Up Close with James Blake
Click on the link below to watch the video!
https://go.getcharly.com/pIPl/S8nGKpFuWH
Checkout the latest Mental Toughness Chat with Former Top 4 tennis player in world James Blake!
In this video James and I discuss how:
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#1 Mental Tip to Staying Calm Under Pressure
One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is the mistake of giving away their power. Think of power as an actual ball of energy that you carry with you wherever you go. This ball of energy is filled with confidence, positivity, maximum focus, and an ability to keep fighting no matter what happens. When athletes lose focus, what they are doing is passing their ball of energy or "power" to someone or something else.
Below are some examples of when athletes and teams give away their power.
Mental Toughness Chat with Jimmy Arias
http://www2.getcharly.com/en/embed/59dbe2a7b6231916169973f0
Checkout the latest Mental Toughness Chat with Former Top 5 tennis player in world Jimmy Arias. Jimmy arias is also a commentator for The Tennis Channel. Here we discuss topics from a players point a view and a broadcaster point of view such as struggling with confidence, choking, mental toughness skills, and some of Jimmy's toughest losses such as his semifinal match at the 1983 US Open against Stefan Edberg.
To Go Big You Must First Go Small
Champion athletes understand that in order to perform to their full potential they must stay focused on the right objective. However, when the pressure becomes greater, the mind naturally wants to go elsewhere. Thoughts of potential mistakes, disappointments, and other forms of worry start compiling in the athlete's mind depleting the athlete's focus from the present task.
Below is one tip I strongly recommend athletes practice. This tip will help restructure your thought patterns into successful performances under pressure.
How to Master Your Emotions
One of the most common questions asked at SPMI is why do some athletes get so emotional when under pressure?
First, we must look at the root of an emotional response. Science has discovered that the number #1 reason why athletes have emotions is due to Survival. Emotions are there to help individuals survive because they help prepare the body for action.
Struggling Produces Champions
Struggling is one of the most important skills to success. Yes, I did mention that struggling is a skill. This skill, also known as, delaying gratification has been proven to produce more success than any other skill athletically, academically, and in life. There are even studies in developmental psychology that show the significant benefits that struggling has on becoming more successful in life.
Debunking The Lazy Athlete Myth
One of the greatest challenges I face among some athletes who are new to the program at SPMI are those who struggle to push themselves hard enough to reach their goals. Many athletes, coaches, and even parents may interpret this lack of drive as laziness or lack of passion. However, in many cases, the lack of effort and commitment is not caused by laziness but instead by a lack of positive vision.
Debunking The Myth of Performance Data
At SPMI, I have worked with athletes in over 35 sports. One key component every sport focuses on is the emphasis on performance data. For example, in baseball, players are focused on areas such as batting average or ERA. In Tennis, players are tracking first serve percentage, number of unforced errors, Golfers are big on shooting low scores, and greens in regulation. No matter the sport, data measures performance and success. But is performance data a good thing to focus on during an athlete’s performance?
Becoming The Best Athlete in The World
Mastering self-discipline is more than just a habit, it is a powerful and unstoppable mindset. When athletes make the decision to do things without the reminder from others and without the presence of others, this is when they become self-disciplined. Self-discipline is a skill that is not flashy, in fact it is a skill that often goes without being noticed at all.
Practice These 3 Tips to Performing Better Under Pressure
An athlete's focus the day of competition often differs from other days. On non-competition days, many athletes are training hard, working on their weaknesses while strengthening their strengths. However, on competition days athletes may seem tenser, more serious, and in some cases, quieter. This time of readiness is one that many athletes take too seriously. Depending on the time of the event, athletes may separate themselves from their team, reflecting on their upcoming performance and isolating themselves from any distraction that could “harm” their focus and overall result.