Mental Toughness is plain and simple- never giving up no matter what.
In my Personality Psychology class, we learned that Character is revealed during difficult times, not easy times. This may make intuitive sense to many people, but there is also a good amount of scientific research to support this idea.
You just can’t ever give up on yourself. The world will provide plenty of surprises, adversity, and difficult circumstances.
Life may knock you around, but no one can make you quit. Quitting is an intimate personal decision. Many people blame quitting on circumstances, but when it comes right down to it, it is a choice, and it is your choice.
I have a survival in the wilderness book that gives great useful information on what to do in the event of being stranded on an island, at sea, in a cave, etc. etc. They have a “Pyramid of Success in Survival” and as you would imagine, the foundation of the pyramid is the “Will to Live.”
I like to start Mental Mastery with the topic of Rationality and Unconditionally accepting yourself. Many people wonder why I do not start with Confidence or Goal Setting. It is because one day you will lose, adversity will strike, circumstances will get worse, and you will need the skills to persevere. All the Mental Skills and Physical skills are meaningless if you do not have a strong will to persist no matter what.
This probably sounds like my most preachy post. It may sound like something from a motivational speech, but this lesson is well worth revisiting.
*Read biographies of successful people. They didn’t have it easy all the time.
*Have a reason to succeed which is larger than life. Make your mission spiritual, however you may personally define spiritual.
*Write your reasons to succeed down. Read them daily.
*And finally, take some time to watch Ants. Put your foot down in their path. Watch them. They will go around it, under it, over it; they may even try to go through it. The bottom line is that nothing derails them. Have you ever seen a bug in a pool as it struggles for survival. It never lays there and gives up. There is no quit in an Ant and if you want to be successful, there can be no quit in YOU either!
Everyone gets knocked down, common people stay down, great people get up.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Mindset Monday 12/20/10- Communication is Crucial
People do not have superhuman powers. So why do we think coaches, teammates, family, and friends can read our minds?
One of the best practical pieces of advice on performance success is to communicate. Communicate with the people around you about your needs, feelings, ideas, etc.
How do you like other people to deal with you the day of competition? The night before competition? At the competition? After practice? During practice? We all have different ways we like to be approached and dealt with. Step 1 may involve figuring out how you like to be handled. Step 2 then is communicating this message to the people around you.
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You will need to be corrected sometimes. People will not always agree with you either. How do you like to be corrected? How would you like criticism and disagreement framed toward you? Do you like direct, blunt critique or would you prefer it framed more positively? You must know your own sensitivities. Do you have any words or phrases that your parents or coaches use that you just cannot stand? Do not wait for them to say it, talk to them about it in advance.
It may seem obvious that you can perform at your best if you create an empowering and positive environment that suites your individual needs. We must not be afraid to communicate our needs to the people who will be in close contact during the season and at our competitions.
The people around us are not mind readers. They use strategies that have worked on them and strategies that have worked for them on others. But, we cannot expect them to know exactly what best suites us. This makes communication crucial. We all like to be dealt with in different ways. And it is crucial we learn to express ourselves to those around us.
There is a productive way to communicate with people- truthful and tactful. We must express ourselves honestly and with regard to the other person’s feelings and viewpoints. We should do it at the right time- in private- not in the middle of a practice or an argument. And we should speak in a positive tone without yelling. While we communicate, the last thing we want to do is trigger a defensive reaction from the other person.
It may be difficult for a young adult to express him or herself to an adult, parent, coach, or friend. But this is a very mature action and one that will almost certainly be more than worth the minor awkwardness or embarrassment you may feel. If you are looking to be successful, you will barrel through anything and take action to improve.
Lastly, we cannot expect that people will always listen to us when we share how we feel. Our job is to communicate openly, honestly, and with tact. Their agreement and their reaction is on them. Do not be disappointed or angry if the person does not react exactly how you want them to. (Do you know how they like to be dealt with? This further illustrates my point).
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
One of the best practical pieces of advice on performance success is to communicate. Communicate with the people around you about your needs, feelings, ideas, etc.
How do you like other people to deal with you the day of competition? The night before competition? At the competition? After practice? During practice? We all have different ways we like to be approached and dealt with. Step 1 may involve figuring out how you like to be handled. Step 2 then is communicating this message to the people around you.
\
You will need to be corrected sometimes. People will not always agree with you either. How do you like to be corrected? How would you like criticism and disagreement framed toward you? Do you like direct, blunt critique or would you prefer it framed more positively? You must know your own sensitivities. Do you have any words or phrases that your parents or coaches use that you just cannot stand? Do not wait for them to say it, talk to them about it in advance.
It may seem obvious that you can perform at your best if you create an empowering and positive environment that suites your individual needs. We must not be afraid to communicate our needs to the people who will be in close contact during the season and at our competitions.
The people around us are not mind readers. They use strategies that have worked on them and strategies that have worked for them on others. But, we cannot expect them to know exactly what best suites us. This makes communication crucial. We all like to be dealt with in different ways. And it is crucial we learn to express ourselves to those around us.
There is a productive way to communicate with people- truthful and tactful. We must express ourselves honestly and with regard to the other person’s feelings and viewpoints. We should do it at the right time- in private- not in the middle of a practice or an argument. And we should speak in a positive tone without yelling. While we communicate, the last thing we want to do is trigger a defensive reaction from the other person.
It may be difficult for a young adult to express him or herself to an adult, parent, coach, or friend. But this is a very mature action and one that will almost certainly be more than worth the minor awkwardness or embarrassment you may feel. If you are looking to be successful, you will barrel through anything and take action to improve.
Lastly, we cannot expect that people will always listen to us when we share how we feel. Our job is to communicate openly, honestly, and with tact. Their agreement and their reaction is on them. Do not be disappointed or angry if the person does not react exactly how you want them to. (Do you know how they like to be dealt with? This further illustrates my point).
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 13, 2010
Mindset Monday- 12/13/10- How important is the mind? Ask the BEST!
My friend, wrestling coach, and mentor Donn Ernst gave me two pieces of advice on decision making:CONSIDER THE SOURCE and LEARN FROM THE BEST. These are two tenants we all can live by.
That being said...How important is your mindset to your success? Please, don't take my word for it...Ask the best...
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“The Secret is to make your mind work for you, not against you.”
(Arnold’s approach to bodybuilding was more mental than physical)
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_60/69_fitness_tip.html
Michael Jordan
Michael's biggest strength was his mental game. Jordan held a decisive mental edge over his opponents throughout his entire career. It was his mental toughness... Jeff Janssen, M.S.
http://www.teamarete.com/ificouldbe.html
Wayne Gretzky
…he (Gretzky) was not very strong physically, but he made up for that in the mental edge he held over opponents.
http://www.lycos.com/info/wayne-gretzky-hockey.html
Tiger Woods
Tiger's biggest club is his mental strength –USA Today
His mental game is every bit as good as his physical game. –Bob May
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2004-02-10-tiger-toughest_x.htm
there’s another quality even more important than skill. It’s his mind, and that very well could be his greatest weapon.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/09/sports/sp-mindgame9
Michael Phelps
His strongest asset is relaxing & focusing in competition. He can take himself mentally to a place. That’s what separates him from his competitors. –Coach Bowman
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bowman-on-phelps-mental-strength/3003143297
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a master of psychology…his mental toughness played a great factor in many of his fights. There was no one stronger mentally then Muhammad Ali.
http://greatestofalltime.homestead.com/muhammadali.html
Dan Gable
“Mental Toughness is the key of all keys…Mental Toughness is the foundation.”
http://www.briancain.com/articlesbybriancain/Dan%20Gable%20-%20Brian%20Cain%20CBN.pdf
Coach John Wooden
“I am constantly trying to make players realize the mental side.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
“Mental Toughness is essential for success.”
He was always working on both the minds and bodies of his players. The guy was a beautiful psychologist. – Jerry Kramer (former player)
Coach Bobby Knight
“Mental toughness to physical (toughness) is as 4 is to 1.”
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
That being said...How important is your mindset to your success? Please, don't take my word for it...Ask the best...
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“The Secret is to make your mind work for you, not against you.”
(Arnold’s approach to bodybuilding was more mental than physical)
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_60/69_fitness_tip.html
Michael Jordan
Michael's biggest strength was his mental game. Jordan held a decisive mental edge over his opponents throughout his entire career. It was his mental toughness... Jeff Janssen, M.S.
http://www.teamarete.com/ificouldbe.html
Wayne Gretzky
…he (Gretzky) was not very strong physically, but he made up for that in the mental edge he held over opponents.
http://www.lycos.com/info/wayne-gretzky-hockey.html
Tiger Woods
Tiger's biggest club is his mental strength –USA Today
His mental game is every bit as good as his physical game. –Bob May
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2004-02-10-tiger-toughest_x.htm
there’s another quality even more important than skill. It’s his mind, and that very well could be his greatest weapon.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/09/sports/sp-mindgame9
Michael Phelps
His strongest asset is relaxing & focusing in competition. He can take himself mentally to a place. That’s what separates him from his competitors. –Coach Bowman
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bowman-on-phelps-mental-strength/3003143297
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a master of psychology…his mental toughness played a great factor in many of his fights. There was no one stronger mentally then Muhammad Ali.
http://greatestofalltime.homestead.com/muhammadali.html
Dan Gable
“Mental Toughness is the key of all keys…Mental Toughness is the foundation.”
http://www.briancain.com/articlesbybriancain/Dan%20Gable%20-%20Brian%20Cain%20CBN.pdf
Coach John Wooden
“I am constantly trying to make players realize the mental side.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
“Mental Toughness is essential for success.”
He was always working on both the minds and bodies of his players. The guy was a beautiful psychologist. – Jerry Kramer (former player)
Coach Bobby Knight
“Mental toughness to physical (toughness) is as 4 is to 1.”
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mindset Monday 12/6/10- Starting from Scratch
If you were going to start from scratch, what would be different about you?
If you could shape yourself exactly into anything you want, with no past experiences, no past heartbreaks, no memory of setback, what information would you put into your mind? Very few people approach their mindset from a creator’s point of view. We tend to operate as slaves to our genetics and past experiences. Most people look at their mind as a fixed entity, a final product.
You do not need to continue down this path. One of the gifts that humans have is a conscious mind that, if used correctly, can correct itself. More and more, research is finding that our brain can in many ways rewire itself and manifest it’s vision on the outside world. Many scientists believe that we have barely scratched the surface into the power of the mind.
The point of all this is to empower you to become the creator of your new mind. Decide what you would put in your head if you could choose anything. For me this includes- never fearing rejection, absolute confidence in all my abilities, discipline that cannot be broken, unbelievable positive thinking about life, courage to face all of my fears, etc.
We must remember that we can always choose to approach our mind as a creator. There are tools available to help you attain this mindset, if you would just be willing to learn them and step out of your comfort zone and try them.Have the guts to create your own reality! Very few people will do this, but the ones who want to be champions will. Create a list on a piece of paper of exactly what you would be, if you could mold yourself into exactly what you would want (think along the lines of what traits you would need to accomplish your goals).
Make the list as specific as possible and read it daily and give it your full attention, don’t just blow through the list as you read it. Use a process cue after reading it every time so you will have a movement associated with the Ultimate You. Read the list while listening to music that captures the feelings you are trying to create inside you- empowerment, confidence, faith, and guts.
This is an investment of about 5 minutes every day, which is relatively small. Choosing to do this or not comes down to one crucial personal decision- How important is it to you that you make the most of yourself and your life? Framed other ways, How good do you really want to be? Do you really want it?
Also, get into meditating or just taking some quiet time on a regular basis thinking about the new reality you have created for yourself. As the image of your new reality grows stronger, you will begin to see results in the real world. Don’t be surprised when this happens, remember I told you this would happen.
Keep in mind that like any physical training, you must do this repeatedly for real results. Don’t quit on this process in the beginning if you do not see results immediately. Trust the process. And, when you do start achieving success, continue to do look at your list and meditate on your new reality. Life will do all it can to pull you from here, your center. Remember a body builder does not discontinue training when he starts to grow muscle. This should be lifelong mental training.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143 (908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
If you could shape yourself exactly into anything you want, with no past experiences, no past heartbreaks, no memory of setback, what information would you put into your mind? Very few people approach their mindset from a creator’s point of view. We tend to operate as slaves to our genetics and past experiences. Most people look at their mind as a fixed entity, a final product.
You do not need to continue down this path. One of the gifts that humans have is a conscious mind that, if used correctly, can correct itself. More and more, research is finding that our brain can in many ways rewire itself and manifest it’s vision on the outside world. Many scientists believe that we have barely scratched the surface into the power of the mind.
