What Does it Take to Win?
Most athletes and spectators assume the most talented team or athletes should always win.
Maybe they should, but that’s not always the case.
Even is your team is superior, results are not a foregone conclusion…
Often, the mentally tough team wins out.
I’m sure you played a superior opponent, but pulled off the upset. How did you accomplish this feat? Did you out think your opponent? Did you have the “I-have-nothing-to-lose” mindset? Did you out-prepare your opponent?
There are a number of reasons why the more talented team loses. Sometimes talented teams rely on their talent to pull out victories…
These teams may underestimate their opponents… They may not prepare for a tough battle… They may have a false sense of security because they see themselves as better…
They may only play hard at the end of a game when the score is closer than they thought it would be.
Winning requires a combination of talent, desire, and mental toughness.
What are the components of mental toughness?
- The will to prepare – Winning starts with full mental, physical and tactical preparation. Preparation is your battle plan. How do you need to prepare to ensure victory?
- Relentlessness – Winning requires that you push forward no matter what challenges you face.
- High effort or intensity – Success is always a matter of effort. Winners seek to outwork the opponents and dictate the flow of the game for the entire game.
- Focus on constant improvement – Winners do not buy into the attitude that “good is good enough.” Winners seek to continually develop and achieve their true potential.
- Motivation – Winners are driven to achieve a mutually agreed upon objective.All behavior in practice, training and games is directed towards achieving this goal.
- Habit – A winning mindset needs to be consistent. Winning requires that you put everything on the line every day.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Not tough enough?
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals four games to two.
The Warriors picked up where they left off last year winning their first 20 games while the Cavaliers have a 13-7 record to start their 2015-16 season.
Team leader Lebron James has called out his team saying they are just not mentally tough enough.
JAMES: “It’s not always about being Iron Man [physical toughness]. It’s a mental toughness as well — going out and doing your job, doing it at a high level and preparing that way before the tip even happens. So we got some guys who’ll do it and some guys that don’t do it consistently enough.”
James wants his teammates to, not just rely on the talent, but use their talent to work harder, prepare thoroughly and battle each second of every game.
JAMES: “We don’t pay attention to details as much. We don’t go out and battle when we’re supposed to. And it’s going to come to a point where every game, you’re going to be in a late-game situation or a game where you should’ve won by 10 instead of being a one- or two-possession game going down the stretch.”
Talent and Mental Toughness Equals Success
You have talent or you wouldn’t have achieved the level of success you have attained in your sport.
Sometimes talent can sabotage motivation because you think you just have to show up and you’ll win. Identify your assets. How can you push yourself every day and pay attention to the details what will help you reach peak performance?
Train or practice with a blue collar mentality where you use training opportunities to improve your skills and gain the mental edge.
Learn Confidence-Boosting Techniques!
D you have a negative self-image of yourself as an athlete that stifles confidence?
No matter ow positive you try to be, are you unable to shake the doubt that rushes into your head when you size up your competition?
Have you labeled yourself as a loser, poor closer, or mediocre athlete and these labels keep you stuck in a rut of self-pity and indecision?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, check out The Confident Athlete!
The Confident Athlete CD and workbook program is a 14-day plan for ultimate self-confidence. This program is ideal for any athlete or coach that wants to discover proven confidence-boosting techniques guaranteed to drastically build self-confidence and improve sports performance.
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Ultimate Self-Confidence
Check out all of the products in The Confident Athlete Series!
What are customers saying?
“I bought The Confident Athlete and I have to tell you it is one of the best investments I’ve ever made in sports (and I’ve made quite a lot!)” I am a top amateur racquetball player. I have multiple state and regional titles, and 2 national titles. Your approach and ideas have snapped me out of a slump that has lasted way too long. The sport is fun again and I am playing like my old self for the first time in a long time!”
~Mark Davis
For Mental Coaches – Add More Value To Your Mental Training Programs!
This workbook series was designed for coaches and mental coaches to use with their athletes.
The Athlete’s Mental Edge workbooks complement your existing mental training program. Each of the 15 workbooks in the Athlete’s Mental Edge System teaches your athletes a specific mental skill to improve their performance.
For mental coaches, this system is ideal for between session education.
For sports coaches, you’ll be able to conduct 15 team seminars using the workbook system.
In the Athlete’s Mental Edge workbook system, you receive 15 easy-to-read, practical Mental Edge Workbooks on PDF, as well as 16 coaches’ game plan MP3 audio files.
Athlete’s Mental Edge Workbook System
What are coaches saying?
“I’ll start by saying that the Mental Edge Workbook program is awesome. It put all the pieces together for my mental work with soccer players.”
~Eitan Azaria, Mental Coach for Soccer
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach, Dr. Patrick Cohn, can help you or your athlete(s), ages 12 and up, overcome mental game issues with personal 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 students saying?
“To compete at the highest level and perform your best, athletes need to train both physically and mentally. Peak Performance Sports and Dr. Cohn’s programs can help any athlete or team improve mental toughness and perform at their peak.”
~David M. Oliver, ATC/L., CSCS