As we have seen in previous posts, there are many skills athletes can acquire to succeed off the field. But the opposite is also true: some of the psychological tools that athletes use to boost their performance are easy to apply and can be used by anyone, on any walk of life.
Goal-Setting
Knowing how to set goals is the bedrock of any successful career regardless of your field of endeavor.
Goal-setting is particularly suited for athletes because their performance can be easily measured (in yards rushed, touchdowns scored, three-pointers made, and so on and so forth).
Follow their example and find ways to make your performance measurable: it can be the number of sales you close, the minutes you get to exercise, or the number of tasks you complete every day at work. Measure constantly, track your progress, and find ways to improve.
One important thing, though: make your goals reasonable and attainable and move through them in small increments. Setting unrealistic goals may lead to a sense of frustration and helplessness.
Visualization
Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes, and this applies even to the things we see only through the mind’s eye. That’s why visualization is such an important tool to reach your goals.
“When I play tennis, I visualize everything,” says Billie Jean King, the trail-blazing tennis player who’s considered one of the best of all time.
Just like athletes, you can enjoy the benefits of visualization. If you have tried meditation before, you may have a leg up, but even if you haven’t, you can get started today. Just follow the instructions below:
- Find a place that is comfortable and quiet.
- Assume a comfortable position and close your eyes.
- Focus on your breath. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
- Start imagining the goal you want to achieve.
- Make the images in your mind as detailed as possible: include colors, moods, sensations, smells, sounds, and anything else that comes to mind.
Visualizing your achievements in detail activates your problem-solving skills and nudges your mind into finding ways to arrive to the positive result you envision.
New Tech Outreach: Empowering Individuals and Changing Lives
At New Tech Outreach we assist athletes at all levels and the public at large with counseling, coaching, life skills training, and financial education. We aim to change lives by empowering individuals to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
We work with clients in Washington, Arizona, and all over the United States. Contact us today by email (info@newtechoutreach.com), telephone (202-412-4768), or through our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