The point of all this is to empower you to become the creator of your new mind. Decide what you would put in your head if you could choose anything. For me this includes- never fearing rejection, absolute confidence in all my abilities, discipline that cannot be broken, unbelievable positive thinking about life, courage to face all of my fears, etc.
We must remember that we can always choose to approach our mind as a creator. There are tools available to help you attain this mindset, if you would just be willing to learn them and step out of your comfort zone and try them.Have the guts to create your own reality! Very few people will do this, but the ones who want to be champions will. Create a list on a piece of paper of exactly what you would be, if you could mold yourself into exactly what you would want (think along the lines of what traits you would need to accomplish your goals).
Make the list as specific as possible and read it daily and give it your full attention, don’t just blow through the list as you read it. Use a process cue after reading it every time so you will have a movement associated with the Ultimate You. Read the list while listening to music that captures the feelings you are trying to create inside you- empowerment, confidence, faith, and guts.
This is an investment of about 5 minutes every day, which is relatively small. Choosing to do this or not comes down to one crucial personal decision- How important is it to you that you make the most of yourself and your life? Framed other ways, How good do you really want to be? Do you really want it?
Also, get into meditating or just taking some quiet time on a regular basis thinking about the new reality you have created for yourself. As the image of your new reality grows stronger, you will begin to see results in the real world. Don’t be surprised when this happens, remember I told you this would happen.
Keep in mind that like any physical training, you must do this repeatedly for real results. Don’t quit on this process in the beginning if you do not see results immediately. Trust the process. And, when you do start achieving success, continue to do look at your list and meditate on your new reality. Life will do all it can to pull you from here, your center. Remember a body builder does not discontinue training when he starts to grow muscle. This should be lifelong mental training.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 29, 2010
Mindset Monday 11/29/10- The "Fan Mentality"
Stop approaching your sport as a spectator! Players play, coaches coach, administrators administrate, and there can be no overlap in between.
Identify your role first. You are a player, an athlete, a participant. This means you must think like a participant, not as a coach, not as an administrator, and certainly not as a fan.
Most athletes have never experienced being a coach or administrator. But pretty much everyone has experience as a fan. We watch ball games on television and followed our sport before we ever competed. This is why the “fan mentality” is so difficult for us athletes to shake.
Fans talk about the importance of the game, streaks, wins, losses, slumps, records, predictions, rankings, and war stories of individuals. They spend countless hours watching television, listening to radio, reading articles on the internet, participating in forums, debates, gambling, etc. etc.
We learn all about stats and what indicators to look for in teams and individuals so we can win bets. We know all the stories about guys on our favorite teams and past records. We figure out stories and streaks so we have things to talk about while watching these games with our friends.
We learn very quickly how to become a great fan.
What we do not learn is how to think like an athlete. We just kind of sit back and hope it happens to us. We should be proactive in this process.
Sport Psychology and common sense teach you to focus on things you can control and stop worrying about things you cannot. When you compete, you cannot think about stories, and records, and streaks, etc. You need to stop looking at the newspaper, predictions, forums, and seedings.
Many people say that these things do not affect them, so they can still be a competitor and fan at the same time. If that is the case, I challenge you to think of past poor performances. Think of at least 3 of them. What were you thinking before and during the competition? If anything had to do with how good or bad your opponent was, this is in part a result of getting involved in the hype. Walk away when friends and teammates start talking about the sport as spectators. Do not let that garbage into your mind.
The “fan mentality” is a difficult habit to break. This will take real work on your part, but the results are well worth it. Stop caring what other people think of you, how they will view your performance, what this all means, records, seedings, predictions, streaks, and stories. Read a book on technique or mindset instead of box scores and newspaper articles. Start thinking like a participant. Destroy your “fan mentality,” and live in your own reality!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Identify your role first. You are a player, an athlete, a participant. This means you must think like a participant, not as a coach, not as an administrator, and certainly not as a fan.
Most athletes have never experienced being a coach or administrator. But pretty much everyone has experience as a fan. We watch ball games on television and followed our sport before we ever competed. This is why the “fan mentality” is so difficult for us athletes to shake.
Fans talk about the importance of the game, streaks, wins, losses, slumps, records, predictions, rankings, and war stories of individuals. They spend countless hours watching television, listening to radio, reading articles on the internet, participating in forums, debates, gambling, etc. etc.
We learn all about stats and what indicators to look for in teams and individuals so we can win bets. We know all the stories about guys on our favorite teams and past records. We figure out stories and streaks so we have things to talk about while watching these games with our friends.
We learn very quickly how to become a great fan.
What we do not learn is how to think like an athlete. We just kind of sit back and hope it happens to us. We should be proactive in this process.
Sport Psychology and common sense teach you to focus on things you can control and stop worrying about things you cannot. When you compete, you cannot think about stories, and records, and streaks, etc. You need to stop looking at the newspaper, predictions, forums, and seedings.
Many people say that these things do not affect them, so they can still be a competitor and fan at the same time. If that is the case, I challenge you to think of past poor performances. Think of at least 3 of them. What were you thinking before and during the competition? If anything had to do with how good or bad your opponent was, this is in part a result of getting involved in the hype. Walk away when friends and teammates start talking about the sport as spectators. Do not let that garbage into your mind.
The “fan mentality” is a difficult habit to break. This will take real work on your part, but the results are well worth it. Stop caring what other people think of you, how they will view your performance, what this all means, records, seedings, predictions, streaks, and stories. Read a book on technique or mindset instead of box scores and newspaper articles. Start thinking like a participant. Destroy your “fan mentality,” and live in your own reality!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 22, 2010
Mindset Monday 11/22/10- Wins and Losses
If you want to be successful you are going to have to stop thinking like everyone else!
Everyone else judges performance based on wins and losses. 10% of the people in the world have 90% of the money. The same is true with success. If 9 out of 10 people judge performance based on wins and losses, then you need to be the 1 in 10 that does not.
What do successful people focus on? Evolution! Constant improvement. Have you ever seen an athlete in the Olympics or Championships a little dissatisfied after winning? Think hard. I am sure you can think of a few examples. And I can almost guarantee you said to yourself while watching, "I would be happy if I were that guy." Well, that is why you are you and he is him!
Failure is feedback, failure is never final (unless of course you quit or give up hope). The very best know the only way to succeed is to be positive, go all out, and learn from your mistakes. Failure is a part of the process. Rejection is a part of the process. Successful people have failed A LOT more than average ordinary people.
What hitter in baseball struck out the most times in baseball?
Answer: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson "Mr. October"
What baseball hitter made the most outs?
Answer: All time hit leader Pete Rose
What baseball pitcher has the most career losses?
Answer: All time wins leader and Hall of Famer Cy Young
Thomas Edison did not fail 1,000 times, he found 1,000 ways not to invent the light bulb. -his words
Abraham Lincoln lost over 6 elections and a nervous breakdown.
All these things would make a normal person quit. But these people are not normal. And that is the key. You have to be uncommon to be great. Be the 1 in 10 people who do not think about wins and losses.
It is a liberating feeling to let go of wins and losses in your mind. It will free your mind to open up, go all out, take more chances, and as a result, succeed far more than you ever thought possible!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit my blog- genezannetti.blogspot.com
Everyone else judges performance based on wins and losses. 10% of the people in the world have 90% of the money. The same is true with success. If 9 out of 10 people judge performance based on wins and losses, then you need to be the 1 in 10 that does not.
What do successful people focus on? Evolution! Constant improvement. Have you ever seen an athlete in the Olympics or Championships a little dissatisfied after winning? Think hard. I am sure you can think of a few examples. And I can almost guarantee you said to yourself while watching, "I would be happy if I were that guy." Well, that is why you are you and he is him!
Failure is feedback, failure is never final (unless of course you quit or give up hope). The very best know the only way to succeed is to be positive, go all out, and learn from your mistakes. Failure is a part of the process. Rejection is a part of the process. Successful people have failed A LOT more than average ordinary people.
What hitter in baseball struck out the most times in baseball?
Answer: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson "Mr. October"
What baseball hitter made the most outs?
Answer: All time hit leader Pete Rose
What baseball pitcher has the most career losses?
Answer: All time wins leader and Hall of Famer Cy Young
Thomas Edison did not fail 1,000 times, he found 1,000 ways not to invent the light bulb. -his words
Abraham Lincoln lost over 6 elections and a nervous breakdown.
All these things would make a normal person quit. But these people are not normal. And that is the key. You have to be uncommon to be great. Be the 1 in 10 people who do not think about wins and losses.
It is a liberating feeling to let go of wins and losses in your mind. It will free your mind to open up, go all out, take more chances, and as a result, succeed far more than you ever thought possible!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit my blog- genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
Mindset Monday 11/15/10- No Mind
You have no doubt heard most of your life, "stop and think" or "look before you leap." We are taught to always think. This is usually a good rule of thumb except when it's not. Allow me to explain...
At almost every speaking engagement I offer the same pop quiz to attendees. All things being equal, which performer will do the best: (a)the positive thinker (b) the negative thinker (c) the person who is not thinking. (Dr. Rob Gilbert)
The answer of course is C, because they will have no distracting thoughts in either direction. Their mind will be using all of it's power to handle the task at hand. No time will be wasted on thoughts or expectations.
If you chose A you are in the majority. But don't worry, as almost everyone fails the pop quiz almost all the time.
Most people have been raised to believe that the positive thinker will be the greatest success, and this is not a false statement. Most of the time you must be the positive thinker if you want to succeed. But, when you compete or perform, you do not want to have much in your mind at all. You do not want any distracton from the task at hand.
If you must have any thought, it should be a word or short sentence at the very most. This should only be a CUE or ANCHOR to remind you of where your focus should be at the moment or to snap you back into a more productive mindset. These cues or anchors should be decided long before you perform.
The primary cause of most people's fears, anxieties, worry, doubt, and human disturbace in general is from being trapped in the jail of your own mind (Dr. Brad Blanton). We play unbelievable mental gymnastics with ourselves on a regular basis, contemplating what if's, that in all probability will never happen. We think and think and think about something we want to do and never get around to doing it- we get paralysis from our own analysis!
It is important to think sometimes and it is important to turn your mind off at other times. This will take ongoing practice to master when to turn your mind on and off. For best results, do some reading on the topic or consult an expert. I will continue to post great information on how to make your mind work for you, not against you!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit my blog: http://genezannetti.blogspot.com
At almost every speaking engagement I offer the same pop quiz to attendees. All things being equal, which performer will do the best: (a)the positive thinker (b) the negative thinker (c) the person who is not thinking. (Dr. Rob Gilbert)
The answer of course is C, because they will have no distracting thoughts in either direction. Their mind will be using all of it's power to handle the task at hand. No time will be wasted on thoughts or expectations.
If you chose A you are in the majority. But don't worry, as almost everyone fails the pop quiz almost all the time.
Most people have been raised to believe that the positive thinker will be the greatest success, and this is not a false statement. Most of the time you must be the positive thinker if you want to succeed. But, when you compete or perform, you do not want to have much in your mind at all. You do not want any distracton from the task at hand.
If you must have any thought, it should be a word or short sentence at the very most. This should only be a CUE or ANCHOR to remind you of where your focus should be at the moment or to snap you back into a more productive mindset. These cues or anchors should be decided long before you perform.
The primary cause of most people's fears, anxieties, worry, doubt, and human disturbace in general is from being trapped in the jail of your own mind (Dr. Brad Blanton). We play unbelievable mental gymnastics with ourselves on a regular basis, contemplating what if's, that in all probability will never happen. We think and think and think about something we want to do and never get around to doing it- we get paralysis from our own analysis!
It is important to think sometimes and it is important to turn your mind off at other times. This will take ongoing practice to master when to turn your mind on and off. For best results, do some reading on the topic or consult an expert. I will continue to post great information on how to make your mind work for you, not against you!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit my blog: http://genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, November 8, 2010
Mindset Monday 11/8/10- Control Your Destiny
No matter what field you are in, it is crucial that you understand Control. You must make this concept of Control work FOR YOU, not against you.
Studies repeatedly show that people who believe that they control their destiny have greater success than those who believe that their success is determined by outside factors, like luck or circumstance. The scientific name for this concept is Locus of Control (you can type this word into Google Scholar to see the studies for yourself). If you want to be successful, then you better believe that YOU control your destiny.
We do not control outcomes directly! We cannot control success, wins, etc. directly. There are many extenuating circumstances that play a role in outcomes. BUT, we can ALWAYS control 2 things: (1) our individual effort (2) our Attitude (approaching your activity with positivity, willingness to improve, and belief that you can succeed). IF you control these 2 factors, you can feel confident that you control your destiny. We control our outcomes INDIRECTLY by focusing on Effort and Attitude. You cannot guarantee success, but you can increase your chances.
