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Master these four aspects ofmental toughness, and you’ll perform better under pressure at any timeinanythingyou do.
The quicker you’re free to bounce back from mishaps, the quicker you’ll find success.
Fact-Check Your Thoughts.To avoid getting stuck in “I’m no good"mode, watch your inner dialogue.
“We almost always distort things after a loss,” Dr. Lardon says.
Just because you were edged out by someone else doesn’t mean you’re talentless or unworthy.
Instead, check your accuracy.
Chances are, you made one mistake.
“When you restate what really happened, you’ll feel better quickly,” he says.
Move On.Don’t replay your lowlights reel; cap rumination at 10 minutes, author Bob Rotella says.
“Feeding your subconscious mistakes only helps you make them.”
Believing you’ve got the option to win makes it more likely to actually happen.
“There is no such thing as too much confidence,” author Jim Afremow says.
“That’s like saying your eyesight is too good.”
Trusting in your own abilities helps you perform, whereas second-guessing can lead to overtrying.
Act Like a Champ.
Standing tall increases confidence, perhaps by boosting levels of testosterone.
“It definitely does help.”
Amp Up Your Energy.Wie credits her comeback in part to her no-refined-sugar diet and new two-hour, six-day-a-week workout.
Energy boosts physical and mental confidence, psychologist Jim Loehr says.
Talent alone isn’t enough.
You need perseverance, too.
Find YourWhy.Have a reason bigger than yourself that makes all the work worth it.
“You’ll feel you have a destiny to fulfill.”
Fall in Love.When things get tough, write down everything you once loved about pursuing your dream.
“It’s like any relationship,” Rotella says.
Win Every Day.Write down daily action steps to help you get closer to your long-term goal, Afremow says.
Wie agrees: “I really don’t think about the big picture at all.
I just give a shot to break it down as small as I can.”
Varying between high and low intensity is key.
“But nerves are just your body getting ready to perform.
You need that energy, so let it flow.”
Take Breaks.keep your focus for when you need it most.
Instead, break for 15 minutes each hour.
Photo Credit: Sam Kweskin
