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Last week I wrote about mental toughness in a little different
light. I talked about the fact that the mind signals fatigue before an athlete
is actually physically done in. You can re-read this at Training
Camp: Get a jump on being mentally prepared
Because
of what we now understand about how the mind influences are physical ability to
practice and play to exhaustion I think it instructive to look at the "Mythical
Give 110 percent effort"
It is supposed to mean to work extra hard. Work harder than
you have been working. It is common to hear that phrase from coaches. What they
are trying to make you do is give everything you've got so you can separate
yourself from the other team.
Well if you give all you have, for each and every play, all
you can give is 100 percent. It is physically impossible to give more effort
than you physically have.
Now, if you give 100 percent physically, and your mind is
giving 50 percent, you just decreased your physical abilities by x percent.
Since we know as I discussed with you last week that the mind really does
control your fatigue level and consequently as this is a perception of effort,
if you are not in tune with your mental game, no way you are actually giving
100 percent to start with. Everything starts and ends with your mind. This
carries over of course into mental toughness. Generally this is where some
athletes lose it. Because they are not in control of their mind and start letting
fatigue drag them down they become overly aggressive. I'll talk about the
benefits of controlled aggression soon I promise. It is part of the game. Too
often we let aggression substitute for a lack of control and it is often
triggered by fatigue.
So does 110 percent exist? The answer is no. Most people
don't give 100 percent physically and if you don't give 100 percent physically,
you can be sure they are not giving 100 percent mentally. Some athletes are
physically gifted and can get by on their skills for a while. But at the level
you are playing most players skills are fairly equal, so where does the
difference come from? From the players ability to use effortless effort. To use
their mental strength to overcome physical signs of fatigue. To push on further
than everyone else. To become great.
What separates the good player from great player is the
strength of their mind. So give this a go; next time you play or train, give
100 percent physically and 100 percent mentally.
If you use your mental game plan there will maybe be one
other person doing that and you will automatically be ahead of the competition.
Most people won't do this, you can raise your game to another level by
understanding that for you to give the mythical 110 percent you must be 100
percent committed to you mental game.
The only two things you have complete control over are your
effort and your mental game.
Remember, "How you do anything is how you do everything!" Only a few understand the mental game without some help. This is crucial to your success and it is in your control.
To learn more about finding The Athlete within You Amazon is running a special
promotion August 29th and 30th. You can download a free
Kindle version of my book by going clicking here
The
Athlete within You on Amazon
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