You must realize we cannot control circumstances outside our control: referees bad calls, coaches decisions, weather, other people’s opinions of us, luck of the draw, etc. etc. etc. Trying to control these factors are at the root of clinically diagnosable Anxiety and Depression. You must become effective at discerning what you can control versus what you cannot. Life will be unnecessarily painful if you do not grasp this concept.
Think about people you know who try to control things outside their control. Chances are, they are a mess mentally. Sales Instructor Jeffrey Gitomer said it best when he said to resign your position as leader of the world, and start thinking about yourself (not in a selfish way). We all know people who constantly give others advice on how to change, and then when they are given advice they say they cannot control that. They say, “that’s just the way I am.” This is very annoying and inaccurate. The only person you can control is yourself.
Now think of people you know who focus their energy on Self-Control: controlling their (1) effort (2) attitude. Did you ever notice how very little stands in their way? These people bounce back from mistakes and persist diligently toward their goals. AND, THEY ARE HAPPIER PEOPLE! Because they don’t waste time and energy on things outside of their control!
Understand Control and make it work to your advantage. Studies show you will be more successful and happier. Have your cake and eat It too!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Studies repeatedly show that people who believe that they control their destiny have greater success than those who believe that their success is determined by outside factors, like luck or circumstance. The scientific name for this concept is Locus of Control (you can type this word into Google Scholar to see the studies for yourself). If you want to be successful, then you better believe that YOU control your destiny.
We do not control outcomes directly! We cannot control success, wins, etc. directly. There are many extenuating circumstances that play a role in outcomes. BUT, we can ALWAYS control 2 things: (1) our individual effort (2) our Attitude (approaching your activity with positivity, willingness to improve, and belief that you can succeed). IF you control these 2 factors, you can feel confident that you control your destiny. We control our outcomes INDIRECTLY by focusing on Effort and Attitude. You cannot guarantee success, but you can increase your chances.
You must realize we cannot control circumstances outside our control: referees bad calls, coaches decisions, weather, other people’s opinions of us, luck of the draw, etc. etc. etc. Trying to control these factors are at the root of clinically diagnosable Anxiety and Depression. You must become effective at discerning what you can control versus what you cannot. Life will be unnecessarily painful if you do not grasp this concept.
Think about people you know who try to control things outside their control. Chances are, they are a mess mentally. Sales Instructor Jeffrey Gitomer said it best when he said to resign your position as leader of the world, and start thinking about yourself (not in a selfish way). We all know people who constantly give others advice on how to change, and then when they are given advice they say they cannot control that. They say, “that’s just the way I am.” This is very annoying and inaccurate. The only person you can control is yourself.
Now think of people you know who focus their energy on Self-Control: controlling their (1) effort (2) attitude. Did you ever notice how very little stands in their way? These people bounce back from mistakes and persist diligently toward their goals. AND, THEY ARE HAPPIER PEOPLE! Because they don’t waste time and energy on things outside of their control!
Understand Control and make it work to your advantage. Studies show you will be more successful and happier. Have your cake and eat It too!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 1, 2010
Mindset Monday 11/1/10- 11 Ways to Guarantee a Performance Failure
Eleven Ways to Guarantee a Performance Failure
1. Make this performance special- believe it is different than all other performances.
2. Use phrases like “It’s now or never,” “this is it,” and “do or die!”
3. Get involved in the hype: read the newspapers, forums, rankings, predictions, and seedings.
4. As often as possible, think about both the short-term and long-term implications about this performance.
5. As often as possible, think about past poor performances and mistakes as well as all your current imperfections.
6. Make sure to try especially hard in this performance.
7. Take this performance very seriously, have no sense of humor, and never smile.
8. Care deeply how other people will view your performance.
9. Be negative, even when it is difficult to do so.
10. Be Realistic: Who are you to succeed?
11. Only train yourself physically, performance has nothing to do with your mindset.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
1. Make this performance special- believe it is different than all other performances.
2. Use phrases like “It’s now or never,” “this is it,” and “do or die!”
3. Get involved in the hype: read the newspapers, forums, rankings, predictions, and seedings.
4. As often as possible, think about both the short-term and long-term implications about this performance.
5. As often as possible, think about past poor performances and mistakes as well as all your current imperfections.
6. Make sure to try especially hard in this performance.
7. Take this performance very seriously, have no sense of humor, and never smile.
8. Care deeply how other people will view your performance.
9. Be negative, even when it is difficult to do so.
10. Be Realistic: Who are you to succeed?
11. Only train yourself physically, performance has nothing to do with your mindset.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 25, 2010
Mindset Monday 10/25/10- Care Less, Win More
Mediocre athletes begin to care when the post-season begins. Good athletes care once the season starts. Great athletes care before the season. But, the BEST athletes DON’T CARE. If you are going to be successful you need to learn not to care!
Now how could this be? Could the best athletes really not care? The best athletes know what they should and should not care about. The best know to care about things they can control and not care about things they have no control over.
The best athletes care about factors within their control: (1) their effort, (2) their attitude, (3) their discipline following their action plan for success, (4) their mental and physical training, (5) their nutrition and rest etc. etc.
Many athletes, if not most, care about things that are outside of their control. Focusing on factors outside of one’s control takes one out of the moment and add pressure which makes poor performance far more likely.
It is crucial to YOUR SUCCESS to know what you should and should not care about. I would recommend making a list that you can review often and refer back to in times of need. Make the list and then get emotionally involved while reading the list. Become mad, stubborn, and intense when you read the list of things you do not want to care about. Involving your emotions will help drive this point home inside your mind and body. Here is a good example of what I am talking about:
List of things I don’t give a crap about:
• Wins and Losses
• Records
• Past results of myself or my opponents
• Newspapers, Forums, Predictions, Rankings
• Past accomplishments of mine or my opponents
• Common opponents or past times competing against each other
• What other people think about me
• What other people will say to me if I win or lose
• What will happen if I win or lose
• Coaches, parents, friends, etc opinion about me
• Other people’s expectations
I am not saying that other people don’t matter and not to listen to coaches or parents. I am saying that being preoccupied with these thoughts has been long recognized to blow performances. So it is crucial that you train yourself to think this way, and only care about things you can control. You control outcomes indirectly, by preparing yourself with mental and physical training and not getting in your own way mentally by worrying about things outside of your control.
Remember about 9 out of 10 people will spend no time on their mentality and will continue to care about uncontrollable factors. You need to be the 1 out of 10 athletes that DOES NOT CARE about these things.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Now how could this be? Could the best athletes really not care? The best athletes know what they should and should not care about. The best know to care about things they can control and not care about things they have no control over.
The best athletes care about factors within their control: (1) their effort, (2) their attitude, (3) their discipline following their action plan for success, (4) their mental and physical training, (5) their nutrition and rest etc. etc.
Many athletes, if not most, care about things that are outside of their control. Focusing on factors outside of one’s control takes one out of the moment and add pressure which makes poor performance far more likely.
It is crucial to YOUR SUCCESS to know what you should and should not care about. I would recommend making a list that you can review often and refer back to in times of need. Make the list and then get emotionally involved while reading the list. Become mad, stubborn, and intense when you read the list of things you do not want to care about. Involving your emotions will help drive this point home inside your mind and body. Here is a good example of what I am talking about:
List of things I don’t give a crap about:
• Wins and Losses
• Records
• Past results of myself or my opponents
• Newspapers, Forums, Predictions, Rankings
• Past accomplishments of mine or my opponents
• Common opponents or past times competing against each other
• What other people think about me
• What other people will say to me if I win or lose
• What will happen if I win or lose
• Coaches, parents, friends, etc opinion about me
• Other people’s expectations
I am not saying that other people don’t matter and not to listen to coaches or parents. I am saying that being preoccupied with these thoughts has been long recognized to blow performances. So it is crucial that you train yourself to think this way, and only care about things you can control. You control outcomes indirectly, by preparing yourself with mental and physical training and not getting in your own way mentally by worrying about things outside of your control.
Remember about 9 out of 10 people will spend no time on their mentality and will continue to care about uncontrollable factors. You need to be the 1 out of 10 athletes that DOES NOT CARE about these things.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 18, 2010
Mindset Monday 10/18/10- Unshakable Confidence Part 3
What philosophy do you live by?
The past two weeks I have written about the importance of Confidence to your success. We have also gone over concrete, research supported techniques to improve your Confidence.
Today I would like to go deeper into Confidence at its most fundamental level. It seems to me that Confident people all share something in common- they know what they believe- in the world and in themselves.
To truly improve your Confidence at its deepest level, I would recommend soul searching to find what it is you believe in.
Some people put their faith in a higher power, others put it in science, still others trust a combination of the two. Whatever it is, you must decide what you believe about the world and yourself. What philosophy do you live by? You may believe in your own blend of several different philosophies. That is fine too. The important thing is that you know what you believe- about yourself and about the world.
Many religions and philosophies have at their roots the belief that people are powerful beyond belief; created in the image of an immortal. Others believe in Chi, inner energy, or the vibration of the universe. My recommendation is to find what you believe in- read about it. Then, write it down on a piece of paper that you refer to several times a week to remind yourself what you believe in. Life will throw curve balls at you and unexpected events will occur that both have the capacity to derail you from your center (core beliefs about the world). Be open-minded and never too rigid, but it is crucial to know what you believe.
Even if you are not a believer in a higher power you can still have a belief in science and research. You can still be a believer in science if you have faith in a higher power. In both cases, you can be confident that all of the techniques and strategies I offer you every week are the best available from the latest available evidence.
One thing that always gave me Confidence to face my fears head on and go after my goals was my strong faith. I have a list of favorite Bible Quotes that I continue to read weekly. They keep things in perspective for me and remind me what I believe in. If you are interested in seeing my list of Motivational Bible Quotes from both the Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) and New Testament, I have attached that blog for you here:
http://gzchristian.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-04-06T23%3A38%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
Reminder that Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all share a reverence for the Old Testament, whereas the New Testament is more Christianity specific. I included both so as to reach the broadest audience possible.
Again, if you are not religious, it is still to know what you believe in. If you know what you believe in, it will carry over to the field of play. You will have things in perspective and have a deep feeling of inner Confidence that will be very difficult to beat.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
The past two weeks I have written about the importance of Confidence to your success. We have also gone over concrete, research supported techniques to improve your Confidence.
Today I would like to go deeper into Confidence at its most fundamental level. It seems to me that Confident people all share something in common- they know what they believe- in the world and in themselves.
To truly improve your Confidence at its deepest level, I would recommend soul searching to find what it is you believe in.
Some people put their faith in a higher power, others put it in science, still others trust a combination of the two. Whatever it is, you must decide what you believe about the world and yourself. What philosophy do you live by? You may believe in your own blend of several different philosophies. That is fine too. The important thing is that you know what you believe- about yourself and about the world.
Many religions and philosophies have at their roots the belief that people are powerful beyond belief; created in the image of an immortal. Others believe in Chi, inner energy, or the vibration of the universe. My recommendation is to find what you believe in- read about it. Then, write it down on a piece of paper that you refer to several times a week to remind yourself what you believe in. Life will throw curve balls at you and unexpected events will occur that both have the capacity to derail you from your center (core beliefs about the world). Be open-minded and never too rigid, but it is crucial to know what you believe.
Even if you are not a believer in a higher power you can still have a belief in science and research. You can still be a believer in science if you have faith in a higher power. In both cases, you can be confident that all of the techniques and strategies I offer you every week are the best available from the latest available evidence.
One thing that always gave me Confidence to face my fears head on and go after my goals was my strong faith. I have a list of favorite Bible Quotes that I continue to read weekly. They keep things in perspective for me and remind me what I believe in. If you are interested in seeing my list of Motivational Bible Quotes from both the Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) and New Testament, I have attached that blog for you here:
http://gzchristian.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-04-06T23%3A38%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
Reminder that Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all share a reverence for the Old Testament, whereas the New Testament is more Christianity specific. I included both so as to reach the broadest audience possible.
Again, if you are not religious, it is still to know what you believe in. If you know what you believe in, it will carry over to the field of play. You will have things in perspective and have a deep feeling of inner Confidence that will be very difficult to beat.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mindset Monday 10/11/10- Build Confidence Part 2
Confidence is so important to our success I have decided to do at least a 3 part series continuing from last week.
What else can we do to build Unstoppable Confidence?
A different approach to building confidence is taken from behavioral theorists (a major branch of psychology).
It may be common sense that the body listens to the mind. If we start to have thoughts like, “I am not good enough,” the body will probably start sweating, your heart will start racing etc. But what may not be such common sense is that the mind also listens to the body. Indeed, after seeing one’s body sweat and feeling one’s own heart race, the mind will look at this and decide, “I must be nervous because my body looks nervous.” This will make a person even more nervous than they were originally!
How do we stop the cycle?
