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Simply put, there is a very "fine
line" that separates the GREAT athletes (in any sport) from those
that are VERY GOOD. That "fine line" is also known as: "The Mental
Game".
However, it really isn't "that" simple, for if it were, achieving
success would be easy for everyone.
We have all heard of: "The Mental Game". Exactly what is this mysterious,
inanimate "thing" that all of the GREATS possess?
In the following (July and August) columns, we are going to give
you that answer.
In all sports (as in life itself), there are many, many aspects
and deciding factors that go into being successful. Naturally, one
must have a certain god-given talent to be able to perform on a
very high level that can lead to success. That being said (and assuming
you, or any other individual) has that talent, we can then go forward
with a plan.
Basically there are two (2) areas of concern: A). Performance. B).
Thinking.
Performance
It is easy to judge someone's performance because you can see their
technique and execution. The hard part for one to recognize is the
thinking part, for you (the coach) can NOT see that.
If an individual possesses the proper fundamentals (in any sport),
this is the part that is commonly called: "The Physical Game". If
an individuals Physical Game is to a level that shows a potential
for success, then the only thing that could possibly hold that person
back from success is himself/herself by the way that they think.
Thinking
How an athlete thinks is what separates the GREATS from those
that are VERY GOOD.
All sports require certain physical fundamentals that are easily
defined just by watching that athlete perform. You can actually
see how good someone is. Those fundamentals are a result of achieving
certain facets of a particular sport which is generally the result
of extreme hard work on the athlete's part.
There is also a formula for achieving success with your "MIND".
Just as an athlete trains his/her body, the "mind" can also be trained.
Training your body for total success is very hard, and so is training
your mind. The GREATS in all sports have done just that.
Below is the formula for achieving success and acquiring "The Mental
Game".
Formula
ALL "formulas" have ingredients. As an example, if you were to bake
a pie, you would have to follow the directions that are on the box.
IF you followed those directions precisely you would (more than
likely) end up with a perfect pie.
If you failed to put just one of the ingredients called for
into the mixture, then that 'formula' would not produce the desired
result. The very same thing holds true when determining success,
whether it be in athletics or any other endeavor.
The Formula (or, the ingredients), for "The Mental Game",
will be in Part 2, next month.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are truly serious about obtaining
a stronger Mental Game, then I suggest that you read as many 'self-help'
books as possible. There are literally thousands and thousands of
these types of books available at bookstores and libraries everywhere.
If you are interested in obtaining some of the best 'self help'
audio tapes that are available anywhere, feel free to contact the
author of this column for details. You can e-mail him, at:
Len Nicholson
savrsprt@yahoo.com |
