MESSAGE #1277 MENTAL BLOCKS
We all get mental blocks. And we all need to overcome these blocks.
Imagine driving across the country from New York to California…with your emergency break on.
Many athletes go through their entire careers like that.
The problem is most people want to win, but they don’t want to get out of their comfort zone.
For all you athletes, amateur and professional, here’s my tip:
The best way to win more is to forget about winning.
During practice you need to THINK.
During competition you need to DO.
Play your game and trust your game.
MESSAGE #1273 HOW TO WIN MORE
Today’s message is especially dedicated to Quinn Martin and his high school basketball team in Washington State.
What happens when you are in a slump?
If you are like most athletes, your body language is poor, you begin thinking too much and you get down on yourself.
Most people begin thinking about the past (we haven’t won a game in weeks), or the future (what if we lose again tonight?). But the great performers focus on the present moment (your effort, energy level and adjustments).
Last night the Jets beat the Patriots when they should not have. On paper, the Patriots were the better team.
But the Jets played better.
The better team never wins, the team that plays better always wins.
So when you are in a slump, act like you are on a streak.
Go all-out and focus on the things you can control (your effort) and don’t worry about the things you cannot control (winning/losing). I think you will be pleased with the results.
MESSAGE #1263 KEEP CLIMBING
Suppose you are down at the beach and you catch a crab. If you put it in a bucket, you need to cover the bucket or the crab will climb out. But if you catch more than one crab, you don’t need to put a cover on the bucket. Why?
Because when one crab tries to climb out of the bucket, the other crabs will grab it and pull it back in. It doesn’t matter how many crabs are in the bucket.
Now what does this have to do with you?
You’re not a crab and other crabs will not bring you down.
But other people might bring you down by things that they say or things that they do. Certain events or situations might bring you down.
But don’t let them.
You choose how you react to different people and different situations. There are some things that you cannot control, but you can control your actions. And your reactions. Here’s my recommended action:
Keep climbing.
MESSAGE #1262 A MESSAGE FROM MARK
The only pressure I’m under is the pressure I’ve put on myself.
-MARK MESSIER, hockey great
Recently, there was a football kicker training at my sports center. He is only 13 but has “phenom” written all over him. He has been working hard, doing all the right things and developing quite nicely.
This past week he was training for a pro event, which is a very big deal and only a few days away.
Then something happened.
He started missing kicks he was making easily the weeks prior. He started looking and feeling nervous. He was not the same person.
What changed?
Nothing physically, but mentally he started over-thinking. He was focusing on how important this upcoming pro event is. He started trying too hard. The little negative voice inside his head began getting louder and louder.
This happens all the time in sports and life.
When the pressure’s on, many people fold.
But it is not pressure, it is perception.
There are two ways to look at pressure–you can either get frustrated or fascinated by it.
The choice is yours.
What would be my advice to this young kicker?
1. Understand that nerves are normal. Everyone gets nervous.
2. Take a deep breath to lower your heart rate and stay in the present moment.
3. Focus on the target, not the outcome.
4. Act as if it were impossible to fail.
5. Cultivate gratitude and have fun!
For a free 10-minute mental toughness consultation, email: ed@edtseng.com or call 609.558.1077
MESSAGE #1260 THE WORLD’S SHORTEST SAD STORY
Once upon a time a young boy said to his family, “I want to do great things in this world; I know I can.”
Then, an old man said to his family, “I wish I had done great things in this world; I wish I did.”
End of story.
Why is this story so sad?
Because the young boy and the old man were the same person.
At the end of your life, do you want to say, “I wish I had” or “I’m glad I did”?
I think we all know the answer.
You can also apply this mindset to each and every day. Each and every practice. Each and every game.
At the end of the day, or at the end of the game, take the mental toughness test.
You pass the test if you say:
“I’m glad I did.”
MESSAGE #1253 IS THIS WHAT YOU DO?
Think about the last time you were under pressure.
Perhaps it was during an athletic competition.
Perhaps it was with a deadline at work.
Perhaps it was speaking in front of your class in school.
Physically, how did you react?
If you are like most people, your body tensed up.
How did you perform?
If you are like most people, you didn’t perform at your best.
Now think about the last time you performed effortlessly.
Physically how did you react?
Your body was probably pretty loose.
How did you perform?
Quite well, I’m sure.
A large part of peak performance is staying loose. Focused, but loose.
How do you do it?
Here’s one way:
Think of something funny before you perform.
It could be a joke, a comedy clip or video, maybe even reading from a joke book you carry around with you. And when things get tough, think of that funny thing.
Here’s an exercise: The next time you see a “big game” on television, watch how some of the players react with smiles and laughter.
Then watch what kind of results they get.
MESSAGE #1250 NO EXCEPTIONS
Well, Christmas Day is almost over.
I am a little under the weather, so I spent most of it resting.
Laying in bed, I remembered that I had not blogged yet today.
I didn’t feel like getting up, but I did it anyway.
In my head, I recalled one of my favorite quotes:
“Exceptions shatter dreams.”
I know it’s a holiday.
I know I’m not feeling well.
But I also know that there could be one person out there reading my blog for the first time, and I owe it to them to give it my best.
After all, Lou Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees, all while breaking 17 bones in his hands and suffering many injuries, including concussions.
One day Gehrig got hit on top of the head and was unconscious for five minutes.
Guess what?
The next day, he was in the lineup wearing one of Babe Ruth’s caps that had been cut at the seams so the enormous bump on top of his head could fit in it.
If Lou Gehrig could tough it out, I surely could write a blog entry.
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