The Benefits of Having Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is what separates the good from great.
With mental toughness, you always have a fighting chance.
Mental toughness gives you the confidence needed to keep pushing forward despite the competitive situation.
The key component of mental toughness is the ability to focus on the challenge right in front of you.
You see, athletes that lack mental toughness have a misplaced focus.
Athletes that lack mental toughness suffer from two BIG problems:
- Frustration: Frustration over making mistakes, suffering losses or trailing in a competition. Frustration keeps an athlete’s mind stuck in the past, preventing them from seeing the opportunities in the present to turn the tide in their favor.
- Fear of Failure: Fear over bad outcomes or choking in critical moments in competition. Fear is future-based and, also, prevents you from focusing in the NOW or the things you need to do in the present in order to be successful.
So if you are looking to go from good to great, it is imperative that you work on your mental toughness.
There may be no greater and more mentally challenging situation like being down 3-0 in a best of seven series against a team that is favored to win the championship.
These are the exact circumstances that faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Championship.
The Cavaliers headed into the potential knockout game against the Golden State Warriors who steamrolled every team they had faced in their undefeated playoff run. The Warriors won the first three games of the series by an average of 15 points.
Many teams facing such an uphill battle might mentally give up in the next game but not the Cavaliers…
Cleveland came out in Game 4 attacking the basket from the opening whistle. Despite having their backs against the wall, the Cavaliers were laser-focused on Game 4 and played with a vengeance.
Not only did the Cavaliers put on a basketball clinic, they showed what mental toughness is all about… resiliency and attitude. The Cavaliers scored a record 49 points in the first quarter and went on to win 137-116, thus handing the Warriors their first loss of the 2017 playoffs.
Cavs Head coach, Tyronn Lue, talked about the mental toughness of the Cleveland squad.
LUE: “This is who we are. We’re a tough, resilient team. Guys were into it. We knew (the Warriors) were beatable, we knew we could play better, and this is the result you get when we’re at our best. You get down 3-0 and you’re fighting, you’ll do whatever it takes.”
Cavaliers veteran, Richard Jefferson, described mental toughness in this manner.
JEFFERSON: “We can beat them three times in a row. It’s going to be difficult. The chances might be 1 percent. But if a doctor told you you’re dying… and this treatment would give you a 1 percent chance, would you take it?”
Mental toughness gives you a chance and, in sports, anything can happen if given the chance.
Try this tip to improve your mental toughness:
Get your head in the game. Let go of mistakes quickly. That is to say, focus on the present. The past is over and no amount of regret or frustration will change it.
Tell yourself, “Anything can happen,” and look for ways to elevate your game. Stay focused on that game strategy through the game.
All you need is a chance if you stay mentally tough!
Start improving your mental toughness with The Focused Athlete audio and workbook program…
Improve Concentration in Sports!
If you’re an athlete who is frequently distracted, loses focus in competition, or wants to learn more about how to focus better under pressure, The Focused Athlete is for you!
Concentration and the ability to focus under adversity is what championship athletes do best.
It only takes one distraction to enter your mind for you to lose a critical point, miss a putt, or lose a second off your lap time. You cannot afford to let distractions run wild in your mind and cause you to make errors at critical times in the game!
The Focused Athlete is a complete system to teach you how to focus like a champion and harness the power of a zone focus every tie you step on the playing field, court, track or course in practice and games!
This workbook and CD program consists of 2 audio CDs that include 14 days of focus boosting exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through each of the 14 days, helps you apply strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal focus challenges.
Discover:
- How to quickly identify distractions that sabotage your concentration and how to quickly refocus after distractions.
- How to use pregame routines to help you harness the power of zone concentration before competition.
- How to use preshot routines before shots or serves to help you be more task-focused instead of worrying about results.
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Focused Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Superior Concentration
What are customers saying about our mental game programs?
“I can see that ‘The Confident Athlete Series‘ program is really sort of a lifestyle change. Just as weight loss involves a change in eating habits, confidence involves a change in thinking habits. I recently participated in a registered Skeet tournament and shot the best doubles score I’ve shot in four years. I attribute that score to your program!”
~Kevin Lutgen, Shooter
“As a result of reading and implementing ‘The Confident Athlete Series,’ I am once again enjoying golf and letting bad shots roll off my shoulders and appreciating my good shots without attaching expectations. Thanks Dr. Cohn!”
~Stu Blasius, P.G.A. Golf Professional
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
If you’re a top performer during practice but find yourself under-performing in competition, the most likely culprit holding you back is your mental game.
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with one-on-one personal mental game coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental game coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“I felt the time spent in your seminar was very well organized. The topics were great and you had the coaches communicating in an open atmosphere. Thanks again for your time and effort and I look forward to talking with you in the future.”*
~Coach Dave Wannstedt, Miami Dolphins
“I am a Brazilian coach in Tempe, AZ. I am the vice-president of the Arizona State Brazillian Jiujitsue Federation, long story short, I would like to say that you have a great program; you have been able to help me and my competitors. My fiancee, Kristina Barlaan, who just won two medals at the 2012 World Championship has also mentioned your program as a big help.”*
~Gustavo Dantas, Coach
Download Our FREE Mental Toughness Report!
Download your FREE Mental Toughness Report and discover if you are making one or more of theses ‘costly’ mental game mistakes before competition.
You’ll:
- Discover if those pregame jitters are positive or negative.
- Identify mistakes in your per-competition mental preparation.
- Learn the important pregame mental skills to perform your best.
- Learn how your mental game might sabotage your success in sports.
Download The FREE Mental Toughness Report:
You will also receive regular updates of more mental toughness tips to boost your performance in sports!
What are mental coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“Your powerful mental game coaching strategies have really helped my son Matt improve his racing and get to the top of his class in motocross racing. In fact, he won a National Championship with your help. Thank you.”*
~Dan Boni, Matt’s Father
“Dr. Cohn was very helpful in helping me get focused for competition. He taught me how to focus on the process, be confident in my abilities, and develop a preshot routine for shooting. I finished top five in the state with his help.”*
~Dave Gatlin, masters-level shooter