Mental Fear

Piggy-backing off lasts week post on Eat Motivation, there comes a time in health, fitness, and athletics where mental fear attempts to play. Some may see it as fear of failure or fear of success. Mental fear also falls into the preparation spectrum in that it is OK to see yourself fail. Just see yourself being picked up as well. Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls, often mentioned he took many shots that he missed. He missed buzzer-beaters and more. But, for those that saw him play live in the 80's and 90's know he prevailed after failing.

 He never stayed down...Why should you?

A true failure is not someone who fails. A true failure is someone who continues to fail and settles for it. Practice the mental imagery of seeing yourself progress through a health goal. Sure, in reality there may be mishaps; therefore, practice seeing those mishaps happen. For example, if you are working on lowering your high blood pressure (BP) or high cholesterol, then see yourself with a low BP or cholesterol. See yourself at the doctor's office, and he or she says that your BP still needs to be lower. Also, see the doctor praising your efforts. (Also see: An Exercise, A Wellness Trick, A Focus)

These health issues work like puzzles sometimes.

If you have a human performance goal, for example, making the varsity squad or walking/running up the steepest hill in your neighborhood or favorite park, then see yourself achieving these goals. See yourself sweat, ache, push, pull, cramp, speed through, hot, cold, tired, hungry, and thirsty. Honestly, I would like to say that you will 100% succeed. However, if there were a number to associate with this skill of mental imagery and overcoming mental fear, then it would be too easy and close-ended. Way too easy.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS          TEEM Performance Training         www.teempt.com