We do not need to be Confident, we must simply ACT CONFIDENT! Muhammad Ali was the master of this. He said he was scared to death before every fight. He did not appear this way though because he ACTED CONFIDENT. He moved confident, he spoke confident, etc. When he or anyone else does this, your mind sees your body’s actions and decides, you must really be confident.
Can you be happy right now? Maybe, maybe not.
Can you think happy thoughts right now? Again, maybe, maybe not.
Can you smile? YES, anyone can smile. And studies show that we smile when we are happy and also WHEN WE SMILE- WE FEEL HAPPIER.
Apply this to Confidence. ACT AS IF, even if you do not feel this way. Fake it till you make it. Better still- fake it till you feel it!
(Dr. Gilbert)
Tony Robbins gives this exercise- Get yourself upset, or mad, or in some negative mood and then make a Big Smile and Look up in the air. You cannot stay mad, because you are sending your mind mixed signals. This will at very least break the cycle we spoke of earlier.
* Know in advance what Confidence looks like. What do you look like when you are confident? How do you move? How do you speak? How do you hold your head? What gestures go with your confident feeling? When you get this feeling of confidence remember how you look so you can make yourself do these same things when you need to be confident in the future. Practice doing this a lot before competition. As always, you do not want to practice for the first time before a competition. You want to get this look down.
* If you do not know how you look when you are confident, look at other people who you perceive as confident and watch how they move, walk, talk, hold their head, gestures, etc. and DO THAT. This will remind you of Confidence and you doing this will in turn make you feel confident. Your body moving around confidently will remind your mind to feel CONFIDENT.
*Add a gesture (or cue) every time you practice ACTING CONFIDENTLY. This will strengthen the connection between you mind and body so you will feel maximally confident when you need it most.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
What else can we do to build Unstoppable Confidence?
A different approach to building confidence is taken from behavioral theorists (a major branch of psychology).
It may be common sense that the body listens to the mind. If we start to have thoughts like, “I am not good enough,” the body will probably start sweating, your heart will start racing etc. But what may not be such common sense is that the mind also listens to the body. Indeed, after seeing one’s body sweat and feeling one’s own heart race, the mind will look at this and decide, “I must be nervous because my body looks nervous.” This will make a person even more nervous than they were originally!
How do we stop the cycle?
We do not need to be Confident, we must simply ACT CONFIDENT! Muhammad Ali was the master of this. He said he was scared to death before every fight. He did not appear this way though because he ACTED CONFIDENT. He moved confident, he spoke confident, etc. When he or anyone else does this, your mind sees your body’s actions and decides, you must really be confident.
Can you be happy right now? Maybe, maybe not.
Can you think happy thoughts right now? Again, maybe, maybe not.
Can you smile? YES, anyone can smile. And studies show that we smile when we are happy and also WHEN WE SMILE- WE FEEL HAPPIER.
Apply this to Confidence. ACT AS IF, even if you do not feel this way. Fake it till you make it. Better still- fake it till you feel it!
(Dr. Gilbert)
Tony Robbins gives this exercise- Get yourself upset, or mad, or in some negative mood and then make a Big Smile and Look up in the air. You cannot stay mad, because you are sending your mind mixed signals. This will at very least break the cycle we spoke of earlier.
* Know in advance what Confidence looks like. What do you look like when you are confident? How do you move? How do you speak? How do you hold your head? What gestures go with your confident feeling? When you get this feeling of confidence remember how you look so you can make yourself do these same things when you need to be confident in the future. Practice doing this a lot before competition. As always, you do not want to practice for the first time before a competition. You want to get this look down.
* If you do not know how you look when you are confident, look at other people who you perceive as confident and watch how they move, walk, talk, hold their head, gestures, etc. and DO THAT. This will remind you of Confidence and you doing this will in turn make you feel confident. Your body moving around confidently will remind your mind to feel CONFIDENT.
*Add a gesture (or cue) every time you practice ACTING CONFIDENTLY. This will strengthen the connection between you mind and body so you will feel maximally confident when you need it most.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mindset Monday 10/4/10- Building Confidence
There is no factor more crucial to your Success than our Self-Confidence.
To be successful, you must truly believe that you are capable of achieving that which you are attempting. Technique and skills are important, but they are nothing if you perform them half heartedly. The main reason people do not perform technique and skills at 100% is because they deep down do not believe that it will work. They have some doubt that they will achieve what they are trying. When you take a shot in wrestling, expect to get the leg. When you swing a bat, expect to hit the ball. When you throw a block, expect the other guy to go down.
We have all heard these little pieces of advice. But as always, do not say to yourself, "I already know this.” Instead, ask yourself, “how well do I apply this?”
Here is how you build Unstoppable Confidence:
*Make a long list of your successes and positive attributes both on and off the field of play. On one side of the paper, write your sport and everything you have ever accomplished, great performances, and positive attributes you possess. They key here is to pick out every little thing. Do not hold back. Write even little things. On the other side of the paper write Life and make another list of accomplishments, achievements, and positive attributes. Stock pile even small successes. Read this paper once a day for a few months, then continue to revisit it once or twice a week. You want to ingrain this list in your mind, so when you step into a situation where you have doubts, you can very easily call to mind reasons why you can succeed and overcome the doubt. It will be difficult to overcome doubt in the moment without a plan. So it is important you hammer this list into your mind so you will be well equipped to handle doubt.
*Write out reasons why you will succeed in your goal. Or imagine that you already accomplished your goal. Write out reasons why you accomplished it. This type of thinking gives your mind a shift in focus. You go from looking at your goal as a dream, to now looking at your goal as a real possibility. Why are your skills good enough to win? Has anyone very successful used the same skills to win? Are their people who are similar to you who have achieved the same thing you want? These are all reasons why you can succeed.
*Forget about being realistic. Most psychologists and philosophers dispute what realism even means and how perspective is very subjective (see post-modernism). I think most people use it as a cop out- an excuse if you lose. Live in your own reality. The 90/10 rule in economics and success is that 10% of the people control 90% of the money. This is sad but true about success too. Think like the 10% of the people who succeed, not like the 90% of people who do not. Read biographies of success stories. Talk to these people when you are making decisions. Take successful people out to lunch and pick their brains. I guarantee you they do not think like the 90% of the people you hang out with. Would you rather a safety in numbers being with the 90% so you have a good excuse if you lose? Or do you want to join the company of champions? The choice is yours. Throw “realism” out the window. Make a list of what you believe or what you would need to believe to be a success and read this list everyday along with your accomplishment list. Live in your own reality.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
To be successful, you must truly believe that you are capable of achieving that which you are attempting. Technique and skills are important, but they are nothing if you perform them half heartedly. The main reason people do not perform technique and skills at 100% is because they deep down do not believe that it will work. They have some doubt that they will achieve what they are trying. When you take a shot in wrestling, expect to get the leg. When you swing a bat, expect to hit the ball. When you throw a block, expect the other guy to go down.
We have all heard these little pieces of advice. But as always, do not say to yourself, "I already know this.” Instead, ask yourself, “how well do I apply this?”
Here is how you build Unstoppable Confidence:
*Make a long list of your successes and positive attributes both on and off the field of play. On one side of the paper, write your sport and everything you have ever accomplished, great performances, and positive attributes you possess. They key here is to pick out every little thing. Do not hold back. Write even little things. On the other side of the paper write Life and make another list of accomplishments, achievements, and positive attributes. Stock pile even small successes. Read this paper once a day for a few months, then continue to revisit it once or twice a week. You want to ingrain this list in your mind, so when you step into a situation where you have doubts, you can very easily call to mind reasons why you can succeed and overcome the doubt. It will be difficult to overcome doubt in the moment without a plan. So it is important you hammer this list into your mind so you will be well equipped to handle doubt.
*Write out reasons why you will succeed in your goal. Or imagine that you already accomplished your goal. Write out reasons why you accomplished it. This type of thinking gives your mind a shift in focus. You go from looking at your goal as a dream, to now looking at your goal as a real possibility. Why are your skills good enough to win? Has anyone very successful used the same skills to win? Are their people who are similar to you who have achieved the same thing you want? These are all reasons why you can succeed.
*Forget about being realistic. Most psychologists and philosophers dispute what realism even means and how perspective is very subjective (see post-modernism). I think most people use it as a cop out- an excuse if you lose. Live in your own reality. The 90/10 rule in economics and success is that 10% of the people control 90% of the money. This is sad but true about success too. Think like the 10% of the people who succeed, not like the 90% of people who do not. Read biographies of success stories. Talk to these people when you are making decisions. Take successful people out to lunch and pick their brains. I guarantee you they do not think like the 90% of the people you hang out with. Would you rather a safety in numbers being with the 90% so you have a good excuse if you lose? Or do you want to join the company of champions? The choice is yours. Throw “realism” out the window. Make a list of what you believe or what you would need to believe to be a success and read this list everyday along with your accomplishment list. Live in your own reality.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 27, 2010
Mindset Monday 9/27/10 - Sleep Like a Baby the Night Before Competitions
One major issue performers claim to have is a severely impaired, if not, complete inability to sleep the night before a competition. I have not seen too many experts address this very important issue. We all know the importance of rest for our bodies and minds to perform at their optimal. Here are some tips to help you sleep like a baby the night before competition, so you can be at your best when you need it most. As with any good performance advice, they include both mind and body.
(1) Avoid sugar and caffeine the night before competition. This may not pose a problem for athletes who need to make weight the next day, but this is important for everyone to remember. A wrestler who can have a few ounces to drink the night before should probably choose something other than soda. This will give your body a biological edge in getting to sleep soon.
(2) Have a routine you perform every night before you go to sleep. This could include washing up, prayers, cleaning your room, deep breathing, or whatever (try to avoid physical activity which can wake your body up). Perform this every night, so the night before competition you have a set routine and you will not be pacing around endlessly thinking of competition. The more you do this routine, the better it will work for you when you need it. Do not make the night before competition the first time you do this.
(3) Include deep breathing as one of the final parts of your pre-sleep routine. Deep breathing is known to lower heart rate and improve relaxation. Remember: all breathing is done in your stomach (your chest and arms should not move) inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth for 3x as long as you inhaled. Think about nothing more than breathing.
(4) Use visualization and symbols to your advantage. As you lay in bed, picture yourself as a bear getting ready to hibernate (or use any symbol or idea you can relate to). The point is to see yourself as the symbol and put you in a relaxed state of mind. You can also imagine yourself stepping into a very comfortable environment (happy place, worlds most comfortable room,etc. etc. use your imagination) and see yourself at ease and slowly but surely drifting away into a completely blissful sleep. Incorporate this into your pre-sleep routine every night. The more times you pair this image to a peaceful sleep, the better it will serve you the night before a competition.
(5) Plan Ahead. Find out a week in advance what time you will need to be awake for your competition and what time you will need to go to sleep to be awake for that time. Start going to bed at that time a week ahead. This will get your body adjusted to feeling sleepy at the right time. Why do we always wait until the night before competition to go to sleep at a decent hour? Do you expect your body to be able to make such an adjustment in one night (especially while you have other hings on your mind). Your body has a rhythm you can use to your advantage.
(6) Accept. Accept that your mind may wander and you may feel some nervousness the night before you compete. This is natural. It is nothing to get into a panic over. We all get nervous, the trick is to stop worrying there. Do not worry about getting worried. We all do this from time to time. Remind yourself that your mind will often play tricks on you the night before to get you to over think things. Have a sense of humor with it. Be able to laugh at yourself and your mind's games. Accept that this is natural and you will gain control over your mind. When you do not accept yourself and your mind, you allow your body and mind to engage in a civil war against one another. Resistance causes tension and discord, acceptance causes peace and tranquility. Remember, it takes no effort to relax. Relaxation is the state of being your body and mind naturally want to be in. You have all the best drugs and tranquilizers already inside your body.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
(1) Avoid sugar and caffeine the night before competition. This may not pose a problem for athletes who need to make weight the next day, but this is important for everyone to remember. A wrestler who can have a few ounces to drink the night before should probably choose something other than soda. This will give your body a biological edge in getting to sleep soon.
(2) Have a routine you perform every night before you go to sleep. This could include washing up, prayers, cleaning your room, deep breathing, or whatever (try to avoid physical activity which can wake your body up). Perform this every night, so the night before competition you have a set routine and you will not be pacing around endlessly thinking of competition. The more you do this routine, the better it will work for you when you need it. Do not make the night before competition the first time you do this.
(3) Include deep breathing as one of the final parts of your pre-sleep routine. Deep breathing is known to lower heart rate and improve relaxation. Remember: all breathing is done in your stomach (your chest and arms should not move) inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth for 3x as long as you inhaled. Think about nothing more than breathing.
