In any athletic contest or game, points in time appear that amount to pivotal or defining moments.
These often change the outcome. They set a new standard and they can be game-breakers.
The thread to the result (good or bad) is the decision or thought process that immediately precedes these moments.
In one moment of time the mind decides what our immediate reaction will be….and the body being the willing servant to the mind, acts in accordance with the emotion that is being expressed at that time.
The Law of Attraction says we get what we think about. This means think bad, and you will get bad. Therefore, there is a better chance of good occurring if you can think positively.
Remember, nothing positive ever came out of a negative mindset.
What is it that you think about?
Given the opportunity the mind will always default to the negative, particularly when we are under pressure and stressed. We need to be vigilant in monitoring our emotions, as they can quickly spiral out of control if we don’t. On the other hand if we can be mindful, staying in that precise moment, we can learn to recognize what is happening emotionally and then stand some chance of dealing with the emotion.
So how do we practically apply this?
The first step is to recognize that you are thinking negatively. Identify the thought, name it, shame it and realize that it serves you no worthwhile purpose.
I like the notion of RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT. Red is stop, Green is go. When you have a negative thought flash up the picture of a Red stop light. Slap yourself on the thigh or use some other physical cue to change the light to Green and immediately think of something positive and uplifting, or a reverse way of thinking. This will break the cycle and we call it Changing State. If you can satisfactorily change state, then you have won a small victory. The game or event will be an aggregation of thoughts and emotions and so through accumulating a series of small victories you can “Win” the game.
It will help enormously if you can have a “bank” of positive thoughts to draw on for different situations. You can forearm yourself in this emotional war. Chances are that you have a range of thoughts, that exist from previous events. Being human means we often succumb to dredging up our past failures. So, take some time to think over what has happened in the past and how your thinking has impacted the event. Recall and list the negative circumstances, think about the negative emotions that surfaced whilst in that mindset. Then think of something positive that you can use to replace the negative emotion. Commit that to memory, then use it. There is your trouble-shooter. It is impossible for the mind to hold a positive or negative thought at the same time, so by doing this you are creating a new positive mindset.
This Flipping technique can be used in all circumstances where there is a need to change a negative mindset. It is simple and it works.
Peter McKenzie
Peter McKenzie is certified in NLP, Hypnosis, Time-Line Therapy and Life Coaching. He’s a Level 2 Triathlon Australia Performance Coach, a Level 1 Rugby League Coach and has 45 years collective Sports Coaching experience in Triathlon, Cricket and Rugby League.
Peter is also father and mentor to one of Australia’s most successful long course triathletes – Luke McKenzie.
Peter is available for consultations to help improve your mindset and performance both in person and via Skype. To contact Peter please email [email protected]