Mind Gym: An Athlete’s
Guide To Inner Excellence
Guide To Inner Excellence
By Gary Mack and David
Casstevens
Most athletes focus simply
on the physical aspect of a sport. Of course, one should do everything they can
in order to be in top condition; the secret to reaching a goal has more to do
than just the body. Our minds have more power than expected,
with more and more athletes realizing that it can make or break a performance.
Strengthening and training
the mind will require a little extra time, but the results have proven to be
outstanding. Many athletes already have a strong mentality to keep them
motivated, but they are doing a few things wrong that ‘Mind Gym’ explains. For
example, in one chapter Mack and Casstevens reveal the effect of positive
repetition to oneself. Say that you can AND will do something in order to get
the desired result instead of focusing on something that you should not do. Say
to yourself “Do not hit this golf ball in the water” and your chances of that
ball landing in the water have massively increased. We may be on the track to
doing a few things correctly, but there are tricks to the madness that must be
learned and practiced.
the mind will require a little extra time, but the results have proven to be
outstanding. Many athletes already have a strong mentality to keep them
motivated, but they are doing a few things wrong that ‘Mind Gym’ explains. For
example, in one chapter Mack and Casstevens reveal the effect of positive
repetition to oneself. Say that you can AND will do something in order to get
the desired result instead of focusing on something that you should not do. Say
to yourself “Do not hit this golf ball in the water” and your chances of that
ball landing in the water have massively increased. We may be on the track to
doing a few things correctly, but there are tricks to the madness that must be
learned and practiced.
Throughout the book there
are techniques and lessons on learning how to master the mind in sports. One
instrumental practice said to be a huge help is meditation before competing.
Meditate about your greatest moments, and picture yourself doing everything
right once again in an upcoming event. “If you take twenty athletes of equal
ability and give ten mental training they will outperform the ten who received
no mental training every time. This is what we call the head edge.” There is no
arguing the facts. It’s time to get ahead of the game by preparing mentally.
are techniques and lessons on learning how to master the mind in sports. One
instrumental practice said to be a huge help is meditation before competing.
Meditate about your greatest moments, and picture yourself doing everything
right once again in an upcoming event. “If you take twenty athletes of equal
ability and give ten mental training they will outperform the ten who received
no mental training every time. This is what we call the head edge.” There is no
arguing the facts. It’s time to get ahead of the game by preparing mentally.
For the full
understanding, ‘Mind Gym’ relates a myriad of experiences that prove just how
successful a person with a robust mind can be. There are probably thousands of
tremendously useful quotes throughout the book, including “A positive mental
attitude is essential to becoming the hero that is within you” and “Fear of
failure makes failure more likely.”
understanding, ‘Mind Gym’ relates a myriad of experiences that prove just how
successful a person with a robust mind can be. There are probably thousands of
tremendously useful quotes throughout the book, including “A positive mental
attitude is essential to becoming the hero that is within you” and “Fear of
failure makes failure more likely.”
There exists TWO answers
to improving a performance and it is time that people start focusing more on
the incredible power of the mind and not just the body.
to improving a performance and it is time that people start focusing more on
the incredible power of the mind and not just the body.
-Keep this book in mind
for either your present or future self, a family or friend. Give them the
advice they have been looking for.-
for either your present or future self, a family or friend. Give them the
advice they have been looking for.-
Blog post by 2014 Summer Intern Geena
Franciosi.
Franciosi.