(4) Use visualization and symbols to your advantage. As you lay in bed, picture yourself as a bear getting ready to hibernate (or use any symbol or idea you can relate to). The point is to see yourself as the symbol and put you in a relaxed state of mind. You can also imagine yourself stepping into a very comfortable environment (happy place, worlds most comfortable room,etc. etc. use your imagination) and see yourself at ease and slowly but surely drifting away into a completely blissful sleep. Incorporate this into your pre-sleep routine every night. The more times you pair this image to a peaceful sleep, the better it will serve you the night before a competition.
(5) Plan Ahead. Find out a week in advance what time you will need to be awake for your competition and what time you will need to go to sleep to be awake for that time. Start going to bed at that time a week ahead. This will get your body adjusted to feeling sleepy at the right time. Why do we always wait until the night before competition to go to sleep at a decent hour? Do you expect your body to be able to make such an adjustment in one night (especially while you have other hings on your mind). Your body has a rhythm you can use to your advantage.
(6) Accept. Accept that your mind may wander and you may feel some nervousness the night before you compete. This is natural. It is nothing to get into a panic over. We all get nervous, the trick is to stop worrying there. Do not worry about getting worried. We all do this from time to time. Remind yourself that your mind will often play tricks on you the night before to get you to over think things. Have a sense of humor with it. Be able to laugh at yourself and your mind's games. Accept that this is natural and you will gain control over your mind. When you do not accept yourself and your mind, you allow your body and mind to engage in a civil war against one another. Resistance causes tension and discord, acceptance causes peace and tranquility. Remember, it takes no effort to relax. Relaxation is the state of being your body and mind naturally want to be in. You have all the best drugs and tranquilizers already inside your body.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 20, 2010
Mindset Monday 9/20/10 - 3 Purposes of Sport Psychology
The 3 Purposes of Sport/Performance Psychology
1. Help you determine what you want- Your Goal.
2. Help you create a plan of action to get to your goal.
3. Help you to get out of your own way.
Step 1 is to determine what it is you want to accomplish. Lou Holtz always says everyone needs 4 things in this world (1) something to do (2) someone to love (3) something to believe in (4) something to hope for. He was talking about goals. Determine what you love. What is your passion? Or, what is an area of your life you wish to get control over?
Step 2. Many people, and most athletes have step 1 completed. (If you don’t, that’s ok, just work on step 1 first then). They know what they love and what they want to accomplish. The next step is to write out a full and comprehensive plan of action that will take you from point A (where you are now) to point B (your goal). You must determine all the important aspects of your sport or activity- mental and physical. There should be several physical areas you must work on ie. technique, strength, conditioning, etc. as well as several mental areas you must improve ie. Confidence, staying relaxed, positive self-talk, etc. Then once you have all the areas of your field down, you must write out a very specific way in which you will improve them. You cannot just say “my conditioning needs to get better, so I will work harder.” This is a great goal, but the plan to get in better shape must be specific- I will run 10 sprints after every practice or I will make sure I am the hardest worker in the room- first one in, last one out.
Step 3 is a lifelong journey- stepping out of your own way. Believe it or not, we are the major obstacle between ourselves and our own success. We often think negatively, doubt our abilities, try to impress others, over think things, get distracted, lose focus, etc. etc. If we can overcome ourselves, we can accomplish anything. There are proven ways to help you succeed in Step 3, but they must be practiced and lived on a regular basis. We all battle demons in our own way. I always tell my athletes not to worry about beating their opponents. If they can win the battle within, they can beat anyone. Sport Psychology Experts main job is this step. Make sure you know how to master this area, or get someone who can assist you in doing so-
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
1. Help you determine what you want- Your Goal.
2. Help you create a plan of action to get to your goal.
3. Help you to get out of your own way.
Step 1 is to determine what it is you want to accomplish. Lou Holtz always says everyone needs 4 things in this world (1) something to do (2) someone to love (3) something to believe in (4) something to hope for. He was talking about goals. Determine what you love. What is your passion? Or, what is an area of your life you wish to get control over?
Step 2. Many people, and most athletes have step 1 completed. (If you don’t, that’s ok, just work on step 1 first then). They know what they love and what they want to accomplish. The next step is to write out a full and comprehensive plan of action that will take you from point A (where you are now) to point B (your goal). You must determine all the important aspects of your sport or activity- mental and physical. There should be several physical areas you must work on ie. technique, strength, conditioning, etc. as well as several mental areas you must improve ie. Confidence, staying relaxed, positive self-talk, etc. Then once you have all the areas of your field down, you must write out a very specific way in which you will improve them. You cannot just say “my conditioning needs to get better, so I will work harder.” This is a great goal, but the plan to get in better shape must be specific- I will run 10 sprints after every practice or I will make sure I am the hardest worker in the room- first one in, last one out.
Step 3 is a lifelong journey- stepping out of your own way. Believe it or not, we are the major obstacle between ourselves and our own success. We often think negatively, doubt our abilities, try to impress others, over think things, get distracted, lose focus, etc. etc. If we can overcome ourselves, we can accomplish anything. There are proven ways to help you succeed in Step 3, but they must be practiced and lived on a regular basis. We all battle demons in our own way. I always tell my athletes not to worry about beating their opponents. If they can win the battle within, they can beat anyone. Sport Psychology Experts main job is this step. Make sure you know how to master this area, or get someone who can assist you in doing so-
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mindset Monday 9/13/10- The 4 Rules of Sport Psychology
I created a simple set of 4 basic rules of Sport Psychology to make things as easy for people as possible.
(1) One thing at a time
(2) Keep it simple
(3) Write it down
(4) When in doubt, don't think, ACT.
(1) One thing at a time: There is usually alot going on in our minds at once (both consciously and unconsciously). When trying to correct your mindset, there is a tendency to come up with many things we wish to improve. This will only overwhelm you. Make a list of a few things you wish to improve mentally, and then try to prioritize your most important 3 things. Then, spend time on ONE of these at a time.
(2) Keep it simple: "Rome was not built in a day." Do not overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much right away. Notice in #1 I did not say "make sure you pick the most important 3 things." I said TRY. Do not beat yourself up if you later realize there is something else you would like to work on. Just move forward with what you have for now. Take it slow. If you are persistent and consistent, little modifications will change your life.
(3) Write it down: The mind is abstract, you must make it concrete. Did you ever notice you will have a good idea or insight and later forget it after you get distracted by something small? This is how the mind works. We could have great ideas and flashes of insight, but soon forget them. So it is important to write down your thoughts and ideas as soon as you can after having them. For an athlete, this means right after competition (not before or during) writing down your pre-competition and/or during competition mindset. Whether you perform well or poorly, you want to remember what was going on in your mind so you can work on it by making necessary corrections and also reminding yourself of good thoughts you had. This also goes for writing down your goals and your action plan to reach them. Have it written down- this has been shown to increase compliance and effort.
(4) When in doubt, don't think, ACT: How many times did you ever think you should get a work out in, only to sit around and eventually talk yourself out of it? Sometimes we talk to ourselves so much about the annoyance or misery of a task for so long, by the time we finish these thoughts, we would have already been halfway done with the workout or task. Don't over think or over analyze tasks, training, or actions, just do them. Get them done with (not going through the motions), but get them done. Many people find this interesting advice from a Sport Psychology Expert, but the mastery of Performance Mentality lies in action, often analysis paralyzes us. Like Nike says, just do it.
(5!) Consult with a Sport Psychology Expert: even people with great knowledge of this material could still benefit from an experts point of view. I was very familiar with these concepts as a competitor, but still benefited greatly from meeting with my teams Sport Psychologist. This is because we are often blinded by some of our own flaws and it is difficult to assess ourselves without being a little bias. Bottom line- take advantage of the experts around you.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
(1) One thing at a time
(2) Keep it simple
(3) Write it down
(4) When in doubt, don't think, ACT.
(1) One thing at a time: There is usually alot going on in our minds at once (both consciously and unconsciously). When trying to correct your mindset, there is a tendency to come up with many things we wish to improve. This will only overwhelm you. Make a list of a few things you wish to improve mentally, and then try to prioritize your most important 3 things. Then, spend time on ONE of these at a time.
(2) Keep it simple: "Rome was not built in a day." Do not overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much right away. Notice in #1 I did not say "make sure you pick the most important 3 things." I said TRY. Do not beat yourself up if you later realize there is something else you would like to work on. Just move forward with what you have for now. Take it slow. If you are persistent and consistent, little modifications will change your life.
(3) Write it down: The mind is abstract, you must make it concrete. Did you ever notice you will have a good idea or insight and later forget it after you get distracted by something small? This is how the mind works. We could have great ideas and flashes of insight, but soon forget them. So it is important to write down your thoughts and ideas as soon as you can after having them. For an athlete, this means right after competition (not before or during) writing down your pre-competition and/or during competition mindset. Whether you perform well or poorly, you want to remember what was going on in your mind so you can work on it by making necessary corrections and also reminding yourself of good thoughts you had. This also goes for writing down your goals and your action plan to reach them. Have it written down- this has been shown to increase compliance and effort.
(4) When in doubt, don't think, ACT: How many times did you ever think you should get a work out in, only to sit around and eventually talk yourself out of it? Sometimes we talk to ourselves so much about the annoyance or misery of a task for so long, by the time we finish these thoughts, we would have already been halfway done with the workout or task. Don't over think or over analyze tasks, training, or actions, just do them. Get them done with (not going through the motions), but get them done. Many people find this interesting advice from a Sport Psychology Expert, but the mastery of Performance Mentality lies in action, often analysis paralyzes us. Like Nike says, just do it.
(5!) Consult with a Sport Psychology Expert: even people with great knowledge of this material could still benefit from an experts point of view. I was very familiar with these concepts as a competitor, but still benefited greatly from meeting with my teams Sport Psychologist. This is because we are often blinded by some of our own flaws and it is difficult to assess ourselves without being a little bias. Bottom line- take advantage of the experts around you.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 6, 2010
Mindset Monday 9/6/10- Attitude
Attitude
Success is not determined by your motivation before the game, but by your attitude throughout the game.
Many coaches and players give big pep talks before the game to increase the teams motivation to win a game. This usually leads to bursts of energy on the first few plays or minutes of the game. John Wooden, the greatest coach of all time, did not believe in pep talks for this very reason. He wanted players attitudes consistent throughout the game, not just in the beginning. Wooden maintained that a pep talk causes a spike in energy. Life is full of peaks and valleys. After one peaks, one soon crashes. Therefore it is not good to raise and lower the players level. Instead, have a consistently intense attitude throughout the game.
It is necessary to raise ones intensity at different points of the game when the situation calls for it. But we let the game dictate this spike in intensity. I am not saying that pep talks are bogus and that we should never use them. I am saying that motivation is something that should be instilled in athletes well before games. Athletes should be already approaching each game with a burning desire to win. A team that needs a big rah rah talk before competing probably does not already have the will to win instilled in them.
Save your pep talks for practice. The day of a game you should be doing the same thing you always do- being intense, smart, and under control. Game day is just another day at the office. Everything is important, but nothing is special. Don’t make games special by delivering heroic Hollywood pep talks (this is inspiring in movies, but does not usually pan out so well in reality). Once we make a competition special, we start trying too hard which almost always takes away from the natural fluidity of our movements. Trying too hard, which often stems from pep talks, is usually contrary to living in the moment because it hypes up an event. To achieve the Flow State or that can’t miss feeling of being in the zone, have your attitude consistent from the start of the game until the final whistle sounds.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Success is not determined by your motivation before the game, but by your attitude throughout the game.
Many coaches and players give big pep talks before the game to increase the teams motivation to win a game. This usually leads to bursts of energy on the first few plays or minutes of the game. John Wooden, the greatest coach of all time, did not believe in pep talks for this very reason. He wanted players attitudes consistent throughout the game, not just in the beginning. Wooden maintained that a pep talk causes a spike in energy. Life is full of peaks and valleys. After one peaks, one soon crashes. Therefore it is not good to raise and lower the players level. Instead, have a consistently intense attitude throughout the game.
It is necessary to raise ones intensity at different points of the game when the situation calls for it. But we let the game dictate this spike in intensity. I am not saying that pep talks are bogus and that we should never use them. I am saying that motivation is something that should be instilled in athletes well before games. Athletes should be already approaching each game with a burning desire to win. A team that needs a big rah rah talk before competing probably does not already have the will to win instilled in them.
Save your pep talks for practice. The day of a game you should be doing the same thing you always do- being intense, smart, and under control. Game day is just another day at the office. Everything is important, but nothing is special. Don’t make games special by delivering heroic Hollywood pep talks (this is inspiring in movies, but does not usually pan out so well in reality). Once we make a competition special, we start trying too hard which almost always takes away from the natural fluidity of our movements. Trying too hard, which often stems from pep talks, is usually contrary to living in the moment because it hypes up an event. To achieve the Flow State or that can’t miss feeling of being in the zone, have your attitude consistent from the start of the game until the final whistle sounds.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 30, 2010
Mindset Monday 8/30/10- Optimal Point
For many people, including myself, the new school year begins today. Many people, myself included, have big goals for this coming year- academically, athletically, socially, spiritually, mentally, and/or emotionally. Whatever your goals may be, the time is now to start firing on all cylinders.
