10/31/2018
A person who is mentally tough looks at competition as a challenge to rise up to rather than a threat to back away from. Like physical skills, mental skills can be learned with instruction and regular practice.
Competitive Pro golfer Nance Lopez clearly defines a competitor. “A competitor will find a way to win,” she said. “Competitors take bad breaks and use them to drive themselves just that much harder. Quitters take bad breaks and use them as reasons to give up.”
Confident Tiger Woods said, “Every time I play, in my own mind I’m the favorite.” Confident athletes have a can-do attitude, a belief they can handle anything that comes their way. They almost never fall victim to self-defeating thoughts. M Jordan went into every game thinking he was the best player on the court until someone could prove him wrong. Very few could.
Control Successful athletes are able to control their emotions and behavior. They focus on what they can control and don’t allow the things they can’t control to affect them. The hallmark of mentally tough people is the ability to maintain poise, concentration, and emotional control under the greatest pressure and the most challenging situations.
Committed MT people focus their time and energy on their goals and dreams. They are self-directed and highly motivated. Listen to John McEnroe: “There are scores of players that can hit every shot in the book who never make it into a Grand Slam event. Those who make it are there because they are mentally tougher. They wanted it more.” Andre Agassi redirected himself to the game. He worked hard to get into the shape of his life. The results speak for themselves.
Composure Mentally tough athletes know how to keep composure and deal with adversity. In working with Pro Cyclist teams, I’ll often ride with them and give them a little shove. I want to see their reaction. Oftentimes the pro will instinctively lean back into me with intent to knock me over. In most sports if you lose your temper you lose your spot for the day. A mentally tough person will say “Fine, if I’ve got to beat the other guy and the referee, that’s just what I’ll do.” The motto I teach to Rugby players applies to you: Keep your cool when the heat is on.
Courage A mentally tough athlete must be willing to take a risk. That’s what peak performers do. In the book Adversity Quotient author Paul Stoltz compares success with a mountain. Only climbers get to the top. The campers, those we make it part way up and stay put, will never feel as alive or as proud as climbers. Legend adventurer Edmond Hillary (first man to reach the top of Everest) puts like this ‘it’s not the mountain that we conquer but ourselves.’
Consistency Mentally tough athletes possess an inner strength. They can play their best even when they feel their worst. They NEVER make excuses!
Competition is won or lost on the six-inch playing field between the ears. Practice the seven C’s of mental toughness. Learn to love the competition.
Written by: Brian Alderson Peak Performance Coaching International
