It’s All Mental

Have you ever wondered why some people are better “closers” than others?  Or why some people perform better under pressure?  I believe that much of the success that people have, especially at times of pressure are due to their mental preparedness.  In fact legendary NBA coach, Phil Jackson believed in it so much that he hired an expert in mindfulness to help him lead his team, the Chicago Bulls through mindful techniques and exercises.  His name is George Mumford and he would quickly become instrumental in the transformation of both Michael Jordan and Kobe Byrant.  “The Mindful Athlete” by George Mumford is a phenomenal read that hones in on some of the secrets that Jackson’s teams were taught.  One of the key takeaways from the book that I use daily is taking five minutes to meditate and be still before meetings or events.  This time is important for me to withdrawal from the hustle of the day and perform breathing techniques.  I never practice any complicated breathing techniques; just a simple deep breath in and deep breath out, and repeat.  This routine allows me to clear my mind and become aware of how I feel through each deep breath.  Finally, once I am complete with my meditation I am mentally ready to perform at a high level.

Have you ever played sports and the game clock is winding down and you have to make a decision but the game is moving to fast?  Or have you ever led a meeting and thought, “Wow, everything is going so fast and I have no time to think or adjust to my audience’s feedback?”  But as time passes you become more comfortable with the situation and your mind becomes better prepared.  Consistent mediation increases your preparedness so that the situations you are in move slower within your mind.  This allows you to increase your focus and if need be adjust your approach.  I have found that most of my struggles and problems have originated from anxiety or feeling rushed within a sport, a meeting, test, date, or interview.  Often times I would prepare for the engagement for days or even longer and feel confident in my abilities only to fall short.  The key for my success has been adding a five minute meditation session before events or situations that I must perform at my highest.  Instantly, I felt the positive results and that only continued to build my confidence.

Have you considered meditation or breathing techniques?  I challenge you to try it today, maybe start small and try deep breathing techniques for a minute and then build up from there.  Deep breath in, now deep breath out, focusing on how your body feels from your toes and gradually all the way up to your eyes and ears, then to the top of your head.  Focusing on your breath while you are exploring your body will help calm your heart and mind.  As you improve at practicing meditation you will start to notice that you will be able to think more clearer and your focus will increase.  Finally, you may notice that while you are “in the zone” or performing at your best; life moves a little slower and that allows you to make those necessary adjustments to come out on top.  So, let’s get after it today utilizing this tool to our advantage!