Mindfulness and Athletic Performance
From training and preparation through to the moment of execution of any trained skill or ability, mindfulness is key to consistent and optimal performance in any athletic endeavour.
Preparation is commonly the most demanding aspect of athletic performance. Discipline, focus, and determination have to be present day after day for months, possibly years at a time. The athlete is required to manage lifestyle choices and habits along with the actual training. Considering what is required for success regarding these issues it is clear that it is too a mental challenge in every aspect. Cravings, distractions and any apathy will always be enemies of the athlete. As with many of our shortcomings, these detrimental mental habits we all face have the power to shift our focus and energy away from the longer term goals. Without this focus, motivation and discipline will inevitably suffer.
Can you think of any habits that lead you away from complete commitment to your athletic endeavour? Expand on how you could achieve more if you were free of them.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The most effective means by which these can be overcome is with constant awareness and mindfulness of the direction and desired destination. This concept is not new to us and is related to single mindedness, an aspect of one mindedness (lesson 2). Single mindedness means to have a determined, overriding purpose or goal that directs moment to moment actions and decisions, as opposed to having each moments actions and decisions driven by aspects of that particular moment. In order to make progress over an extended period of time regarding a specific goal one needs to be consistently moving in a direction toward the goal.
For the negative habits and actions you listed above, how could a constant awareness of the bigger goals help you overcome the craving, aversion or apathy? In moments of difficulty how could you be motivated to behave differently?
Bad Habit
_________________________________________________________________________
New Motivation
_________________________________________________________________________
Actions and decisions are thus to be driven by a consistent motivation rather than fluctuating circumstances and so constant awareness of our direction is necessary. This is only possible if one is separated and objective enough toward their momentary mental activities so as not to be consumed by them and thus miss out on the opportunity to redirect them. This state of being capable of observing thoughts objectively is a foundation of mindfulness. Mindfulness and certain capacities that accompany it such as the ability to be single minded are the tools the athlete needs in order to overcome these obstacles by maintaining awareness of the goal so as to make the decisions that will lead the athlete in the appropriate direction for success possible.
Focus, control and consistency of our mental states then become critical when game day eventually arrives. Dealing with pressure and stress, as well as manifesting complete focus and concentration, are a large part of being able to find that mental space, ‘the zone’, that is so necessary for predictable, consistent and quality sporting performance. Meditation, mindfulness and related therapies are some of the most effective tools available for the management of stress and need to be utilized as such. Many an athlete has fallen short not due to a lack of skill or ability, but rather to pressure, stress and the resultant mental states not allowing them access to their potential.
In order to access this potential it has been found that flow, the zone, or one mindedness are key (Young & Pain, 1999). These terms describe a mental state in which an individual is completely absorbed in the task or activity being engaged with in the present moment. This state has been found to be associated with peak performance across a wide range of athletes and sports (Young & Pain, 1999). This brings us to one of the pillars of mindfulness; one mindedness. Within the very essence of mindfulness is acting with an undivided attention. This is a peak of concentration and focus itself and permits utilisation of the mind and body to act with all effectiveness.
One mindedness and effective action, pillars of mindful living, are key elements of the mental states of many, if not all of the most proficient athletes and sports people on the planet. Ergo they then become critical considerations, for anybody seeking to improve their performance, to work toward developing.
Preparation is commonly the most demanding aspect of athletic performance. Discipline, focus, and determination have to be present day after day for months, possibly years at a time. The athlete is required to manage lifestyle choices and habits along with the actual training. Considering what is required for success regarding these issues it is clear that it is too a mental challenge in every aspect. Cravings, distractions and any apathy will always be enemies of the athlete. As with many of our shortcomings, these detrimental mental habits we all face have the power to shift our focus and energy away from the longer term goals. Without this focus, motivation and discipline will inevitably suffer.
Can you think of any habits that lead you away from complete commitment to your athletic endeavour? Expand on how you could achieve more if you were free of them.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The most effective means by which these can be overcome is with constant awareness and mindfulness of the direction and desired destination. This concept is not new to us and is related to single mindedness, an aspect of one mindedness (lesson 2). Single mindedness means to have a determined, overriding purpose or goal that directs moment to moment actions and decisions, as opposed to having each moments actions and decisions driven by aspects of that particular moment. In order to make progress over an extended period of time regarding a specific goal one needs to be consistently moving in a direction toward the goal.
For the negative habits and actions you listed above, how could a constant awareness of the bigger goals help you overcome the craving, aversion or apathy? In moments of difficulty how could you be motivated to behave differently?
Bad Habit
_________________________________________________________________________
New Motivation
_________________________________________________________________________
Actions and decisions are thus to be driven by a consistent motivation rather than fluctuating circumstances and so constant awareness of our direction is necessary. This is only possible if one is separated and objective enough toward their momentary mental activities so as not to be consumed by them and thus miss out on the opportunity to redirect them. This state of being capable of observing thoughts objectively is a foundation of mindfulness. Mindfulness and certain capacities that accompany it such as the ability to be single minded are the tools the athlete needs in order to overcome these obstacles by maintaining awareness of the goal so as to make the decisions that will lead the athlete in the appropriate direction for success possible.
Focus, control and consistency of our mental states then become critical when game day eventually arrives. Dealing with pressure and stress, as well as manifesting complete focus and concentration, are a large part of being able to find that mental space, ‘the zone’, that is so necessary for predictable, consistent and quality sporting performance. Meditation, mindfulness and related therapies are some of the most effective tools available for the management of stress and need to be utilized as such. Many an athlete has fallen short not due to a lack of skill or ability, but rather to pressure, stress and the resultant mental states not allowing them access to their potential.
In order to access this potential it has been found that flow, the zone, or one mindedness are key (Young & Pain, 1999). These terms describe a mental state in which an individual is completely absorbed in the task or activity being engaged with in the present moment. This state has been found to be associated with peak performance across a wide range of athletes and sports (Young & Pain, 1999). This brings us to one of the pillars of mindfulness; one mindedness. Within the very essence of mindfulness is acting with an undivided attention. This is a peak of concentration and focus itself and permits utilisation of the mind and body to act with all effectiveness.
One mindedness and effective action, pillars of mindful living, are key elements of the mental states of many, if not all of the most proficient athletes and sports people on the planet. Ergo they then become critical considerations, for anybody seeking to improve their performance, to work toward developing.