ClearEDGE Tips For Success Part 2

Tip #3 – Voice Your Choice

From the last article, you learnedClearEdge tips 1 & 2. In this continuation article, you will learn the last three important tips. From ClearEdge tip 2, you learned to Know Your Thoughts. And now it is time to rewrite those thoughts into words that propel your sports mental toughness and performance.

Your words matter whether they are spoken or unspoken. Imagine that you just dropped a pass, missed a shot or hit a foul ball. (Use an example that applies to your sport). Now, you hear a coach, parent, team member or your own internal voices - say, “I can’t believe you missed that. How many times have your practiced that? What does it take for you to get it right?”

What happens? You immediately have feelings of self-doubt, frustration or maybe even anger. Those feelings erupt inside of you. Your thoughts take over and your performance drops.

However, just the opposite happens when you hear, “Shake it off. You’ve done it hundreds of times successfully and you’ll do it again! I believe in YOU!” So here’s the deal.

You have probably heard about positive self-talk. But, there is more to it than just being positive. To really change your state of mind and catapultyour performance, use the ‘Voice Your Choice’ formula. You will set yourself up for success when you use the formula to rewrite your thoughts! You are naming the achievement or outcome before it occurs. ''

Steps to Success

1. Take one of the thoughts that you tracked in ClearEDGE Tip #2

2. Rewrite it using the following formula. Your statement must be: First person; Present tense (Don’t write about the future or the past – stay in the present.); Specific; Short; Have feelings (this is the secret to changing your state of mind); Then, repeat, repeat, repeat

3. Now, pick another thought from your Tip #2 and rewrite it to be just as powerful

4. Then repeat the statement. Feel it, be it, see it happening!

Tip #4 – Take a Stand

Just like your thoughts,mental toughness affects your performance, as does your body language. Imagine you just missed a critical kick during the final seconds of your football game. (Again, replace this example with one that fits your sport.) What does your body language look like? How are you standing or running back to the sidelines? Is your head down, shoulders slumped and your eyes looking at the ground? How do you feel? What are you thinking?

This image is powerful and sends signals of defeat and repeat to your mind. This combination of thinking, feeling and being (slumped over, etc.) get locked into your mind with a message of, “This is what happens and how I feel when I make a kick.” Your chance of making your next kick/play successful has just gone down.

It is extremely important you do not let the event define your response. The event is over. You can’t change it. Don’t let it beat you. Take a Stand!Control what you can control … your body.

Steps to Success

1. Just like ClearEDGE Tip #2, when you Take a Stand you first need to be aware of your body language. Like your thoughts, the messages your body sends your mind are powerful.

2. Track how your body automatically responds to certain situations. Does your head drop, shoulders slump, eyes automatically go to the ground, jaw tenses, fists clench, or you let out a puff of hot air? How else does your body respond? Be aware.

3. The moment you become aware of one or more of these body responses you have the opportunity to change it. Lift you head and eyes up, shake out the tension in your shoulders, take a breath and relax. Notice how it feels.

4. Layer this with the other tips you’ve learned and you are well on your way to managing your success. Whatever the image of your ‘powerful self’ looks like, be it!

Tip #5 - E-magine Your Success

E-magine is simply to imagine with emotion. It is one of the most powerful and valuable techniques you can use to enhance your performance and build confidence.The fact is, your mind does not know the difference between real and e-magined. And there is both good news and bad news about that.

Bad News: You e-magine every day … when you worry. You visualize the worst about what happened in the past or what might happen in the future. For example, as a batter you might worry about the last time you struck out (the past). Emotions kick in such as: fear; frustration; anger or stress. Your body responds by getting tense, you breathe heavy and your heart pounds. The next time you go to the plate you experience a loss of focus and your reaction time slows, because you are worrying about the future. You are e-magining the worst about what might happen.

Good News: You get to choose what you e-magine! You can just as easily e-magine being successful, performing at your best. When you e-magine your successful performance you immediately gain confidence, focus, clarity and improved skills. Here’s how it works.

Steps to Success

What to do:While this takes some practice, it is well worth it. The benefits are excellent. Use the example above, follow these steps.

1. Find a place where you can relax

2. Make sure you will not be interrupted

3. Close your eyes and breathe slowly

4. Feel your body begin to feel heavy and relaxed

5. E-magine yourself back in that batter’s box – getting ready to execute the perfect hit

6. Now activate every one of your five senses. What do you hear, see, feel, taste and smell?

7. ClearEDGE Tip #1 – What do you want? Be specific.

8. ClearEDGE Tip # 2 – Know Your Thoughts

9. ClearEDGE Tip # 3 – Voice Your Choice

10. ClearEDGE Tip # 4 – Take a Stand

11. Remain laser focused on the pitcher and smash that perfect hit

12. Hear the ball hit the bat, feel your exhilaration as you round the bases, take in all the sensations; the cheering crowd, your teammates high-fiving you, etc.

13. Be sure to celebrate your success.

For more tips or information on mental toughness and conditioning, contact Deborah Dubree and ClearEdge.