BEASTMIND TIPS
This page consists of tips for your mental game. Dr. Novetsky refers to these as Beastmind Tips because he believes it takes a Beast of a Mind to be successful in the most competitive situations in sports and in life.
W.I.N.
WIN is an acronym for What’s Important Now. This acronym is used by sport psychologists and performance coaches to help athletes stay focused on the most important thing in the present moment. By reminding yourself to WIN you begin to focus on the next pitch, the next play, and the next shot and not on the most recent blunder, mistake, or future event etc.
The WIN approach works like this: Before each play or shot etc. or if you find your mind wandering tell yourself to WIN. Take a deep breath, quickly review the situation, think about what you need to execute and visualize yourself being successful. Consider the steps or process and not the outcome. If you focus on the process, the outcome will take care of itself.
If you would like more information and coaching on this practice and many others contact me to make an appointment.
ADVERTISE TO YOURSELF
Why do successful companies like Nike, Gatorade and Coca Cola spend millions of dollars on advertising? The answer is simple, because it works! We are aware of and buy their products because they make thousands of brand impressions on our minds. As athletes we need to use the process advertising to ourselves. We need to bombard our minds with our goals, positive self-talk, positive self-image statements and inspirational messages as much as possible.
I learned of this strategy after reading the book Seeds of Success by John Brubaker. Coach Brubaker calls it “Advertising To Yourself.” He offers that we must think like a successful business and impress our goals etc. on our minds much like companies do so well. For example, when we finish a workout and need to hydrate we do not think about grabbing a Sam’s Club electrolyte drink. No, we immediately think of buying a Gatorade. We do this because of the brand impressions they have made on our minds. The point is, we need to do the same with our goals, positive self-talk and image statements because “what you see and think about, you bring about.”
Once your determine your goals, positive self-talk and inspirational messages you want to live by; write them down on several things such as a card you keep in your car, wallet, purse, and on your mirror or nightstand This is a great strategy to impress on your mind what you want to be focused on to become a #Beastmind Athlete.
If you would like more information and coaching on this practice and many others contact me to make an appointment.
Pre-Performance Routines
The key to high quality execution is having a pre-performance routine. A routine is a strategy that helps you block out distractions or mental traps and gets you focused in the present moment and on task. When you are locked in on your routine there is no room in your mind for uncomfortable or negative thoughts. Elite athletes create and commit to their routines regardless of the circumstances. Watch this video to learn about this #BeastMind Tip
KILLER INSTINCT
"WE ALL HUNT DIFFERENTLY"
In an interview with LeBron James in ESPN the Magazine LeBron was asked by ESPN the Magazine’s Chris Broussard about the media’s portrayal of his lack of a killer instinct despite his incredible success. His response was very insightful referencing the animal shows that he watches on the Discovery Channel. LeBron explained like animals, athletes hunt differently as it relates to obtaining prey or in sports, attempting to dominate an athletic competition.
He said the following:
“I’ll just put it this way, man. There are different ways to hunt. I watch the Discovery Channel all the time, and you look at all these animals in the wild. And they all hunt a different way to feed their families. They all kill a different way. Lions do it strategically — two females will lead, and then everybody else will come in. Hyenas will just go for it. There are different ways to kill, and I don’t think people understand that. People want everybody to kill the same way. Fans want me to kill like MJ or kill like Kobe. Magic didn’t kill the way they killed. Does that mean he didn’t have a killer instinct? Kareem didn’t either. But does that mean Kareem didn’t have a killer instinct? The same with Bird. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a killer instinct. Tim Duncan don’t kill like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but I’ve played against Tim Duncan twice in the Finals and I know for sure he’s got a killer instinct.”
We can learn a lot from this mindset. While we are coached to have a killer instinct and get after our opponent or finish off a competition, not everyone approaches this the same way. As athletes and coaches we need to be mindful of individual differences and make sure we stay within ourselves and understand our self-image to achieve success. Thanks LeBron!
If you would like more information and coaching on this practice and many others contact me to make an appointment.