Sports psychology is one of the most important elements to becoming a successful athlete at any level. Many people don’t realize how much your head can either improve or hinder your performance depending on how you train your mind. I’ve had the opportunity to study sports psychology in college and have also worked one-on-one with some of the best psychologists the US Olympic Committee has to offer. If you can harness the power of your mind, you will achieve great heights.
The Mental Edge, by Kenneth Baum, is by far the most useful book I’ve ever read in my athletic career! It’s an easy read for anyone that is looking to improve his or her potential in any sport at all levels. I wanted to outline and quote some of the points that have helped me the most so you can also "ignite your spark of desire into a passionate flame of greater athletic excellence".
The #1 rule is that YOU have to believe that improvement is possible. The power of belief creates a passion that prompts us to willingly pay the price for success.
Ten Perception Stretchers:
1. A loss becomes a gain.
2. If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.
3. The imagination is more powerful than the will.
4. Bodies work perfectly; the mind gets in the way.
5. Limitations are temporary.
6. Anyone can play any sport better.
7. Events have no meaning except what you give them.
8. Getting better is more important than winning.
9. Practice like you play.
10. The more you expect from a situation, the more you will achieve.
more to come...