Start doing things right early in the year. Set up a schedule. Make sure you have a plan for how and when you will train and study. Make a commitment to proper eating and sleeping patterns. Having an idea in your head is okay, but putting it down on paper is even better. When you write something down, it becomes a commitment. You become accountable to that piece of paper; that’s a good thing.
First we form habits, then they form us. Make sure you begin good habits, and the rest of the year will be easier. Make sure your plan is challenging. A challenging plan will help you bring out your best and achieve a high level. You want your plan to be attainable. You must make time for fun, recreation, rest, and recovery. You have hear the importance of Balance in your life. Even more important is a concept I call Optimal Point.
Balance would be making sure your work and play have equal amounts of time. Optimal Point is a realistic concept for how your time can be managed. Sometimes you need to work extremely hard, so at these points you do not want balance; you want to empty your tank. Other times it is important to take some time off, and it is not always on the weekend. You need to know what you need to do individually and live your life by that, not by norms. This is Optimal Point.
Many times my schedule would allow a free Tuesday to go to the beach and other times I would be in studying and training all Friday and Saturday night. You need to know your goals and shift your weight accordingly. Give an honest listen to your body, not the crowd and know when you need to turn it on and off. While studying, study 100%; when working out, work out 100%. I have always found a solid 30 minutes on doing anything (mind and body fully committed to the present action and nothing else) gives a greater pay back than 3 hours of doing that same thing half hearted. Save yourself time and be present 100% to whatever you’re doing. Utilize the natural breaks the days give you. This is Optimal Point.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Start doing things right early in the year. Set up a schedule. Make sure you have a plan for how and when you will train and study. Make a commitment to proper eating and sleeping patterns. Having an idea in your head is okay, but putting it down on paper is even better. When you write something down, it becomes a commitment. You become accountable to that piece of paper; that’s a good thing.
First we form habits, then they form us. Make sure you begin good habits, and the rest of the year will be easier. Make sure your plan is challenging. A challenging plan will help you bring out your best and achieve a high level. You want your plan to be attainable. You must make time for fun, recreation, rest, and recovery. You have hear the importance of Balance in your life. Even more important is a concept I call Optimal Point.
Balance would be making sure your work and play have equal amounts of time. Optimal Point is a realistic concept for how your time can be managed. Sometimes you need to work extremely hard, so at these points you do not want balance; you want to empty your tank. Other times it is important to take some time off, and it is not always on the weekend. You need to know what you need to do individually and live your life by that, not by norms. This is Optimal Point.
Many times my schedule would allow a free Tuesday to go to the beach and other times I would be in studying and training all Friday and Saturday night. You need to know your goals and shift your weight accordingly. Give an honest listen to your body, not the crowd and know when you need to turn it on and off. While studying, study 100%; when working out, work out 100%. I have always found a solid 30 minutes on doing anything (mind and body fully committed to the present action and nothing else) gives a greater pay back than 3 hours of doing that same thing half hearted. Save yourself time and be present 100% to whatever you’re doing. Utilize the natural breaks the days give you. This is Optimal Point.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mindset Monday 8/23/10- Preparation quotes and thoughts
“Failing to plan, is planning to fail.”
*Studies show that the magic number is 10,000. To be a master at something you need to put around 10,000 hours into it or do it 10,000 times, so get started immediately.
“The will to win is great, the will to prepare to win is even more important.”
“If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to dream.”
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
“When you’re not practicing, someone else is, and when you meet that person he is going to beat you.”
“Luck is what happens when Preparation meets opportunity.”
“You can’t practice a move once and expect to get it, you need to do it thousands and thousands of times.”
“The best wrestlers wrestle more than anyone else. The best singers sing more than anyone else. The best painters paint more than anyone else. Etc. etc.”
“Good things happen to those who get to work.”
“There’s a difference in being in practice and being into practice. There’s a difference between being in class and being into class. etc. etc. Get into it!”
“Success is simple, it’s not easy though- out work your opponent.”
“Prepare for 90% of all possible circumstances, and the 10% you cannot prepare for, you will be ready for.”
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
*Studies show that the magic number is 10,000. To be a master at something you need to put around 10,000 hours into it or do it 10,000 times, so get started immediately.
“The will to win is great, the will to prepare to win is even more important.”
“If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to dream.”
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
“When you’re not practicing, someone else is, and when you meet that person he is going to beat you.”
“Luck is what happens when Preparation meets opportunity.”
“You can’t practice a move once and expect to get it, you need to do it thousands and thousands of times.”
“The best wrestlers wrestle more than anyone else. The best singers sing more than anyone else. The best painters paint more than anyone else. Etc. etc.”
“Good things happen to those who get to work.”
“There’s a difference in being in practice and being into practice. There’s a difference between being in class and being into class. etc. etc. Get into it!”
“Success is simple, it’s not easy though- out work your opponent.”
“Prepare for 90% of all possible circumstances, and the 10% you cannot prepare for, you will be ready for.”
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 16, 2010
Mindset Monday 8/16/10 - Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Most people think of goal setting in terms of what they want to have- an end result. While this end result is important, this is only one part of what comprises goal setting, much like the transmission is only one part of a car. It is important, but not everything.
The main tip I always give in goal setting is BEHAVE. If you can correctly spell this word you understand goal setting. BE must come before the word HAVE. Focus on the type of person you need to BE, not on what you want to HAVE. You must first BE the kind of person who will HAVE what you want to HAVE. Focus on Being disciplined, motivated, resilient, and tough. Once you BE this way, you will HAVE the things you want to HAVE.
There are two types of goals- Outcome goals and Process goals. Outcome goals consist of Long-Term Goals (ie. State championship), and Short Term goals (win the next competition). Outcome goals are only indirectly under your control. You cannot control an outcome because there are far too many variables. So you control the outcome the best you can by controlling the things that are within your control. This is where Process goals come in.
Process goals include Practice goals (things you wish to learn and master in this practice) and an Action Plan which is a specific and comprehensive plan you commit to carry out which covers all areas of your sport- ie. technique/skills, strength, conditioning, mindset, nutrition, rest/recovery.
You should set a big Long-term goal if you are committed to your sport. Your primary focus however, should be on your Process Goals and who you have to BE. This is thorough goal setting.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Most people think of goal setting in terms of what they want to have- an end result. While this end result is important, this is only one part of what comprises goal setting, much like the transmission is only one part of a car. It is important, but not everything.
The main tip I always give in goal setting is BEHAVE. If you can correctly spell this word you understand goal setting. BE must come before the word HAVE. Focus on the type of person you need to BE, not on what you want to HAVE. You must first BE the kind of person who will HAVE what you want to HAVE. Focus on Being disciplined, motivated, resilient, and tough. Once you BE this way, you will HAVE the things you want to HAVE.
There are two types of goals- Outcome goals and Process goals. Outcome goals consist of Long-Term Goals (ie. State championship), and Short Term goals (win the next competition). Outcome goals are only indirectly under your control. You cannot control an outcome because there are far too many variables. So you control the outcome the best you can by controlling the things that are within your control. This is where Process goals come in.
Process goals include Practice goals (things you wish to learn and master in this practice) and an Action Plan which is a specific and comprehensive plan you commit to carry out which covers all areas of your sport- ie. technique/skills, strength, conditioning, mindset, nutrition, rest/recovery.
You should set a big Long-term goal if you are committed to your sport. Your primary focus however, should be on your Process Goals and who you have to BE. This is thorough goal setting.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mindset Monday 8/9/10 - Mental Quiet
Pop Quiz: If you took three athletes of similar skill level and lined them up in a row: one athlete has all positive thoughts, the other athlete has all negative thoughts, and the last athlete has no thoughts (in essence, lights are on, no one’s home), who would win? If you are like most people, you would assume the positive thinker would win. You fail the pop quiz! Don’t worry, everybody fails the first pop quiz, all the time. We know the negative thinker wouldn’t win. But the positive thinker would lose to the non thinker.
If you think back to your best performance in competition and think what was going on in your mind during the competition…go ahead, think back…If you are like most people, you are probably saying, “I don’t know, I just__” In other words, you probably did not have much going on in your mind. While, you want to be the positive thinker walking around every day, to fill your head with empowering confident thoughts, during a performance you do not want to have any thoughts in your head. You should just be acting and reacting to the present moment.
OK, so how do you compete with a clear head? One of the best things you can do to clear your mind is putting together a specific pre-competition routine. Great performers do this instinctively. Jason Kidd blows a kiss to the basket before taking a free throw, many pitchers do the same thing before each pitch, many golfers do a certain number of practice swings each time before hitting the ball. You can modify this to your sport. Comprise a specific and detailed pre-competition routine, and practice it several times a week on your own (apart from competition). You will find that the more you do this, the more of a home feeling you will get as you perform it. When you concentrate on your pre competition routine, you will phase out all distractions including the crowd, expectations, pressure, and self conscious thoughts.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
If you think back to your best performance in competition and think what was going on in your mind during the competition…go ahead, think back…If you are like most people, you are probably saying, “I don’t know, I just__” In other words, you probably did not have much going on in your mind. While, you want to be the positive thinker walking around every day, to fill your head with empowering confident thoughts, during a performance you do not want to have any thoughts in your head. You should just be acting and reacting to the present moment.
OK, so how do you compete with a clear head? One of the best things you can do to clear your mind is putting together a specific pre-competition routine. Great performers do this instinctively. Jason Kidd blows a kiss to the basket before taking a free throw, many pitchers do the same thing before each pitch, many golfers do a certain number of practice swings each time before hitting the ball. You can modify this to your sport. Comprise a specific and detailed pre-competition routine, and practice it several times a week on your own (apart from competition). You will find that the more you do this, the more of a home feeling you will get as you perform it. When you concentrate on your pre competition routine, you will phase out all distractions including the crowd, expectations, pressure, and self conscious thoughts.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 2, 2010
Mindset Monday 8/2/10- Power of Symbols
The Power of Symbols
Psychologists have long known the importance of the Unconscious Mind in goal directed behavior. The mind contains a Conscious and Unconscious component. The conscious mind are the thoughts we choose to have, or deliberate thoughts we think. It responds to words, phrases, and sentences. The unconscious mind contains thoughts that occur below our awareness. It responded to repeat exposure of a particular stimuli, music, and feelings. For example, when we see a few McDonalds commercials on TV and then later that day we wonder why we are having an unbearable craving for McDonalds. While we thought we were not paying attention to TV, and we could not recall consciously what commercials were going on in between our favorite show, the REPEATED MESSAGE was detected and registered in our Unconscious Mind. Our goal directed behavior (deciding to go to Mickey D’s) was heavily influenced by our unconscious mind, and we didn’t even realize it.
Our Unconscious Mind is responsible for our goal directed behavior because it registers all of our imagination, dreams, fears, and insecurities even if we consciously try to suppress them. This is the reason self-sabotaging occurs- we come close to a goal that we feel we deep down do not deserve to achieve, so we do something to blow it for ourselves at the very last minute. This is not uncommon, it happens to all of us sometimes. It is first necessary to recognize this self-sabotaging which is synonymous with approach-avoidance, that goes on inside ourselves, And step 2 is to take control of our Unconscious Mind.
We take control of our Unconscious Mind by using the Repeat Exposure of Symbols- a person, super hero, animal, symbol, object, or created image. We need to know what task we wish to perform ie. throwing a ball as fast as you can, and then choose some symbol that we can personally relate to (everyone’s will probably be a little different). Perhaps one person would envision the Human Torch throwing a ball of fire right before performing the throw. Maybe a sprinter would picture a Gazelle running fast and smooth immediately before a competition. A wrestler in the bottom position may picture a bull seeing red right before the whistle blows. The symbol would then take control of the mind as opposed to a thought or self-criticism.
