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On the Sports Edge with Jeff Greenwald (Q & A)
(Taken from past published articles )
How can athletes improve their state of mind in competition?
"As you compete, begin noticing what you say to yourself during competition. As the pressure builds, you may notice your focus shifting to the thought of results. Catch this early and turn it around in your mind. Remind yourself to compete hard, that you love competition and continue playing one point or shot at a time. Remember, you are playing for the future and this match is only a stepping stone toward your long-range goals."
There's much talk about the zone in performance situations. What is the zone exactly and is it possible to reach this state of mind more often?
"Yes, definitely. Athletes and top performers in any high-performance arena can learn to develop the calmness and focus they need to reach the zone more consistently with preparation routines and body awareness. It simply requires training, just like technique or physical conditioning. In this state we feel unstoppable in the moment. We feel an almost supreme confidence in our ability to perform. The nerves are gone and so is that constant internal dialogue. We are ready to roll. We feel in total control and enjoy every second of it. But how to take advantage of its awesome power...that is what defines champions."
Many successful performers and athletes talk about being "loose"and focused when they are performing at their peak. How can players achieve this balance between "loose and intensely motivated?
"The biggest challenge for top performers is to remain physically relaxed in competition and still maintain a high level of focus. This is a mind-body experience that develops by being totally present and absorbed in a particular task. By focusing our energy on what we are doing in the moment with positive energy, this balance can be achieved with a great degree of consistency."
Aren't pre-competition nerves necessary to compete at a high level?
"Pre-match anxiety must be viewed as a positive contributor to peak performance. Individuals in all walks of life have realized tremendous accomplishments by using their anxiety to fuel their motivation and narrow their focus. Whether it's in sports, business or in life, we must learn to cherish this very normal and very useful emotion."
Fear seems like it plays a big role in the difference between top performers and the average. What happens to people under pressure?
"Fear of making errors is a common problem in performance situations. Under pressure, fearful performers often revert to old patterns, which undermine their confidence and ability to make successful decisions in the heat of the moment. This process, however, becomes a vicious cycle - the more tentative you are, the tighter and more nervous you feel - a recipe for an abysmal day of performance. To turn the situation around, top performers learn to slow down their mind, take a deep breath, and act the way they want to feel."
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