Athletes, you all know the grind of physical training. You push through fatigue, refine your technique, and chase that peak performance feeling. But what about the mental side? Let's be honest, showing up for your mental game takes a different kind of courage.
I see this all the time. Athletes know they need to invest in their mental fitness, but something holds them back. So, let's tackle this head-on!
Identifying Your Barriers: What's Stopping You From Showing Up?
The first step is acknowledging what might be preventing you from giving your mental game the attention it deserves. Here are some common roadblocks:
Time constraints: Training already takes up most of your day. How can you squeeze anything else in?
Not knowing where to start: The world of mental training can seem overwhelming. Where do you even begin?
Going through the motions: Your doing what you think you need to do, such as visualize, goal setting, or self-reflection, but you aren't really engaged in it or being deliberate. You are simply doing it just to say you are doing it.
Permission Granted: Owning Your Mental Journey
Here's the good news: showing up for your mental game starts with giving yourself permission. Ask yourself:
What permission do I need to prioritize my mental training?
Maybe it's permission to say "no" to other commitments to free up time.
Maybe it's simply allowing yourself to try something new.
Maybe it's permission to get curious about mental training and how it can help you.
Maybe it's permission to fully buy in, to trust the process before you start seeing the results of the work.
Permission to prioritize: Acknowledge that mental training deserves a spot in your routine, just like physical training.
Permission to feel uncomfortable: Growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Embrace the challenge!
Strategic Solutions: Tools for Your Mental Training Journey
Once you grant yourself permission, it's time for action! Here are some practical ways to get started:
Schedule it: Just like physical training, block off time in your calendar for mental practices.
Find what works for you: Meditation, journaling, visualization – explore different techniques and find what fits your style.
Start small: Don't overwhelm yourself. Begin with 5-minute exercises and gradually increase the duration as you build the habit.
Find a buddy: Partner up with a teammate or friend who's also interested in mental training. Can you hold each other accountable?
Seek professional guidance: Consider working with a sport psychologist or mental performance coach for personalized strategies.
Showing Up Changes the Game
Taking these steps is an act of courage, but trust me, it's worth it. Here's what you can expect:
Increased focus and concentration: Improve your performance in training and competition.
Enhanced emotional control: Manage pre-game jitters and stay calm under pressure.
Greater resilience: Bounce back from setbacks and learn from every experience.
Unwavering confidence: Believe in your abilities and trust your training.
Ready to show up for your mental game? Remember, permission, strategy, and the courage to start are the keys to unlocking your full potential. Let's build a mental fortress that will make your physical prowess unstoppable! For more information on our programs and how we can help contact us today.
To your success,
Kate
About: Kate Allgood is educated in the field of applied sport psychology. She holds two Masters degrees in psychology where she graduated with distinction. After a very successful hockey career, she has spent the past 14 years working one on one with high school, college, Olympic, and professional athletes to help them with their mindset, mental performance and mental skills training. Kate has also been a consultant for professional teams, including the Anaheim Ducks primary minor league affiliate the San Diego Gulls, to help the team and players develop their mental game. It is important to note that while Kate has graduate school training in applied sport psychology and general psychology, she does not diagnose or treat clinical disorders, and is not a licensed psychologist.
**The information provided is not to dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique, either directly or indirectly, as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems, without the advice of a physician. The information provided is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for high performance. If you know or suspect you have a health problem, it is recommended you seek your physician's advice.