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SKILLS FOR LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Details: Category: Leadership Leadership

BE TOUGH

You invest a lot into your sport. Mental toughness is the ability to execute whatever you want to get done right now. The core concepts below do not contain new information. You already have the tools and information. The descriptions of these concepts simply attempt to help you put the pieces of the puzzle together. A primary coach's goal? To maximize the return on competitors' investment of time, passion, and probably plenty of money, too.

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Focus – Do you clutter your mind with too much thinking while you’re trying to perform? Focusing on the task-at-hand is a vital performance skill that can be learned with quality practice. To focus, you must block out regrets about the past and worries about the future, recognize the correct present-tense object for your focus, and find that “trust mode” that allows your potential to come out in your performance.

Positive Self-Talk – Self-Talk is not optional…you’re going to think and the quality of your thoughts is going to determine the quality of your attitudes. Are your thoughts helping you excel or holding you back?

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A Peek Inside Champions' Heads

Details: Category: Self-Talk Self-Talk

"Overheard" from the Minds of some Great Athletes:

Normal Self-Talk can be transformed into Fantastic Self-Talk

I've got to get a hit.	I don't have to win, but it sure would be fun. I'll make the most of this opportunity.
Adversity sucks.	At least it's adversity in the game I love.
I just love winning.	I love this game.
What will my coach say?	I know I'm trying my best, so I'm going to enjoy this competition and not worry. Period. No worries.
If we don't win, it will be a catastrophe.	Winning sure beats losing, but it's just a game.
OMG!	Don't get too emotional and lose track of the things I can control.
Wow, I royally messed that up!	Try to be perfect, but don't ever expect it.

Players Reminder: "You can either find a way or you can find an excuse, but you can't do both."

Coaches Reminder: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Winner's Creed: "I will give my best effort one step at a time, accept whatever happens, and do it again."

LEAVE A COMMENT - What is a strategy or power phrase you use to control the direction of your mind?

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20 Tips to Smile More

Details: Category: Big Smile Big Smile

Life is so much better when you're good at it. Here is a video that amazes and inspires me. Evidently, there are no limits...

Here are 20 ideas for being the best version of yourself.

1. Smile. You're beautiful.

Because Who is Perfect

Details: Category: Big Smile Big Smile

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day.

You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

-Jim Valvano, winner in life and basketball

Two defining moments: 1983 National Championship, 1993 ESPY Awards Speech

Jimmy V would've liked this video!

"Strive for perfection, but never expect it!"

-John Wooden, winner in life

(he made people better)

A Healthy Perspective

Details: Category: Coaching Mental Toughness Coaching Mental Toughness

Mental Toughness Stems from a Healthy Perspective

“Baseball is what I do, not who I am.”

“I might get beat, but I’ll never be defeated!”

“Baseball is not war. I compete fiercely, but it is just a game.”

“I love this game.”

Note: This article references baseball, but it is applicable to any sport.

Why does one person break down under pressure while another breaks through?
How can an athlete perform so well in practice, then struggle so mightily in the game?
Why do many fine athletes work hard and have talent, but play so inconsistently?

Many coachable, hard-working athletes perform far below their potential because they are unaware of their deficient mental skills. With awareness, all mental skills can be trained, including focus, self-control, imagery, and confidence. All are parts of the answers to the questions above, but none address a foundational problem found in most inconsistent athletes’ mental game: a flawed perspective.