Train Your Mind

 

 

Roger Bannister was the first man to run the mile in under four minutes. He accomplished this feat in 1954. Bannister was not the most gifted runner of his day, but he knew the importance of both physical and mental training.
Gunder Haegg, who came within 1.3 seconds of breaking the four-minute mile in 1945, wrote before Bannister's great achievement that he thought Bannister would be the man to break four minutes because "he uses his brains as much as his legs."
In 1956, Bannister wrote one of the most noteworthy sentences in athletic literature, "Though physiology may indicate respiratory and cardiovascular limits to muscular effort, psychological and other factors beyond the ken of physiology set the razor's edge of defeat or victory and determine how closely the athlete approaches the absolute limits of performance."
In other words, the mind has a great impact on athletic performance. Whether you're preparing for a 5K or wanting to improve your golf game, mind training techniques will help you perform better.

GOAL SETTING
Setting goals will increase your motivation by giving you a target to shoot for. It will give you a path to follow to more easily get to where you want to go. Break your main goal down into subgoals. Also, combine long-term goals (6+ months) with mid-term goals (4-6 months) and short-term goals (1-3 months). Use the SMARTER technique (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time Bound, Exciting, Rewarding) to help you establish better goals. Most importantly, take action.

POSITIVE THINKING
Negative thoughts are a wet blanket on enthusiasm and performance. Apply the principle, "Don't say 'don't'" - phrases like "Don't miss this shot" or "Don't screw up" may cause you to do the very thing you're trying to avoid. Remind yourself you can do it. Use positive verbal suggestions to help, "I am calm and confident," "I am well-trained and prepared," "I am strong." If you do make a mistake, think of it as a simple reminder to regain focus. Believe in yourself.

VISUALIZATION
Visualization or imagery will help boost your confidence. Mentally see yourself performing the activity in all the details. Try to utilize all your senses - see the sights, hear the sounds, feel your body move, etc. Dispel thoughts or pictures of doing something incorrectly. This is the time to perform perfectly. See yourself performing exactly as you know or hope it should be done.

RELAXATION
This technique will help you relieve tension and nervousness so you can better focus on the task at hand. Get comfortable and take a few deep breaths - in through the nose and out through the mouth. If you're doing something you enjoy, remind yourself of your love for the game or task. Think about right here and right now. Convert any thoughts of mistakes or failure into positive thoughts of a successful outcome. Loosen up and let it flow.
These techniques can be used to help you perform better in many areas of your life. They will help relieve stress, build confidence, and increase motivation. Do you have a big speech upcoming? Do you have to tell someone unpleasant news? Do you have a job interview? If so, try utilizing one or a combination of these techniques.
Roger Bannister knew the importance of mental conditioning, and it helped him achieve an athletic feat many thought impossible. Though your goals may not be as lofty as Bannister's, you can still use your mind to positively affect your performance. Train your mind!