You can maximize the use of symbols by repeat exposure- thinking of your symbol EVERY TIME, including practice, before you perform the desired action. Also, be sure to see my previous blog on ANCHORING. Your best bet would be to choose a symbol and then an accompanied ANCHOR or PROCESS CUE. Pairing your Symbol and Process Cue would be a double whammy for your mind and would be extremely helpful in making the mental connection. Your Anchor should go with your symbol. An example of this would be a sprinter, before a race, imagining a Gazelle (Symbol) and then doing a Gazelle like hop in the air (Process Cue). Do this every time before you sprint, and you will see both mental clarity and supreme confidence. If you are not a sprinter, apply this concept to your sport.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Psychologists have long known the importance of the Unconscious Mind in goal directed behavior. The mind contains a Conscious and Unconscious component. The conscious mind are the thoughts we choose to have, or deliberate thoughts we think. It responds to words, phrases, and sentences. The unconscious mind contains thoughts that occur below our awareness. It responded to repeat exposure of a particular stimuli, music, and feelings. For example, when we see a few McDonalds commercials on TV and then later that day we wonder why we are having an unbearable craving for McDonalds. While we thought we were not paying attention to TV, and we could not recall consciously what commercials were going on in between our favorite show, the REPEATED MESSAGE was detected and registered in our Unconscious Mind. Our goal directed behavior (deciding to go to Mickey D’s) was heavily influenced by our unconscious mind, and we didn’t even realize it.
Our Unconscious Mind is responsible for our goal directed behavior because it registers all of our imagination, dreams, fears, and insecurities even if we consciously try to suppress them. This is the reason self-sabotaging occurs- we come close to a goal that we feel we deep down do not deserve to achieve, so we do something to blow it for ourselves at the very last minute. This is not uncommon, it happens to all of us sometimes. It is first necessary to recognize this self-sabotaging which is synonymous with approach-avoidance, that goes on inside ourselves, And step 2 is to take control of our Unconscious Mind.
We take control of our Unconscious Mind by using the Repeat Exposure of Symbols- a person, super hero, animal, symbol, object, or created image. We need to know what task we wish to perform ie. throwing a ball as fast as you can, and then choose some symbol that we can personally relate to (everyone’s will probably be a little different). Perhaps one person would envision the Human Torch throwing a ball of fire right before performing the throw. Maybe a sprinter would picture a Gazelle running fast and smooth immediately before a competition. A wrestler in the bottom position may picture a bull seeing red right before the whistle blows. The symbol would then take control of the mind as opposed to a thought or self-criticism.
You can maximize the use of symbols by repeat exposure- thinking of your symbol EVERY TIME, including practice, before you perform the desired action. Also, be sure to see my previous blog on ANCHORING. Your best bet would be to choose a symbol and then an accompanied ANCHOR or PROCESS CUE. Pairing your Symbol and Process Cue would be a double whammy for your mind and would be extremely helpful in making the mental connection. Your Anchor should go with your symbol. An example of this would be a sprinter, before a race, imagining a Gazelle (Symbol) and then doing a Gazelle like hop in the air (Process Cue). Do this every time before you sprint, and you will see both mental clarity and supreme confidence. If you are not a sprinter, apply this concept to your sport.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Mindset Monday 7/26/10- How to Relax Part 2
How to Relax Part 2
It is easy to train your brain to relax. We use Anchors (aka Cues) to relax, energize, and create almost any mindset we would like to have. Choose one or two words you can say to yourself (ie. Easy, Relaxed, Calm, etc etc.) and have an accompanied body movement or gesture (ie. placing your hands palms down on your upper leg or whatever you choose), this is your Cue. Every time you feel very relaxed simply do your Cue. You could also create a relaxed mindset by doing the deep breathing exercise I described last Monday, then performing your Cue. The more times you pair your Cue with a Relaxed state, the stronger this Mental Muscle will become- Just like the more times you do a bicep curl, the bigger your arms will grow. So make sure to do your Cue every time you feel relaxed. After enough repetitions, you will be able to simply perform your Cue and you will begin to feel more relaxed.
The biggest mistake you can make is deciding on a Cue and never practicing it and then expect it to work right before a competition. This is the equivalent of a bodybuilder not exercising until the day of the competition and expecting results. Pair the Cue and the Relaxed state enough and you will be able to relax at will, including right before the big competitions.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143 (908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
It is easy to train your brain to relax. We use Anchors (aka Cues) to relax, energize, and create almost any mindset we would like to have. Choose one or two words you can say to yourself (ie. Easy, Relaxed, Calm, etc etc.) and have an accompanied body movement or gesture (ie. placing your hands palms down on your upper leg or whatever you choose), this is your Cue. Every time you feel very relaxed simply do your Cue. You could also create a relaxed mindset by doing the deep breathing exercise I described last Monday, then performing your Cue. The more times you pair your Cue with a Relaxed state, the stronger this Mental Muscle will become- Just like the more times you do a bicep curl, the bigger your arms will grow. So make sure to do your Cue every time you feel relaxed. After enough repetitions, you will be able to simply perform your Cue and you will begin to feel more relaxed.
The biggest mistake you can make is deciding on a Cue and never practicing it and then expect it to work right before a competition. This is the equivalent of a bodybuilder not exercising until the day of the competition and expecting results. Pair the Cue and the Relaxed state enough and you will be able to relax at will, including right before the big competitions.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143 (908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mindset Monday 7/19/10- How to Relax Before Competition (Part 1)
Studies show that too much anxiety will kill a performance (not that you needed any studies to prove this point to you). Many coaches tell their athletes not to worry. They say to, “just relax.” Few coaches however tell their athletes exactly how to do this. The coaches are not holding anything back from their athletes, they simply may not know how to do this themselves. You can teach someone how to relax.
Step 1 is realizing that it takes no effort at all to relax. You have all natures most powerful sedatives flowing through your body at every moment. First and foremost, you must realize this.
Step 2: Breathing properly. Deep breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth. Feel your stomach expand and contract. Your chest should not move. All breathing is done in your abdomen. For every 1 second you breath in, you should breath out for 3 seconds.
Step 3 is realizing at this moment, there is nothing else in the world except your breath. You breath in, and you breath out. There is no upcoming competition, there are no other objects, there are no people, there is even no you. The only thing that exists is your breath. You breath in, you breath out, and everything else fades out of existence. (This concept is similar to Zen Buddhists- allowing oneself to regain oneness with the universe). Allow your mind to go blank. If thoughts should arise, do not react to them, do not judge them. Your mind is a reflex organ, it reacts to everything. Realize this. Realize that your mind will wander, your mind will judge, your mind will worry. Do not fight your mind. This is the equivalent of a Civil War taking place inside yourself. Allow your mind to have doubts, fears, and worries, and recognize this is a natural thing the mind does. You do not have to respond to it. You do not need to live according to your minds automatic thoughts. You have a choice. You can persist through doubts, fears, and worries.
Deep breathing increases blood flow and circulation throughout your body. You will gain physical and mental well being through taking control of your breathing. You breath consciously to regain control of your energy- your body and your mind.
Get into meditation. Read the Miracle of Mindfulness by Ticht Nacht Hahn. Learn how to Center from Aikido. Make deep breathing a part of your regular routine. Use it before you compete. I can say from personal experience that after you take deep breaths before you compete you feel like a new person. You feel energized and relaxed. Do your deep breathing about 10 minutes before you compete and do not stop until your mind is clear (not thinking about anything).
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Step 1 is realizing that it takes no effort at all to relax. You have all natures most powerful sedatives flowing through your body at every moment. First and foremost, you must realize this.
Step 2: Breathing properly. Deep breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth. Feel your stomach expand and contract. Your chest should not move. All breathing is done in your abdomen. For every 1 second you breath in, you should breath out for 3 seconds.
Step 3 is realizing at this moment, there is nothing else in the world except your breath. You breath in, and you breath out. There is no upcoming competition, there are no other objects, there are no people, there is even no you. The only thing that exists is your breath. You breath in, you breath out, and everything else fades out of existence. (This concept is similar to Zen Buddhists- allowing oneself to regain oneness with the universe). Allow your mind to go blank. If thoughts should arise, do not react to them, do not judge them. Your mind is a reflex organ, it reacts to everything. Realize this. Realize that your mind will wander, your mind will judge, your mind will worry. Do not fight your mind. This is the equivalent of a Civil War taking place inside yourself. Allow your mind to have doubts, fears, and worries, and recognize this is a natural thing the mind does. You do not have to respond to it. You do not need to live according to your minds automatic thoughts. You have a choice. You can persist through doubts, fears, and worries.
Deep breathing increases blood flow and circulation throughout your body. You will gain physical and mental well being through taking control of your breathing. You breath consciously to regain control of your energy- your body and your mind.
Get into meditation. Read the Miracle of Mindfulness by Ticht Nacht Hahn. Learn how to Center from Aikido. Make deep breathing a part of your regular routine. Use it before you compete. I can say from personal experience that after you take deep breaths before you compete you feel like a new person. You feel energized and relaxed. Do your deep breathing about 10 minutes before you compete and do not stop until your mind is clear (not thinking about anything).
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 12, 2010
Mindset Monday 7/12/10- Redefining Failure
Failure is Feedback to Champions, failure is Final to Losers. If you want to succeed you must be willing to persist through failure along the way. You want to adopt a Mastery Mindset- you are in it for the long run; you will not be deterred by the daily ups and downs.
Champions look long-term. In fact, Winners lose more than losers lose. Think about it, they have to. They put themselves on the line more. The success creed goes like this, “ I am not judged by the number of times I failed, but by the number of times I succeed, and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep moving forward.”
Now this is not to say that the Champions like losing, in fact, I am sure they hate it even more than losers. The difference is they recognize failures as part of the PROCESS to be a Success. Here are some examples who illustrate what I am talking about:
~Few people would think that the hitter who struck out most times in baseball history would be thought of as a good player, much less a baseball hall of famer, Mr. October REGGIE JACKSON.
~Or that the batter who made the most outs ever would also have the most hits- does PETE ROSE ring a bell?
~ Surely the pitcher with the most all time losses would be sent back to the minors. He wouldn't be the pitcher with the most all time wins would he? Would they name the Most Valuable Pitcher the CY YOUNG award?
~You would think the basketball player who missed over 9,000 shots, lost almost 300 games, missed the game winning shot 26 times, and cut from freshman high school team would be MICHAEL JORDAN.
~Just google the "successes and failures of ABRAHAM LINCOLN" if you want to see real adversity and bouncing back from losses!
~Thomas Edison said he didn’t fail thousand, but rather found thousands of ways NOT to invent the light bulb.
Don’t let the Fear of Failure stop you from going after your dreams. Look at the list above when you feel like quitting.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Champions look long-term. In fact, Winners lose more than losers lose. Think about it, they have to. They put themselves on the line more. The success creed goes like this, “ I am not judged by the number of times I failed, but by the number of times I succeed, and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep moving forward.”
Now this is not to say that the Champions like losing, in fact, I am sure they hate it even more than losers. The difference is they recognize failures as part of the PROCESS to be a Success. Here are some examples who illustrate what I am talking about:
~Few people would think that the hitter who struck out most times in baseball history would be thought of as a good player, much less a baseball hall of famer, Mr. October REGGIE JACKSON.
~Or that the batter who made the most outs ever would also have the most hits- does PETE ROSE ring a bell?
~ Surely the pitcher with the most all time losses would be sent back to the minors. He wouldn't be the pitcher with the most all time wins would he? Would they name the Most Valuable Pitcher the CY YOUNG award?
~You would think the basketball player who missed over 9,000 shots, lost almost 300 games, missed the game winning shot 26 times, and cut from freshman high school team would be MICHAEL JORDAN.
~Just google the "successes and failures of ABRAHAM LINCOLN" if you want to see real adversity and bouncing back from losses!
~Thomas Edison said he didn’t fail thousand, but rather found thousands of ways NOT to invent the light bulb.
Don’t let the Fear of Failure stop you from going after your dreams. Look at the list above when you feel like quitting.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 28, 2010
Mindset Monday 6/28/10- Empowering Self-Talk
Self-Talk
The great wrestling coach Wali Muhamad once said, “All great athletes talk to themselves” and he couldn’t have been more right. We may not be able to hear what people say to themselves, but their behavior gives us a good indicator. While performing, successful people speak to themselves with Self-Talk that is (1) positive (2) empowering (3) rational (4) clear and concise.
Simple changes to improve your Self-Talk:
*Change WHY questions into HOW questions. Instead of asking “WHY can’t I do this” ask instead “HOW can I do this? WHY to HOW moves you from the victim to the victor!
*Change extreme irrational words like MUST, NEED to, HAVE to, SHOULD to less stressful words like WANT to, CHOOSE to. This takes pressure off of you and reminds you that your thoughts and behavior are your choice.
*Eliminate the word CAN’T pretty much altogether. Again, change this word to HOW CAN I do this?
*While performing or competing, eliminate the word “I” and “ME.” This is taken from the Zen Buddhist philosophy of oneness. When the self is lost and all that left is the action, a person loses themselves and becomes one with the experience. This facilitates the coveted FLOW STATE aka THE ZONE aka feeling like you can’t miss.
*As soon you find yourself blaming other people, circumstances, or things outside your control say to yourself “I take responsibility for myself.”
*During competition, give yourself SHORT and PRECISE directives. Avoid long drawn out instructions.
