Reflecting on the BASES SE process
I am just about to start bringing together and writing up what I have done so far in order to complete my 2nd of the BASES SE process and thought this would be a perfect opportunity to reflect on the year and share. The year has had ups and downs like any good rollercoaster and this has been mirrored by my motivation for the experiences and processes I have had and I am going through. The year has made me realise many things about sport psychology, the process of SE and more importantly myself as a practitioner. This year has reinforced my desire to work in the profession but has been, at times, hard work and very time consuming. It has emphasised the need for effective time management and maintaining my life balance between family, work, myself and sport psychology. There have been instances where I wondered if I have done enough or read the right articles and books but towards the end of the year I understand that only so much can be completed whilst keeping everything else in balance. It has made me start to question who I am as a practitioner and develop a philosophy of practice. It has also allowed me to add different tools to my sport psychology tool box and made me self aware of my strengths and what I still have to do to improve.After a recent meeting with my supervisor I appreciate the importance of what he brings to the table in my development and the relationship we have. He was able to give me a new lease of life after a major recent set back and he was able to put into perspective what had gone on and as I left the meeting I felt like I a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. His ability to recognise that and put everything into perspective will be invaluable in my continued development. The meeting also emphasised some of the other things that a practitioner needs that are not always taught in courses at university. These tools include the ability to network which is a skill that is so underestimated and the person skills of the knack to be humble enough to understand yourself and what you bring to the sport psychology table and not ‘big yourself up’ at every opportunity. Also the ability to work hard and have the desire to want to improve and learn new things is essential in working towards becoming accredited in sport psychology just as they are in everyday. Finally, the SE process should be seen as a journey which involves small but meaningful steps to reach the final destination of becoming accredited.
