Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving their goal; nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude. -Thomas Jefferson
At least half of everything we do is mental. Even in sports when it seems that many things are simply reactions, there is still, very much, a mental aspect to the game. You can just step up to the plate and use your talents to hit. That is true. But, you will be much more successful if you have studied the pitcher and know what he likes to throw in certain situations. A pitcher can step on the mound and get guys out with his skills, yes. But if he knows what hitters struggle with certain pitches he is going to be far better off in his craft. Even as a position player in the field the mental aspect of the game is important. This past year I read Cal Ripken Jr.'s book "Get in the Game" and found out some insightful things that he did as a shortstop. Cal was always looking for the upper hand in the game of baseball. During pregame meetings catchers and pitchers get together with the opposing teams scouting report and talk about how to pitch to hitters. Well Cal saw this as an opportunity and joined in on these meetings. By doing so Cal now knew how his pitcher planned to pitch to a certain hitter therefore he knew where to position himself in order to have the best chance at making a play. This proved to help him become more successful throughout his career. Cal used the mental side of the game to put himself into a better position to show off his talents.
Winning is also half mental. At least half. A person who sees himself, or his team, as a winner will have a hard time accepting a loss. Whereas a person who sees himself, or his team, as a loser is surprised by a win and not near as bothered by losing. To me, if losing doesn't bother you then you need to get out of athletics in a hurry because your not going to be too successful. Winning might not be everything but its pretty close to it. Think about how the great players and coaches are measured. By their wins and losses. In the December of 1997 Peyton Manning was one of the finalists for the Heisman trophy. He seemed to have put up the best numbers all year (and no I don't just say that because I'm a Tennessee fan) yet he didn't win because he never had beat the University of Florida in his 4 year career at Tennessee. He couldn't win the big game. This even carried over into his NFL career until he finally silenced the critics in 2007 by leading his team to a Superbowl victory.
Whether we like it or not the difference in being a winner and a loser lies, a lot of the time, between your ears. Now granted you can't think you are a winner and then suddenly overnight become one. You have to have the right tools and talents. But, even a guy with all the tools to be a champion will fall short if he doesn't think he is one.
The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do. -Dennis Waitley (famous author and keynote speaker)
At least half of everything we do is mental. Even in sports when it seems that many things are simply reactions, there is still, very much, a mental aspect to the game. You can just step up to the plate and use your talents to hit. That is true. But, you will be much more successful if you have studied the pitcher and know what he likes to throw in certain situations. A pitcher can step on the mound and get guys out with his skills, yes. But if he knows what hitters struggle with certain pitches he is going to be far better off in his craft. Even as a position player in the field the mental aspect of the game is important. This past year I read Cal Ripken Jr.'s book "Get in the Game" and found out some insightful things that he did as a shortstop. Cal was always looking for the upper hand in the game of baseball. During pregame meetings catchers and pitchers get together with the opposing teams scouting report and talk about how to pitch to hitters. Well Cal saw this as an opportunity and joined in on these meetings. By doing so Cal now knew how his pitcher planned to pitch to a certain hitter therefore he knew where to position himself in order to have the best chance at making a play. This proved to help him become more successful throughout his career. Cal used the mental side of the game to put himself into a better position to show off his talents.
Winning is also half mental. At least half. A person who sees himself, or his team, as a winner will have a hard time accepting a loss. Whereas a person who sees himself, or his team, as a loser is surprised by a win and not near as bothered by losing. To me, if losing doesn't bother you then you need to get out of athletics in a hurry because your not going to be too successful. Winning might not be everything but its pretty close to it. Think about how the great players and coaches are measured. By their wins and losses. In the December of 1997 Peyton Manning was one of the finalists for the Heisman trophy. He seemed to have put up the best numbers all year (and no I don't just say that because I'm a Tennessee fan) yet he didn't win because he never had beat the University of Florida in his 4 year career at Tennessee. He couldn't win the big game. This even carried over into his NFL career until he finally silenced the critics in 2007 by leading his team to a Superbowl victory.
Whether we like it or not the difference in being a winner and a loser lies, a lot of the time, between your ears. Now granted you can't think you are a winner and then suddenly overnight become one. You have to have the right tools and talents. But, even a guy with all the tools to be a champion will fall short if he doesn't think he is one.
The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do. -Dennis Waitley (famous author and keynote speaker)
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