3 Ways To Build A Winners Mentality

A large part of high performance is having your mentality or mindset in the right place to support you to do what you need to do.

I've got three great tips for you to help you improve that mindset based of both my years as an athlete and my years coaching athletes at the highest levels of their sports.

Now I'm no sports psychologist, and there is a lot more to this than I can offer, but these are simple thoughts that you can bring to the forefront of your mind that can really help when in a competitive environment.

1. Break Big Things Into Small Chunks

When faced with a big challenge, it's near essential to break it down into smaller chunks.

For some this is breaking down their goal of losing 10kg into losing the first 2kg, or even better to something actionable like sticking to 3 main meals and one snack per day for the next week.

It helps bring focus to what you can control right now, which will in-turn determine your actual outcome.

In a sporting sense this could be breaking down a long distance like my upcoming ultra-marathon into smaller time blocks, distances, or landmarks.

"Tackle this incline a minute at a time". "Run the flat, jog the decline, walk that incline". "Pick the pace up at that hedge".

In a court sport it may be "win the next point", "get the next serve in" or "get to the next timeout ahead".

In football or rugby it may be "let's play the next 10 minutes in their half", or "we're getting pummelled here so let's keep it simple for 10 minutes and keep the ball".

In a functional fitness comp it may be breaking a big number of reps into 5s or 10s punctuated by a few breaths to keep moving.

Whatever it is, staying in the moment and keeping your focus on something achievable can really help your performance.

2. Focus On Your Abilities

Something I learned later in my playing career was to focus on what I could do, and not so much on what the opposition can do. It was huge for my confidence.

I was predominantly a defensive player as a middle blocker in volleyball, playing against exceptional players with distinct advantages and higher abilities.

But remembering that I was playing against them because of what I could do was huge. I was there for a reason. I can compete because I've earned the right to be there.

So I increasingly focussed on what I could do. I could be quicker. I could keep running my attack approach. I could put a hand up and slow the ball down.

And I could get the fuck out of the way when someone more skilled was required.

All of those things helped the team, allowed us and me personally to compete at a high level.

This could translate to the powerlifter with a huge bench and deadlift but a relatively weaker squat who needs to bank a number that puts him in with a chance 6 lifts later (he did).

You're there for a reason, and sure you can and should know what your opponent is bringing to the table, but you can cause them problems too and take the game to them just as much.

3. Maintain Discipline

How often do you think the best athlete in the world switch from plan A and decide to fight fire with fire instead?

How often do you think the best in the world break their routines and habits that got them to the pinnacle of their sport in the first place?

The answer to both is very, very rarely.

What got you there will very likely keep you there, or let you finish the job. It's a similar concept to focussing on your abilities.

There are often fine lines between your opponent winning (forcing the issue and earning a goal/win/point) and you losing (unforced errors/poor execution/going off plan).

And even if things aren't going well and things need to change, throwing the baby out with the bathwater often isn't the way to go. Things don't often need to change much.

You keep doing the things that structure your game usually, then sprinkle on a little more risk a little more often.

Keep putting your serves in an area that sets up your first play, but hit it a little harder, deeper or try and hit their weaker side.

Don't switch from kick based territory to expansive ball in hand on your own try line. Focus on executing your kicks better and making them competitive.

Don't chase the team in the lane next to you who appear to be kicking your ass, especially if you're unaware of whether they're actually pacing the thing right. Keep your eye on them and take in the information, but don't immediately chase them down.

Don't chose your final deadlift weight based off what someone else hasn't pulled yet. The only lifts that count towards a total are completed lifts.

Play what's in front of you with the abilities you have.

Thanks,

Ian.