing more push-ups or reviewing your goals. But remember why you do all these “little”  things.

::  You don’t do push-ups to get stronger.  You do them so that you can make varsity next year.

::  You don’t review your goals because it’s fun.  You do it because it keeps you on track to getting that college hockey scholarship you’ve dreamed about.

::  You don’t drink more water just to stay hydrated.  You take care of yourself because that’s what champions do.

I can guarantee you that none of the girls who were recently named to the US and Canadian Olympic teams made it because of any one of these “little” things.  They made it because they’ve made the choice to commit to doing ALL of these “little” things each and every day for years. 

3)  “To have what you’ve never had, do what you’ve never done.”

I have this quote sitting right on my desk and I look at it everyday.  It pushes me to get outside of my comfort zone, take action and risk the chance of failure. 

Let’s be honest.  If you want to be like everyone else, just do what everyone else does.  But most people aren’t going to achieve their full potential because most people are far too comfortable with their current level of success.

But I know that you want to be better than average.  You want to be the best you can be.

And that’s why I know you will make the choice to do whatever it takes to take your game to the next level in 2010.  Even if that means getting outside of your comfort zone and pushing yourself harder than you ever thought possible.  That’s how you will achieve the next level of success on and off the ice.

I hope you enjoyed these quotes and that they give you some of the inspiration you need to make 2010 the best year ever.

Please feel free to pass these along to any of your friends, family, or teammates that would also enjoy the information.

And stay tuned because I’ve got some great new programs, events and camps coming your way in the new year that I know will dramatically transform your performance and have your peaking in time for playoffs, year-end tournaments and even next year’s tryouts.  More on that on Thursday.

Keep Working Hard and Dreaming BIG.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

?Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

Here’s what determines the level of success a girls’ hockey player achieves:

It’s NOT…

::  The team you play for
::  The camps you go to
::  Or the coaches you listen to

And it’s NOT…

::  How hard you shoot
::  How fast you skate
::  How fit you are

What truly separates good players from the great ones is the mental side of their game.     

I’ve talked a lot about confidence and focus in the past, but today I want to talk about something even bigger than that…

Your EXPECTATIONS.

A great player doesn’t wish, hope, want or strive for success.

She EXPECTS it.

She 100% believes in her ability to successfully achieve her goals.

This doesn’t happen overnight - it is a process. Success breeds success.  And it’s the accumulation of small victories over time in practice, in the gym and in games that lead to bigger victories and help you to believe that you can achieve any goal you set your mind to.

When I think back to my final year of high school, I realize that I expected to be the best player every time I hit the ice.  Whether I always succeeded in being the best player or not, I expected that I would be and that’s what drove my success.  I didn’t just want to be the best - I expected it.

So what are your expectations for yourself when you hit the ice?

Are you holding yourself to a high enough standard?

Or are you letting yourself off the hook? 

Are you stepping outside your comfort zone?

Or are just playing up to your potential? 

Are you consistently making the hard choice to be great?

Or are you making the easy choice and just going along with the crowd?

As we head into the second half of the season, a new year and new decade, you need to start setting higher expectations for yourself and holding yourself accountable to meeting and exceeding your goals. 

You’ll be amazed at what can happen when you believe in your ability to achieve all the success you’ve dreamed of.

Work Hard, Dream BIG and Expect Success.

~ Coach Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey

Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

Tonight, I am bringing my players from the PEAC School into downtown Toronto to watch the Olympic torch relay.  I’ve been fortunate to see two other torch relays in person (for Calgary ’88 and for Salt Lake City ’02) and words can hardly describe the inspiration and motivation that is ignited inside of you after seeing the flame in person.  I am so excited to be able to share this experience with the players I coach as many of them aspire to represent their country at the Olympics in the future.  And I know when I am standing out watching the torch go by later today, that I will start to think back to when I was a player with those same dreams, working hard each and every day to move closer to that BIG goal. 

Even though I never had the chance to represent my country at the Games, I know exactly how much it takes to get there.  I remember the days where you feel like you can barely move,your brain won’t work and you feel like you are skating through mud.  You don’t think you can give anything else - but somehow, you find a way to push through because of your unwavering desire to succeed.

Before the glory of pulling on your country’s jersey or standing on the podium during the medal ceremony, there are years upon years of hard work and hard choices.  And it’s the people who support you along the way that make the tough road ahead tolerable. 

