Mantras for Achieving Your Goals - Mental Strength

I never considered myself one to talk about mental strength - I don't like being tired, cold, or hungry (go figure!). And yet many amazing opportunities over the last couple of years have shown me first-hand some fundamental principles of mental strength that can help you achieve your goal. Take mountain bike racing for example - I picked up this fun racing sport for three reasons. During my first racing season, I came to a stark realization (a true 'aha' moment) - you have to believe you can win AND believe you deserve to win. It was that realization (on that day) that gave me not just my first victory in mountain bike racing, but first victory EVER!

If you are training for a race or specific goal, below are the top four important mental 'mantras' for achieving your goal -

1. FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS

• FOCUS on your goal and know what you want (be it a marathon finish time, 10 -foot wave, snowboarding down black diamonds).


• FOCUS on the present moment and then breath (see 'jedi powers'). When you get fatigued, cold, or hungry (because it will happen and be painful), breath and focus on your next move. One step at a time.


• FOCUS on your body and movements. This applies to those sports where there is no damage control - it's do or... well...hit hard! Focus on your weight in your feet, keep your core engage and awake, and relax your shoulders.

2. "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER... GIVE UP"

This was the famous last words when talking to Paul Romero before setting out for my first adventure race. The mind does tricky things when you embark on a long and painful 'adventure'. It is like having two 'mental' doors - "you can" door and "you can't" door. The fatigue and pain will play games on your mind and you may be tempted to go into the 'you can't door. Stay away from that door and don't even think it. If you give even a second thought to "you can't" - you're done. This has nothing to do with your physical state - it's all mental. Refer to #1 -- Focus on your goal - and yes YOU CAN!!

3. SUPPORT

Surround yourself with people and places where you feel supported. Friends who love the sport, friends who have seen you train, family who believes in you. When you are feeling low and in the dumps, their words of encouragement will be as welcome as that cup of water on a hot day.

4. BELIEVE

Believe it, feel it, own it! You have to believe you can do it and visualize your goal as clearly as possible.

I remember those moments fondly after my mountain bike race, after my adventure race, after running last few miles with a client in a half marathon - those goals that were achieved were not hard physically... it was all mental. How well could you focus and believe. When friends and family were present, I was so excited to share with them in my achievements and how grateful I was that they were there. The funny thing about achieving your goals...you set new ones and the process starts over as you continue to overcome new obstacles.

Focus & Believe!

Chi

** oh, as far as those three reasons for racing - learn new places to ride, feel safe when riding alone, see how fast I can ride.