Headstrong Mindset LLC

Mental performance consulting for athletes, coaches, performing artists and teams of all types.

Mindfulness

Using Routines to Mentally Prepare for Competition on the Road

Concentration, Confidence, Flow & Playing in the Zone

In a typical season most teams play 50% or more games “away” from home or on the road. And yet, very few teams actually prepare for the differences between competing at home and away. The sheer number of away competitions that athletes can expect to experience demonstrates the importance of mentally preparing athletes to compete on the road.

One of the most effective mental performance strategies to help athletes adjust to discomfort and dysregulation that comes with playing away is for athletes to develop a pre-competition routine. A pre-competition routine or systematic ritual serves to increase athlete confidence and improve concentration (Vernacchia, McGuire, & Cook, 1996). To mentally prepare athletes for away competition, it can also be helpful to ask questions such as: What do you miss the most when you are competing away from home (Gardner & Moore, 2004)?

[Read more…] about Using Routines to Mentally Prepare for Competition on the Road

Mindful Awareness: It’s All About Where Your Mind’s At

Concentration, Flow & Playing in the Zone

It is widely known that Michael Jordan, the greatest NBA basketball player of all-time, had a devoted mindfulness practice influenced by Phil Jackson and George Mumford.

One of my favorite quotes about MJ, is from the documentary The Last Dance, in which Mark Vancil, the editor of Rare Air, describes Michael Jordan’s mind… “Michael is a mystic. He was never anywhere else. His gift wasn’t that he could jump high, run fast, shoot a basketball. His gift was that he was completely present.”

So, how did Michael do it? And how can you can learn to block out distractions and focus completely on the present moment? To answer these questions, I want to first define the term Mindful Awareness.

What is Mindful Awareness?

My favorite definition of mindful awareness or mindfulness was coined by Jon Kabat Zinn. Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.

Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”

Jon Kabat Zinn
[Read more…] about Mindful Awareness: It’s All About Where Your Mind’s At