The mind of a winner
> Building a champion mindset is important to succeed, whether you are a world-class athlete or not
mental strength, they serve two different purposes.
Visualisation helps the body to be active and in a state of readiness.
Meditation, on the other hand, helps the body relax, recover, and be in a state of calm when adrenaline kicks in.
By spending a few minutes every day to meditate, athletes are able to clear their minds and focus on the day ahead.
The ability to focus can mean the difference between a game winning goal, or settling for a silver medal.
According to several studies, meditation helps reduce stress levels. Being able to relax and remain calm under pressure is a vital tool for any athlete.
By consistently practising meditation, a person will learn to build confidence, be in a positive state of mind, and learn be able to relax during a game.
The more you relax, the more efficient you will be with your energy.
Reframing Visualisation and meditation may be familiar buzzwords, but one of the lesser-known tools used by elite sportsmen and women is ‘reframing’ – a technique used to change one’s perspective of a situation.
In other words, reframing takes a negative situation and puts it into a neutral or positive context.
It is all about tricking the brain into turning a bad situation into something acceptable.
Reframing is slightly more complex compared to visualisation and meditation, but once mastered, it can be extremely beneficial.
For example, a runner wants to stop training just before the end of a particularly gruelling workout. In his mind, he is tired and wants to go home.
He can reframe that by telling himself that if he gets through this final workout, he will be able to win easily come race day.
The situation has not changed, but the runner has reframed his negative thoughts, and given the situation a new, challenging context.
Reframing requires a certain amount of practice, selfdiscipline, and more mental energy compared to meditation and visualisation.
By understanding how to reframe a situation, you will be able to find a renewed sense of hope, and get a second wind, whether during practice or a competition.
When it comes to building a champion mindset, it is not just for athletes. Even those in the corporate world or school can use these tools to build an unbeatable mind.
Nevash Nair is a freelance writer based out of Singapore. Fitness is his passion. Follow him on Instagram @nevjitsu or contact him via email at lifestyle. nevashnair@thesundaily.com.