Novak's resurgence - Trust the Process

Novak Djokovic dominated the ATP circuit with his phenomenal stint between mid-2014 and end-2016. He won every major starting with Australian Open 2015 till French Open 2016, i.e., six consecutive titles (except the loss in the finals at French open 2015 to Rafa). 

Then came the drop, he lost in 10 majors, and after 122 weeks at ATP number 1, his ranking dropped to 21.

Novak won Wimbledon 2018. The story between French Open 2016 and Wimbledon 2018, is of recovery. Not a one-off win, but a steady recovery process. Novak is ending 2018 as world number 1. 

There have been few comments made by ex-coaches, friends, and Novak himself on the recovery, marriage, parenthood, mental strength, elbow surgery and walking the mountains. Maybe someday he would write a book, and we would know how it happened. 

After his Wimbledon 2018 victory, Novak talked about “trust the process” and how it helped him come back from injury & self-doubt. The learning is recovery not an act of brilliance, its more about hard work, perseverance, and belief in yourself and the process. 

Recovery needs great motivation and focus, but it requires to be enabled by a process/framework. An example is the Transtheoretical Model (also called the Stages of Change Model) that assesses an individual's readiness to act on a new healthier behavior and provides strategies, or processes of change to guide the individual. The model has six stages:

1. Pre-contemplation - Phase of reluctance, too much thinking on the inability to change. 
2. Contemplation - the intent of change creeps in
3. Preparation (Determination) - ready to take action by taking small steps
4. Action - Change execution, determination to see it through
5. Maintenance - Intent to maintain the change and not relapse
6. Termination - change is permanent with no possibility of relapse 

In most difficult situations, we are at the stage of contemplation; we know we have to make the change but are lacking the will and more importantly a clear understanding of how to make the change. In this situation, the preparation and action stages are critical. Some thoughts or actions could be:

1. Understanding current and to-be state: Honest assessment of where we are and what can be achieved in a defined period
2. Define a clear set of actions with measures: Start with a set of small steps which can then lead to a larger one. Each activity need to have a timeline or frequency and is measurable
3. Evaluate and re-calibrate: its ok to fail, make required changes and try again
4. Think positive: Do all that is takes to keep your mind positive, stay away from negative thoughts and people
5. Take help: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's more a sign of strength to effect the change
6. Celebrate: Once we achieve a goal, small or big, it's essential to celebrate 

We are unlikely to reach the last stage of the Transtheoretical model, most of us would be at the maintenance phase, once we make a change, and that's a significant achievement. 

Novak's resurgence is an inspiration; the key is to Trust the Process.