Mental Preparation - 4
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." – Unknown

MYTH #4: "What I say inside my head has no bearing on my ability to perform."
COROLLARY: None of that hokey self-talk stuff works.

Let's continue our discussion from the last issue on arousal by looking into how our self-talk effects our arousal levels for competition. If you took the time to write some notes about your thought patterns, emotions and focal points in your best and worst performances you undoubtedly came up with very different patterns.

How do you feel when you tell yourself "I'm not at my best", "I think the weather will affect my performance" or, "I feel so tired?" When you feel emotionally ready for competition - just that right arousal level -- thoughts generated in your head are probably along the lines of "I'm ready for anything", "I'm strong and prepared", "Let's go!"

Thoughts drive your emotional and arousal state. Self-talk, whether we admit it or not, is always going on in our heads. It may take the form of images or words. We do not suddenly become "down." We tell ourselves things or imagine horrible scenarios in our heads to get down. Likewise, to be "up" for a competition, it all starts in our heads. Only through practice do we get better at this. (This always seems easy when you're feeling good or having a good workout. The real challenge is when you aren't!)

Some tips:
One clue to negative self-talk is using absolutes (never, always, all, none). After all, how many things are that way? Be more accurate with your words. Describe things more objectively and accurately. If you have never beaten someone (very objective) add on to your sentence the word "yet." This connotes that the time will come when you will beat this person. You are starting to affect your belief system... your self-fulfilling prophecy.

Focus on the positive aspect. That is, instead of telling yourself "don't give up" or "don't die" reword it to "keep it up" or "hang in there."

Focus on the present. Keep your thoughts on maintaining form, stride and rhythm. Repeat in your mind cue words to keep you focused such as "smooth", "control" or repeating a cadence, "1-2-3."

Next up, physical and verbal cues to get you in the right state of mind.