Mind and Performance 

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As sports people we are familiar with sports-specific coaching.  The aim of any sports coaching is simple and that is to take us to the next level.  Whatever skill level we attain, we are all aware that our performance is effected by our state.  

 

Our state effects everything.

Optimum performance (for any given level of skill and physical condition), is achieved when we operate in our

optimum emotional state because our emotions effect our neurology.  

 

Getting to our optimum physical state only one part of our preparation to enjoy sport for its own sake and on the next level, to succeed in competition. 

 

The difference that makes the difference between those of similar ability is belief and the ability to control internal state. 

 

In all activities and particularly in sport we occasionally experience that feeling of flow, that purple patch where whatever we do seems to come off, where confidence is boundless.  

 

That state is free from negatiivity and  accessing that state and then increasing your ability to remain in that state is

where Mind and Performance comes in.

 

Our state is how we feel, our mood and is the sum total of all our neurological and physical processes at any moment in time. 

No matter how fit and conditioned we are, no matter what our skill levels, if our mind is working against us then we will always underachieve.  How many times have you been beaten by an opponent with an inferior skill level?  This could be down to your fitness but in most cases will be down to your mind and your state.  We know that once our mind is working for us then the physical aspect of the sport just gets easier.  The difference between the top performers in any sport, is their ability to control their own state and this is done by their mind.  This is the same for all sports people.  

 

In sport, the power of the mind is universally acknowledged.  'Psyching -up' has always been a part of competition and coaching. The top-performing teams and individuals are now realising that there is more to 'psyching-up' than a team talk or a motivational chat.  Whether this is through enlightenment or necessity the result is the same and they are turning to Mind Coaching to give them the edge.  For most sports people it is the richest vein to mine for performance gains and yet conversley the least explored. This is especially strange since everyone knows how our state effects how we deliver on any given day.  Recent publicity around cycling, football, rugby etc. has accelerated the use of Mind Coaching at the top level and this is rapidly percolating through to all levels of sport.

 

It all starts with language.........the sports coach's language and the language the spots person uses with themselves - self-talk.

 

Why would you not coach the Mind when it is the key to operating at your best level of performance?

 

Get the most from your mind and you will get the best from your body

 

Most Mind and Performance Coaches will teach you about basic techniques for psyching-up and remaining at the correct intensity. Things like breathing, movement, body language, mental rehearsal, music, intensity keywords.  Where we come in is that if you know that stuff (which on some level you will) and you are still underperforming, your reason will probably be a negative emotion.  Negative emotion is the driver for behaviours that do not serve or help us.

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Emotional coaching is therefore the answer if you want to remove those negative emotional drivers

 

A good Mind Coach will help you to identify the reason/s for your underperformance and then guide and assist you to change.

 

3 common reasons for underperformance in any sport or area of our lives are:

Negative emotions (often Fear and Anxiety) 

Limiting Beliefs

Internal Conflict

 

Remove these and performance increases straight away