'Sports is a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and achieving against great odds. Athletes, in times of difficulty, can be important role models.' - Bill Bradley 

Professional sportsmen have an inner map they can access when it matters. The greatest achievements in sports are rarely accomplished during training sessions. Peak performances are the result of above-average efforts in competitive situations - not only in the sports sector. They are beneficial to us in any kind of complicated situations: relationship issues, challenging projects or considerable social changes or threats, for instance.

So how come that we are able to perform above average when it comes right down to it?

Competitive performance 

'Competitive sports are played mainly on a five-and-a-half inch court - the space between your ears.' Bobby Jones

Top athletes desire (and furthermore need) to be self-confident. They want to maintain positive self-talk and be dedicated to what they need to do well. Professional sportsmen expect to handle their emotions so that they don’t hurt their performance. They furthermore deal with expectations of themselves and others, and need to manage their own  reactions in front of their challengers. 

Are you hearing the message? It all comes down to the ability of self-control. 

Competition mostly happens in our head. 

Many athletes claim that their pressure is considerably higher during competitions. The questions is: which pressure? In case of professional sportsmen they usually refer to the media. 

But if they were sincere, they would admit that they are the ones who raise the pressure on themselves. 

Pressure is mostly self-made. Thus, it´s important to get rid of all these irrational thougths which slow our head down. 

Heteronomy (external determination) never feels really good - neither in sports challenges nor at any other playing field. We have much more influence on our own achievements than we actually believe. We tend to measure our personal success by the opinion, applause or respect expected to be given by others, instead of focussing on ourselves and our contentment. 

When we are best in the spotlight 

The ones of you who have ever been performing on stage, will know. 

First, the adrenaline arises. Then your self-doubt almost kills you. And then you´re going to do the best performance of your lifetime. 

That happens because you are FOCUSSED. Some of you may also know that effect from job interviews. You´re nervous, like always a lot (your future) is going to depend on only a few minutes. But that´s exactly what counts: your consiousness. 

In any competitive situation, it’s absolutely natural that your adrenaline starts to pump, your palms get sweaty, your heart beats faster and you feel butterflies in your stomach. 

But when you toe the line for a big race or you’re in the middle of a high-stakes game, then you must be able to stay connected with the present moment. It´s that moment when you feel that IT´S NOW OR NEVER. 

While some degree of mental alteration is normal in athletics, it´s important to find a way to moderate that stress.  

There is an interesting study called Relationships between mindfulness, flow dispositions and mental skills adoption (Source) which found out the following:

People who report a greater sense of mindfulness are more likely to experience a higher state of flow (the feeling of being totally in the moment which has been linked to enhanced performance). 

'Mindfulness helps train the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that creates a calm and alert state of mind, which helps us stay focused, avoid distraction and perform at our best' said Dr. Kristen Race, Ph.D., founder of mindfullifetoday.com and expert on brain-based mindfulness solutions.  

Personal peak performance - whether in sports or any other competitive area - is mentally driven. We are best when we are 'in the flow'. Michael Phelps said once: 'You can´t put a limit on anything.'  His outstanding competitive performances, especially during the Olympic Games, underlined that. Our body is actually capable of much more than our brain conducts. So the next time you believe you can´t do it, stay focussed and prove yourself wrong!

I hope you enjoyed the read.
For any further information on how to achieve'being in the flow' you might also consult @graig-grant...:)

Marly -

PS: This song is for you: Robbie Williams - 'Strong'

You think that I'm strong? You're wrong! 

Picture sources:
Title: https://www.realsubliminal.com/
Brian Sipe quote: https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/
Decisive girl: https://static1.squarespace.com/
Arnold Palmer quote: https://assets.entrepreneur.com/
Tommy Lasorda quote: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/