Have you ever heard anyone say "It's all mental" or "It's a mental game at this point"? What do you think they mean by those statements? Think of two outstanding pitchers in the game of baseball. Every one of their physical skills are equal. However, one of the pitchers has more experience in the game. Due to the pitcher's experience, he understands how to mentally outwit his opponent to win the game.
Mental skills can assist in your performance. Think of the cognitive stage of learning in which you begin to visualize, reason, and judge a new skill to be acquired. These items are considered mental skills as well. Successful athletes all have common mental skills.
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Attitude
choosing to have a positive attitude towards oneself, the game, the officials, and coaches; seeking excellence in your performance. Motivation
having the awareness and drive to work through difficult tasks and situations; knowing the outcomes and benefits of your performance Commitment and Goals
setting short and long term goals in your performance and having the determination to follow through with them People Skills
realizing that other individuals in your world will need you to effectively communicate your feelings and respectfully listen to their answers; being aware that others may be oppositional and having the effective disposition to deal with them in a positive manner Positive Self-Talk
thinking to yourself in a positive manner, which allows you to maintain your effective disposition during difficult situations; telling yourself positive and realistic things Mental Imagery
preparing for your competition by visualizing yourself performing your skills well or seeing yourself achieving a task to the best of your ability Concentration
maintaining your focus on the task at hand knowing that there may be distractions Handling Emotions
knowing that emotions such as anger, fear, and excitement are all a part of the competition and knowing how to channel those emotions into a positive way to improve your performance Dealing with Anxiety
being aware that anxiety is a part of the game or activity and realizing that anxiety needs to be transformed into a positive emotion that can assist in bettering your performance |
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Take a moment to think about these mental skills. How do you deal with them, and how can use them in transforming your performance?
