Mental game development is not only about the individual. Improving one’s confidence, connection with your purpose and those around you, a resilient attitude, nurturing your own purpose to reaching one’s goals all lay the foundation for inner game success. Yes, we need to spend time in solitude to achieve many of these qualities. Yet, the purpose is not about the individual’s success. We are not alone. NEVER. EVER.
Who we become through this inner game journey is our gift to our team, parents, coaches, and support circle. Even in individual sports like tennis, golf, and track and field, there is a team behind the sole person in the arena. And in team sports like baseball, softball, volleyball, and football the individual must honor their role- win the individual battle- for the team to be successful. When plays go bad, or officials make bad calls, you are the on the bench, the weather is not what you like, or whatever the excuse….what is your response? Are you a team player? Or do you devolve into selfish thoughts and behavior?
Those of you who have been coached by me know that I use he refrain: Are you a giver or taker? At any moment one can ask: is my behavior giving energy and elevating my performance and my teams or is my behavior taking energy and hurting my performance and thus my team? Do we elevate or do we delete? Add or subtract? No pouting, no dragging our feet, no whining, no complaining, no reps off, no plays off. Nothing comes easy in life. As we accept this maxim in our hearts and minds then we will make it true for the person/team we are competing with. They will feel our toughness, resilient attitude, and unbreakable bond.
Mental game development is not about you ultimately. It’s about elevating those around us.
Keep on grindin’ and believin’
Mental Game Athlete 