The principles of sucess - The winning mind

This short extract is from my new manuscript on sport psychology , called THE WINNING MIND and may be freely published on your web site or in your ezine.

Success in any endeavour usually involves a great deal of sacrifice and commitment. The commitment could be in the form of: time, effort, money, etc. The desire to succeed must come from within you and no-one else. You must want to do it for yourself, because it gives you satisfaction and enjoyment. That is the pathway to success. So do it for your reasons and no-one else's - not your parents, friends or any other people.

The hallmark of a peak performer or a champion is consistency. If you can achieve consistent peak performances, you are likely to be more successful and enjoy your sport more.

I believe the necessary ingredients for success are:

* positive self-esteem and a positive attitude to life

* assertiveness

and

* commitment.

SELF ESTEEM (and especially a healthy one) is a vital building block to achieving peak performance. Peak performance requires a sportsman to have a realistic perception of their ability, as well as complete faith in their ability to meet the challenges and demands of any situation. Having control in any particular situation reduces stress to the athlete.

I think a talented sportsman with the will to work could be a great one. However, they will usually need a supportive family - an athlete has to be extremely strong mentally and also singled-minded in daily pyshing yourself through the pain barrier in training, ie. COMMITMENT.

To break down these elements further...

I believe attaining success also requires a great deal of the following traits:

* Discipline

* Application

* Dedication

and the following "sub-groups". Try to work on the 4 Ds:

* DIRECTION: set a goal and have the challenge of reaching that goal.

* DESIRE: wish for the attainment of that goal and an eagerness to enjoy the journey along the way. Sometimes it's a very long and hilly road. Don't I know about it!

* DEDICATION: having an intense loyalty and commitment to meet the challenge and to apply yourself wholly to achieving it.

* DETERMINATION: the strength of mind to continue in the direction to achieve your goal.
- Julie Townsend (NZ Silver Fern Netball player and wife of former Kiwi cricket captain Jeremy Coney - in case you're interested.

Don't sporty types attract each other? Why Marie and I get on so well!

Psychological skills training:

Introduction:

Winning is a state of mind; you can train your mind to keep performing. I think that often the difference between winners and losers is in their different levels of enthusiasm. I believe that any sportsman can develop their psychological training, as well as the physical side. We can all learn these psychological skills, which are often as easy to learn and master as physical skills. To help you in this, learn rest and relaxation techniques.

How to win:

A few introductory thoughts...

Because in sporting success, I believe it is our mental state which is the most vital ingredient: it is our thoughts which largely make or break us...and I believe these principles apply in all walks of life. It really is a case of "mind over matter." Once you start losing, it can start a "spiral of defeats", so that losing then becomes a habit. You have to make a huge conscious effort to break the cycle. Lot's more on winning coming up in this work.

Authors Note:

I think I've already included that opening paragraph somewhere else in this work. (once, twice, or "thrice").

# Don't think about losing. Fear of losing stops many sportspeople from performing to their full potential (like the All Blacks...occasionally).

# Focus on your strengths, rather than on your weaknesses. Be proactive in this. (Nice word that!).

# Remember: YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK. Success in sport is closely related with the feeling of being in CONTROL. To illustrate this point: the most motivated people are also usually the least anxious. Halt negative thoughts. You may not be able to prevent them from entering your head... but with a strong will at least you can stop them from "nesting".

# Assume responsibility for all your successes...and your failures.

# Take the credit for all your successes...even every "little triumph".

# Then take time to smell the roses.

Remember, American swimmer, Matt Biondi's words: "It's not the end of the world; my dog will still lick my face whether I win or lose". "The sun will still rise the next morning", etc.

# At all times try to DEVELOP YOUR THINKING SKILLS.

Say to yourself:

"If others can do it

WHY NOT ME?"

To end off, I like this following poem very much.

SUCCESS

Success is doing the best that you can, in as many ways as you can. It is being just and honest and true - not in a few things, but in everything you do.

Always look ahead and never look back, believe you can make all your dreams come true. Always believe in the best you can be and have faith in the things that you do.

Forget about the mistakes you've made yesterday, the lesson you learn will prove valuable for today... never give up and think that you're through... for there's always tomorrow and a chance to begin brand new.

It is in dreaming the greatest dreams... and seeking the highest goals... that we build the brightest tomorrows.

There is no limit to the goals you can attain, or the success you can achieve... your possibilities are as endless as your dreams.

Whatever it is that you seek in life, whatever your dreams and what you hope to achieve, whatever you try to reach - whatever you plan... can all be yours - if you only believe you can.

Larry S.Chengges

Cheers for those beautiful and inspiring words, Larry!

Craig Lock

About the Author

Craig Lock has been involved in the personal finance field for too many years. He is now an author of five published books with another twelve being published and marketed on the Internet. Craig has studied and written extensively on money matters: articles, brochures for financial institutions and books.

:To contact see details below.


C.Lock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.elkpublications.com/godzone.htm