I wanted to take a moment and recognize a few of the people who’ve helped me along the way as a player and coach.  The people who have “passed the torch” to me and helped me believe that I could do anything I dreamed of. 

1.  My Junior Coach:   He was the first one to ever “bench” me.  I know that sounds strange as someone to “thank”, but he was the one who taught me to be a class act on and off the ice and to realize that family and academics always come before hockey.  He embodied the two qualities I always stress to my players: respect and responsibility.  If I can become half the coach and person that he was, I will consider my career to be a success. 

2.  My Players:   Whether I’ve trained them on or off the ice, it is working with players who share the same passion and desire I had to be the best as a young player that makes my job as a coach, mentor, and motivator easy.  Each and every player I meet (and I meet a lot) makes an impression and I thank you for continuing to inspire me to do what I love.

3. My Dad:  My entire family supported me throughout my entire playing career by putting up with my stubbornness about things like never missing practice for any reason, playing through ridiculous amounts of pain - and having to put up with me when I was crabby as a result, and setting an example for me each and every day about the importance of hard work, creating your own reality and pushing yourself to be the best.   But my dad is really the rock behind it all.  He never yelled at me from the stands, never told me what to do in the car and never pushed me to go practice more.  I didn’t need anyone there to motivate me - but I needed him there to help me keep it all together. 

From back when I was doing everything I could to get a hockey scholarship and was practically pulling my hair out trying to figure out which school was right for me…

To when I had food poisoning and was hospitalized the day I had to play for the NCAA championships…

To after I had my back surgery and I could barely get out of the car, couldn’t feel my leg and had to take lots of painkillers just to put my skates on…

To everything he does to this very day supporting me with everything I do with Total Female Hockey…

My dad is, and will always be, my biggest cheerleader.

I am so fortunate to have people in my life that have allowed me to become the person I was meant to be and I hope you do too.  So please take a moment over this holiday season to think about and thank all the people who have passed the torch to you on your journey to becoming the best person you can be. 

Keep Working Hard and Dreaming BIG,

~ Coach Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey

Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

Attention Girls Hockey Players, Parents and Coaches,

Take a minute and watch this awesome video - I promise it will make you think and get you fired up at the same time.

 As a girls hockey coach, I can forgive a lack of skill, but I can’t forgive a lack of effort.

The best players on your team, in your state, in your province, in the country and in the world didn’t just wake up one day being that good.  They put a heck of a lot of effort behind getting to the level they are at today.

And if you want to be that kind of player, you can’t have any excuses "why not".

Instead, you need to have a lot of reasons "why".

::  Why do you get up early to train before most people even think of getting out of bed?

::  Why do you go out on the rink by yourself for hours and hours working on your skills?

::  Why do you to eat well, rest more, and party less?

What’s the reason "WHY" you choose to do everything you do to get to the next level?

It’s your reason "WHY" that will drive you when the road gets rough.  It’s also what’s going to keep you from making excuses.

Work Hard. Dream BIG.

No Excuses.

Your friend and coach,

~ Coach Kim

This past weekend I was running workshops at the Winter Games tryouts in Toronto and I came up with a brand-new term for players who SAY they want to get to the next level but don’t DO what it takes to get there.

But before I get into the details…one quick announcement.

I was made aware on Saturday morning that the Friday at 6PM EST deadline for joining the Total Female Hockey Mentorship Program was not realistic for many people’s schedules.

There were quite a few tournaments and big tryouts happening here in Ontario, and I’m sure you were busy with hockey this weekend too.

So I decided to keep the website up long enough for you to have a true chance to join the Mentorship Program.

You now have until 9PM EST tonight to join… then the doors will be closed until 2010.

Click on the link below to join The Mentorship Program
http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/mentorship.shtml

Now back to the…

==>  Random Acts Of Excellence

That’s the term I came up with to describe most of the players I meet when I am doing workshops at different tournaments, camps and tryouts.

They are really motivated and excited to do whatever it takes to stand out at the tryout or tournament.  They ask me what
they should eat, what training they should do, how they should prepare mentally etc.

But as soon as the “big event” is done, they go back to doing whatever it takes to get by.  They fall into the pattern of just doing enough to perform well instead of pushing themselves to be great.

They commit…Random Acts Of Excellence.

And that’s what prevents them from really getting to the next level.

You can’t just decide that you want to work hard, get focused and do all the “little” things you need to do off the ice to perform your best when there is a big event coming up.

