by Mike Martel
Time after time you see a promising athlete come out of college and go into the pros only to bomb out. He or she had the best
athletic ability,
yet could not cut it at the professional level. Others might not have
great athletic ability, get picked late in the draft and go onto become
super stars. Tom Brady comes to mind as someone who wasn’t particularly
outstanding in college who has gone on to be a probable first time
inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Personally I have seen the
same. I spent many years in the US Army Special Forces. We would have
tryouts who while in the best physical shape just could not make the
grade to be a Green Beret. Others, who would seem to be nondescript,
would pass the Special Forces Qualification course with flying colors
and go onto to be an outstanding soldier.
You are probably asking
yourself by now what is the difference? What do you need to perform at
the highest levels, which is even more important than physical ability?
Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is
what separates the superstar from the merely good. It separates the
musicians that play small party gigs from the rock stars. Someone
without mental toughness can have all the natural talents or ability and
not make it as far as someone with mental toughness with average
ability.
The key to mental toughness is applying consistently the
traits of self motivation, positive attitude, emotional self control,
calmness under fire, and being energetic and ready for action.
Consistency is important. Through applying these traits day in and day
out, you will be able to reach new heights in whatever endeavors you
seek whether it be a sport, playing a musical instrument, coding a
computer application or writing a novel.
Let’s look at each of the traits of mental toughness:
Self Motivation
While some sports are team sports and other pursuits are done in conjunction with others life is pretty much played alone. Your
motivation must come from within. The intensity of your motivation is determined by how badly you want to perform well.
Motivation
can be strengthened many ways. Think back to a failure. That feeling
can provide the motivation to keep going, keep practicing. A time of
victory can also provide the motivation to reclaim that winning feeling.
Use time as a motivator. While others relax you can be gaining on them
increasing your skills.
Positive, Realistic Attitude
You
are not going to be able to do everything. In Special Forces we always
looked for what someone was good at and focused on that. By focusing on
strengths, you gain confidence and inspiration from them. You can create
your own
positive attitude.
For example, smaller pro basketball players do not try to go head to
head with others over seven feet tall, they focus on their speed and
ball handling skills. Focus on what your natural strengths are.
Emotional Self Control
People who are not in
control of their emotions
get upset when the something doesn’t go as expected. They alienate
spouses, co-workers, teammates by petty, childish behavior. Mentally
tough people have tough skins and don’t let outside circumstances affect
them. There will be many times whether in a game or in life that things
happen outside your control. A mentally tough person keeps their
emotions in check and keeps on with the game plan they had in mind from
the beginning.
Calm Under Fire
Anything
worth going for is going to be high pressure one time or another.
Mentally tough people are at their best under pressure.
Calmness under fire isn’t
something you just switch on. The key here is to seek out pressure
situations working up from low pressure to medium pressure to high
pressure situations. Perform in front of larger and larger groups. Seek
out better and better opponents, games top participate in. What seemed
like high pressure before will become the new normal for you.
Energetic and Ready For Action
Mentally
tough people get themselves fire up and ready to go for the battle,
performance, game or whatever it may be. It might be the middle of the
night, you might have played two other performances the same day or you
might be under the weather. The pride you get from doing your best in
less than optimal circumstances makes it that much easier to succeed in
all circumstances. The third performance of the day might not be your
best ever, but it should be the best you can possibly give. The next
time when conditions are better you will play better for times you
pushed yourself to give it all.
Conclusion
The
great thing about mental toughness is that you are not born with it.
You don’t have to learn it at a young age. Mental toughness comes simply
from the decision to consistently apply the traits I have talked about.
You can start today and reach levels of your game, relationships, and
success that you never thought possible. Outstanding athletic prowess,
superior intellect, musical talent will take someone so far. Without
mental toughness they will not reach their full potential.
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