MVP #055 – Focus and Mental Training

Professional athletes experience impacts from good focus and fail when they get distracted. Keeping your head in the game is critical to successful performance. There are things people do to prepare for performances. Train, be in shape, mental training. Let’s focus on mental training and how focus can work for you.

Attitude
Have a good attitude. Do your best. Don’t expect perfection.

Motivation
Be prepared for adversity or a slump. Trouble with fitness and diet happen. How do you maintain motivation when times are tough and you start to feel down? No self pity, no excuses. Be self-motivating. WANT to be there because you really don’t HAVE to be. Look inside yourself. Play for you.

Goals
Set goals, plan ahead. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Visualize that future version of you. Write down what you discover about your desires. Make a plan with steps along with way to achieve the success you desire. Train yourself to achieve skills you need for the next / higher level.

People Skills
Develop good people skills. Get along / play nice with others. Have an attitude of gratitude and enjoy what you love.

Self-Talk
Avoid negative self-talk. Deal with uncertainty by telling yourself that you can do it. You HAVE that skill and you CAN handle it! Positive self-talk and looking ahead to the next opportunity to perform well will take you far!

Visualization
See YOU making the right plays to eliminate stress in challenging situations. See the successful action in your mind’s eye.

Anxiety and Emotions
DON’T WORRY. Forget the free throw you missed. You can’t change the past, but you can focus on the next effort.  Don’t let your emotions get in the way. Remain level-headed minimize the highs and the lows and be an automatic performer.

Concentrate
Forget anything but how well you can do what you are getting ready to do. You have practiced this before MANY TIMES. Concentrate on what you already know how to do and DO IT!

You’re good enough, you’re smart enough and dog-gone-it, people really like you.

Be thoughtful. Ask questions. Do good things. Help yourself and others live long and healthful lives.

Find community. Find support.

Mark
mark@mochavegan.com
@mochavegan