The Craft of Mental Conditioning

6 Components to Gaining the Competitive Edge

1. Clarity

    Do you have a clear idea and vision of your goals?

2. Concentration

Do you know how to focus and give your undivided attention 

to the task at hand?

3. Composure

Have you learned how to remain centered, calm

 and collected during the competition?

4. Confidence

Do you believe in yourself and your abilities?

5. Character

Do you know the difference between what is right and wrong 

in playing the game?

6. Courage

Have you learned to face your fears and play with perseverance?  

The Mental Game of Nick Foles

Yesterday, in the Thursday, December 12th edition of the Philadelphia Daily News, John Murrow wrote an article about Eagles quarterback Nick Foles being placed on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In reading the article, you see how Foles has been mastering the mental aspect of playing football. He not only is focused on how best to serve his team but also has learned to focus on what's most important when he is on field. According to Murrow, Foles has been able to zone out the "noise from all the extra attention, accolades and honors", and simply focus on the game of football. 

In my work with athletes, I have several mental skills which Nick Foles successfully utilizes as a professional athlete...

Circle of Control - Identifying and understanding the difference between what you control and don't control. To be a successful athlete, it is essential that you always focus only on what you do control: your attitude, your actions on and off the field, the time you put into practice, physical conditioning and studying game films. 

Avoid The Minefields - An athlete has to be careful not to step on the mental minefields of complaining, blaming, doubting, resigning or questioning yourself or your teammates. Concentrate on what you want to accomplish and achieve to make yourself a better player, and focus on the positive and productive thoughts or images of what you are currently doing or capable of doing.

Tune In/Tune Out - As an athlete, you need to learn how to tune into those things that are beneficial and essential to your performance while, at the same time, tuning out whatever will distract you or take you away from your game. You tune into your strengths, what you control, positive thoughts, serving the team, the present moment, and learning from your mistakes. You tune out negative judgments about yourself, questionable calls from the officials, any frustrations from the previous play, and wondering who will win the game.

Gratitude

(Being Grounded)

Sometimes I wonder
 if the most grateful athletes
 are the ones 
who are most grounded. 

When a player comes 
from a place of gratitude, 
he brings a sense of enjoyment
 and enthusiasm 
to every moment in a game. 
 Being thankful for the ability
 to play the game he loves, 
he can not hold himself back 
from wanting to give 
and serve the greater good.

  Being grounded, 
the roots
 of his character 
run deep.
The desire to play
with heart
fuels his courage 
and compassion.

To give thanks
for his teammates,
for all the trainings and practices
for every moment in the games,
for being healthy,
for each memorable play,
for the support of his coaches,
for his strengths,
and for the people he will 
meet along the way.