Because excellence is not a “sometimes” thing….

… It’s an “all the time” thing.

It’s easy to get excited, motivated and determined to work harder, dream bigger and take action when a big opportunity is in front of you.

It’s A LOT harder to be dedicated, passionate and committed when you are heading off to another weekday practice after
a long day of school and a long night of homework ahead.

Great players choose excellence all the time.

=> They warm-up before every game - and practice.

=> They train off the ice - when no one else is making them but themselves.

=> They drink enough water and eat well - without being reminded constantly.

=> They set goals - and hold themselves accountable to meeting them.

They don’t just “turn it up” when there is a big prize on the horizon.

They “turn it up” all the time.

Because that’s what it really takes to realize your dreams on the ice.

A constant and CONSISTENT commitment to being your best each and every day.

So don’t just commit random acts of excellence….

Take action each and every day towards your dreams.

Work Hard, Dream Big and Take Action.

~ Coach Kim

PS - If you want me to help you make sure you get on, and stay on, track towards meeting your goals and realizing your dreams by giving you the information, inspiration and support you need to get there, you’ve got until 9PM tonight to join the mentorship program:

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/mentorship.shtml

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

Yesterday I sent an email out to about 800 members of the Total Female Hockey community and asked them what was the #1 piece of information or advice I could give them to help them have the most successful season ever. Most of the questions were about getting noticed, getting faster, eating better and staying focused and confident. All great questions - that all boil down to one BIG question, “What Can I Do To Get Ahead?”

The best piece of advice I can give girls hockey players who want to reach the next level is very basic, but it is what separates good-from-great and will help you reach all your dreams on and off the ice.

=> Make the choice to never be outworked. Period.

I can tell you how to shoot a better slap-shot, make better nutrition choices and build confidence, but if you aren’t willing to outwork everyone else, there is going to be a limit to how far you can go.

I’ll be honest with you. The reason I got to play women’s college hockey at an Ivy League school (which was one of my BIG dreams), tryout for Team Canada and play in the best women’s leagues in the world had very little to do with my skill level.

It had everything to do with my willingness to outwork the competition.

Whether in the weight room, in practice or in the classroom, I made a choice to do everything I possibly could to be the best athlete, student and player I could be.

I made the choice to never be outworked.

I did everything I could to make sure that when opportunity knocked, I would be ready to respond.

I never had to worry about “getting ready”…. I “stayed ready”.

Every day, I did everything I could to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition on the ice and in the classroom.

I put myself in the position to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way.

Your BIG opportunity to realize your BIG dream could be years away or it could be right around the corner.

And if you are ready to do the work,
you’ll be ready to shine.

Work Hard. Dream BIG.

~ Coach Kim

I’m seeing a disturbing pattern emerge with many of the girls hockey players I am working with this season - and the season hasn’t even started yet. Whether during practices, games or off-ice training, every single day I hear players saying the most dangerous word in girls hockey over and over again…CAN’T.

“I can’t crossover that way”.

“I can’t shoot a backhand”.

“I can’t do push-ups”.

It’s not that they can’t do the skills at all - they just can’t do them as well as they would like to be able to yet.

And every time I hear them use the word “Can’t”, I want them to add that powerful word afterwards…”YET”.

I can’t do push-ups….YET.

I can’t shoot a backhand…YET.

I can’t do crossovers that way…YET.

Lack of confidence is by far the biggest problem among girls hockey players.

And I simply will not allow the players I work with to dis-empower themselves by using this negative language.

Ideally, they wouldn’t use the word “can’t” at all. But I know, having been a young female hockey player myself, that the journey towards positive thinking and speaking can be a long one.

So I am starting off small.

For right now, all my players will add a “yet” onto every “can’t” statement I hear them say.

It’s a little step in the right direction, but it will make a HUGE difference in the long run.

If you are a girls hockey coach or parent, please try this strategy out with your players and let me know how it works.

Remember - it’s our small actions that lead us to our BIG DREAMS.

So Keep Working Hard, Dreaming BIG and Stay Positive.

Your friend and coach,

~ Kim

The difference between talent and skill in girls hockey is one of the most misunderstood concepts for someone who is trying to take their game to the next level. This is something I am going to address with the players coming to the Total Female Hockey Experience Camp that starts here in Toronto tomorrow, and I wanted to share this idea with you.
(more…)