5-26-17
90/10
If 90% of the game is mental, why do most coaches and teams spend less than 10% on it?
Yesterday I had the opportunity to present to 11 student athletes and some of their parents about mindset and how the mind can be an advantage if you know how to use it for your benefit. We covered so many things that I got great feedback from the parents and the students that I know if they incorporated at least one of the techniques it will help them improve their overall performance and therefore be more successful on the field.
So, my question, why doesn’t more coaches and parents work on the mental aspects of their sport? It has been proven over and over that when you have the mental toughness, a healthy mindset you are not only more successful on the field you are more likely to experience more success in their personal and professional life.
Studies done by Stanford and Harvard continue to show us that when people have a clear sense of who they are and where they are going they are more hopeful than those who don’t. The CDC recently concluded that 40% of all teens feel hopeless, and that as a result they feel helpless and worthless. These feelings increase their fear and their self-doubt. The feeling of worthlessness creates a belief that they are not worthy and when teens have the feeling of helplessness and worthlessness it leads to poor behavior and often reckless behavior. By teaching teens how to identify their dreams and how to set and achieve their goals it helps to build self-confidence, hope and direction.
One of the last things I shared with the players and parents was how Positive Intelligence or PQ, and if exercised in the same way you work out at the gym, players can gain an advantage and begin to play in that zone that all great athletic performances comes from. When their physical exertion becomes effortless and flows. They report suddenly experiencing deep calm and relaxation, a cessation of mind-chatter, and a laser focus on the ball and the basket or whatever the game requires. When a PQ is at a high level, then the percentage of your brain that is working for you or against your negative thoughts.
If coaches and parents really understand how to improve the 90/10 disparity then the player benefits on the field and off.
“The strength of your mind determines the quality of your life.” ― Edmond Mbiaka