Motivational sticky note?

[Dee EffEll]

I have seen some fencers write notes to themselves on gloves or in the inside of their mask bibs to remind them of...something. Some have one word, like "breathe" on the sleeve of their glove to remind them to...well...breathe, I guess.

Anybody here do that? What word or phrase do you use?

[wflaschka]

I've seen "Tunnel Vision" written on the tongue of a mask.

For a while in college, I had "Fixate" written on my shoes. I guess because I look down when I'm frustrated.

[thyme_daniels]

i once painted "focus" on my handle with nail polish when i was 10, back when i was a foilist. i had a snazzy red handle, and i wrote it in swirly yellow capitals, and then covered it with glitter...it was interesting. then another kid at my club made fun of it, so i attacked it with acetone that night, feeling ashamed. i haven't written anything on my equipment since then, but i could see how people could want little reminders.
if i were to paint or write anything on my stuff in the future, i would probably make it less, er, ornate, than how i had it back in 5th grade.

[wflaschka]

Just remembered some more:

At one point, I had, "God, he was good!" written on the edge of the sole of my shoe. It was supposed to remind me that, all too soon, I would be looking back on my happy, energetic youth, and that I should make the most of it. Interestingly, more than a few girls thought it had been written by prior girlfriends. I'm thinkin' you have to want to believe something like that.

I also had "Sleeping Giant" stenciled on something. I forget what... but a college friend recently reminded me of the phrase. He was pointing out how pompous I was. It was supposed to imply untapped depths.

I guess this means I was a firm beliver in the power of totems, or at least in personalization. I've fallen out of the habit.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

i need to put "CALM THE F DOWN" somewhere.

[Mo]

Originally posted by MyrddinsPrecint
i need to put "CALM THE F DOWN" somewhere.

You could always request that saying on one of the Mike Eskin Signature Series (TM) Knee high socks.
What colors would be good??

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally posted by Mo
You could always request that saying on one of the Mike Eskin Signature Series (TM) Knee high socks.
What colors would be good??

but of course, white with the traditional maroon umass stripes!

and little maroon thongs on the rest of the sock.... they wouldn't be MESS (tm) socks withought those!

[Peach]

My daughter's fencing glove used to say "SPACE GOAT" on it. The only motivational message on any of my equipment is my last name in capital letters written in Sharpie marker on everything, to motivate me not to lose it.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by MyrddinsPrecint
but of course, white with the traditional maroon umass stripes!
and little maroon thongs on the rest of the sock.... they wouldn't be MESS (tm) socks withought those!

Ahem...MP is jumping the gun here. The R & D department at the MESS (tm) World HQ is currently developing an application of "Magic Eye" technology to be applied to the surface decoration on many of the fine MIke Eskin Signature Series (tm) products.

The small maroon thong appliques will be arranged in a micro pattern which, when viewed thru the mesh of an opponent's fencing mask, will spell out subliminal messages such as:

"You must drag your tip on the floor."
"Counter-Attack! Counter-Attack!"
"The referee is laughing at you"
"Look out behind you!"
"Mike Eskin is oh-so-dreamy!"

This advantageous technology is expected to be available in time for the 2005 World Championships.

[Dragonfly]

I don't have any written down, but it sounds like a good idea; I remember we used to download motivational phrases at work and e-mail them around the office and use with our clients; though I was a sceptic at one time, I believe they work. Okay, my school used the Torch and Shamrock.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Best sticky note for beginning fencers begiining a competition:

DON'T LOOK AT THE BOX!

[JEC]

That needs to be taped at the side of the box inside the mask. Blinders just like horses.

[Inquartata]

Or mules, maybe...

[Chobes]

i've actually developed a "mental" sticky note for myself. during bouts after the director calls halt i listen for what he or she says then i take a moment and collect all my thoughts, remember what i am suppose to remember and think about what i just did and why i didn't get the touch. i don't write anything on my equipment except for " ARG " which are my initials *grin*

But, just remembering everything in your head works pretty efficiently. it helps you gather yourself after each round and collect your thoughts so your relaxed and ready to poke your opponent again. It has definately helped for me.

~Chobes~