*Be a good coach to yourself. If you were giving advice to someone who looks up to you, you wouldn’t beat them up verbally over mistakes, you would probably talk them down and say motivational things to them- DO THIS FOR YOURSELF.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
The great wrestling coach Wali Muhamad once said, “All great athletes talk to themselves” and he couldn’t have been more right. We may not be able to hear what people say to themselves, but their behavior gives us a good indicator. While performing, successful people speak to themselves with Self-Talk that is (1) positive (2) empowering (3) rational (4) clear and concise.
Simple changes to improve your Self-Talk:
*Change WHY questions into HOW questions. Instead of asking “WHY can’t I do this” ask instead “HOW can I do this? WHY to HOW moves you from the victim to the victor!
*Change extreme irrational words like MUST, NEED to, HAVE to, SHOULD to less stressful words like WANT to, CHOOSE to. This takes pressure off of you and reminds you that your thoughts and behavior are your choice.
*Eliminate the word CAN’T pretty much altogether. Again, change this word to HOW CAN I do this?
*While performing or competing, eliminate the word “I” and “ME.” This is taken from the Zen Buddhist philosophy of oneness. When the self is lost and all that left is the action, a person loses themselves and becomes one with the experience. This facilitates the coveted FLOW STATE aka THE ZONE aka feeling like you can’t miss.
*As soon you find yourself blaming other people, circumstances, or things outside your control say to yourself “I take responsibility for myself.”
*During competition, give yourself SHORT and PRECISE directives. Avoid long drawn out instructions.
*Be a good coach to yourself. If you were giving advice to someone who looks up to you, you wouldn’t beat them up verbally over mistakes, you would probably talk them down and say motivational things to them- DO THIS FOR YOURSELF.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One-on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 21, 2010
Mindset Monday 6/21/10- Developing Dominance
Developing Dominance
Before you have a Dominant performance you must first create a Dominant Self. Most people do not realize that Dominance is something you develop, not something you are born with. Developing a Dominant Self-Image is the first step to Dominating your opponent or event. The appropriate question is: How do I create a Dominant Self-Image for myself?
Answer:
(Step 1) Fire up your Unconscious mind with the help of your imagination.
Who are athletes in your sport or any other sport that are Dominant?
*watch their Dominant performances frequently- watch how they carry themselves (how they walk, talk, stand, and move) START DOING THOSE THINGS THAT THEY DO…this helps your mind and body remember what a Dominant mindset looks like.
(Step 2) Make an ongoing list of ANY time you were Dominant- in your sport GAME or PRACTICE, or anytime you can remember at anything. The goal here is to see yourself as the Dominator. Your confidence is largely related to things you focus on. Focus on time you lost- feel like a loser. Focus on times you Dominated- feel like a Dominator. ALSO- remember how you looked and felt when you Dominated- write it down and repeat your past Dominant Self-Talk and Body Language.
(Step 3) Anchor in Your Success. An Anchor or a Cue is something physical you do (ie. Leg slap, deep breath, hand clap, say an empowering word, etc. etc.) to remind you of a specific mindset. An example of how it works- after I do Step 1, I clap my hands. After I do Step 2, I clap my hands. I repeat Steps 1 and 2 three times this week before my competition this weekend. By the time the competition comes, my CUE or ANCHOR will be strengthened through practice. Before my competition I will clap my hands (my Cue) and my mind will remember that feeling of Dominance that I created.
Note- Like lifting weights, you must train your brain. You cannot expect to do curls one day and see results. You must do them multiple times a week for several weeks. Practice creating and Anchoring your Dominant Self-Image. Start today!
Be a Dominator!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One- on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Before you have a Dominant performance you must first create a Dominant Self. Most people do not realize that Dominance is something you develop, not something you are born with. Developing a Dominant Self-Image is the first step to Dominating your opponent or event. The appropriate question is: How do I create a Dominant Self-Image for myself?
Answer:
(Step 1) Fire up your Unconscious mind with the help of your imagination.
Who are athletes in your sport or any other sport that are Dominant?
*watch their Dominant performances frequently- watch how they carry themselves (how they walk, talk, stand, and move) START DOING THOSE THINGS THAT THEY DO…this helps your mind and body remember what a Dominant mindset looks like.
(Step 2) Make an ongoing list of ANY time you were Dominant- in your sport GAME or PRACTICE, or anytime you can remember at anything. The goal here is to see yourself as the Dominator. Your confidence is largely related to things you focus on. Focus on time you lost- feel like a loser. Focus on times you Dominated- feel like a Dominator. ALSO- remember how you looked and felt when you Dominated- write it down and repeat your past Dominant Self-Talk and Body Language.
(Step 3) Anchor in Your Success. An Anchor or a Cue is something physical you do (ie. Leg slap, deep breath, hand clap, say an empowering word, etc. etc.) to remind you of a specific mindset. An example of how it works- after I do Step 1, I clap my hands. After I do Step 2, I clap my hands. I repeat Steps 1 and 2 three times this week before my competition this weekend. By the time the competition comes, my CUE or ANCHOR will be strengthened through practice. Before my competition I will clap my hands (my Cue) and my mind will remember that feeling of Dominance that I created.
Note- Like lifting weights, you must train your brain. You cannot expect to do curls one day and see results. You must do them multiple times a week for several weeks. Practice creating and Anchoring your Dominant Self-Image. Start today!
Be a Dominator!
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
One- on-One Consultation and Motivational Speaking
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Visit My Blog- http://genezannetti.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Step on their Throat
When you compete you gotta be out for blood. –Team Zannetti Principle
When you’re winning you gotta step on their throat. –Jim Clarke (sales and investing guru and personality)
No Mercy. –John Kreese (Cobra Kai Sensei)
The point illustrated-
Watch as my UPenn professor kicks the crap out of a racist author:
“It is certainly embarrassing to be wrong. It is doubly embarrassing when your own facts prove you wrong. But isn’t it triply embarrassing when, rather than confess the mistake, one is incoherently pushing the disconfirming facts in support of the theory? And isn’t it quadruply embarrassing when the argument that shows the theory to be wrong is included—and with some insistence!—in the book that defends the theory? Finally, not to be uncharitable but the question must be asked: isn’t it quintuply embarrassing when all of this should be transparently obvious?”*
*taken from the theories of Gil-White (Dr. Francisco Gil-White)
This is the intellectual equivalent of how you handle your opponent on the field of play. There's a place for mercy, compassion, and empathy, but it's not in competition. If you are going to look back and regret a loss or a close score, you must kick them while they are down. You gotta be OUT FOR BLOOD!
IOWA WRESTLING ATTITUDE
When you’re winning you gotta step on their throat. –Jim Clarke (sales and investing guru and personality)
No Mercy. –John Kreese (Cobra Kai Sensei)
The point illustrated-
Watch as my UPenn professor kicks the crap out of a racist author:
“It is certainly embarrassing to be wrong. It is doubly embarrassing when your own facts prove you wrong. But isn’t it triply embarrassing when, rather than confess the mistake, one is incoherently pushing the disconfirming facts in support of the theory? And isn’t it quadruply embarrassing when the argument that shows the theory to be wrong is included—and with some insistence!—in the book that defends the theory? Finally, not to be uncharitable but the question must be asked: isn’t it quintuply embarrassing when all of this should be transparently obvious?”*
*taken from the theories of Gil-White (Dr. Francisco Gil-White)
This is the intellectual equivalent of how you handle your opponent on the field of play. There's a place for mercy, compassion, and empathy, but it's not in competition. If you are going to look back and regret a loss or a close score, you must kick them while they are down. You gotta be OUT FOR BLOOD!
IOWA WRESTLING ATTITUDE
Monday, February 22, 2010
Your Success is Your Choice
Your Success is Your Choice
Our whole system is based on 2 premises-
(1) Your success is your choice
I would assume that most people believe that they have the power to influence their own life to some extent, in either direction. That your choice is a powerful thing. And good choices raise the probability of good outcomes, and vice versa with bad decision.
(2) Your choices are made in your mind.
Your body is a very powerful tool, but it is incapable of higher functioning without the mind. Therefore, your choices are made in your mind.
If you accept these two premises then you must accept the conclusion-
Your mind determines your success (or failure)
Does everyone see the connection?
This is deductive reasoning- it is infallible logic.
Put another way for those of you who like Visuals
You----------------------------------------Success
Your Mind
Your Mind is the Bridge to Your Success.
The job of Mental Mastery as you would probably guess, is to help you master your mind. I’m here to turn you into a mastermind.
Remember the key to any self-help system is not someone helping you, but rather about educating you on the tools you can utilize to help yourself.
One of the first lessons I can teach you is to Consider the Source. When making a decision about the accuracy of a claim, it is a good first step to determine if the person making the claim is reputable.
My wrestling coach, the great Donn Ernst always told me that if you are going to learn something, learn from the BEST IN THE WORLD.
So rather than tell you about how important the mind is to your success, I will turn this topic over to the Best athletes and coaches in sports history and see for yourself how their mentality factored into their success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“The Secret is to make your mind work for you, not against you.”
(Arnold’s approach to bodybuilding was more mental than physical)
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_60/69_fitness_tip.html
Michael Jordan
Michael's biggest strength was his mental game. Jordan held a decisive mental edge over his opponents throughout his entire career. It was his mental toughness... Jeff Janssen, M.S.
http://www.teamarete.com/ificouldbe.html
Wayne Gretzky
…he (Gretzky) was not very strong physically, but he made up for that in the mental edge he held over opponents.
http://www.lycos.com/info/wayne-gretzky-hockey.html
Tiger Woods
Tiger's biggest club is his mental strength –USA Today
His mental game is every bit as good as his physical game. –Bob May
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2004-02-10-tiger-toughest_x.htm
there’s another quality even more important than skill. It’s his mind, and that very well could be his greatest weapon.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/09/sports/sp-mindgame9
Michael Phelps
His strongest asset is relaxing & focusing in competition. He can take himself mentally to a place. That’s what separates him from his competitors. –Coach Bowman
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bowman-on-phelps-mental-strength/3003143297
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a master of psychology…his mental toughness played a great factor in many of his fights. There was no one stronger mentally then Muhammad Ali.
http://greatestofalltime.homestead.com/muhammadali.html
Dan Gable
“Mental Toughness is the key of all keys…Mental Toughness is the foundation.”
http://www.briancain.com/articlesbybriancain/Dan%20Gable%20-%20Brian%20Cain%20CBN.pdf
Coach John Wooden
“I am constantly trying to make players realize the mental side.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
“Mental Toughness is essential for success.”
He was always working on both the minds and bodies of his players. The guy was a beautiful psychologist. – Jerry Kramer (former player)
Coach Bobby Knight
“Mental toughness to physical (toughness) is as 4 is to 1.”
Its very clear how the best in the world feel about the importance of their mentality to their success.
And sports here is just a metaphor for life. The success principles are the same in sports, business, sales, school, etc. The specifics may be different but the principles are the same.
YOUR MIND IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS.
So knowing how important your mindset is to your success…how much time do you spend preparing your mind?
You train your body, but most don’t train their brain. That is a serious mistake.
Most people are not aware of the science behind success. Sport-Performance Psychology and Positive Psychology are fields dedicated to Performance Enhancement, Success, and Happiness. Mental Mastery is Sport-Performance Psychology and Positive Psychology made easy for you, in a simple understandable form.
But Mental Mastery is more than just achieving your goals, though that is a major part of it, but also increasing your happiness and overall well-being.
What good is it if a person gains the whole world, but loses their soul? This is not to be take only in the biblical sense, but in the practical sense as well.
What good is it if you accomplish all your goals, but you are not happy?
Because the two do not always go together – success and happiness. Why are so many movie stars, rock stars, and pro athletes depressed or addicted to substances?
We want you to be both very successful and very happy.
At mental mastery, we teach you how to have your cake and eat it too.
That being said, lets get started.
I want you to get excited about life. I want you to wake up in the morning and say, I cant wait to get started today!
We are in probably the greatest time period in the history of the world.
Luxury Age- the average person in the lower middle class has far more luxuries than most of the richest people in the world of previous centuries- basic things we take for granted like efficient lighting, heat and air, equipment, clothing, etc.
Technology/ Information Age- We have more information available at the click of a mouse or a few punches into our phone than anyone had available to them 30 years ago thanks to the internet and its interactive websites like google, Wikipedia, facebook, youtube, etc.
Freedom Age- Democracy is a freedom Americans take for granted because weve had it for over 200 years. But just imagine if you lived in a communist country that told you what to do and how to do it all the time. You would wish you had the opportunity that falls in front of you this very moment. Freedom is something we take for granted until its gone. We take play for granted as a child until were punished. We take walking for granted until we break our leg. We take our daily living for granted until were wrongly accused for murder and sent to jail like Ruben the hurricane Carter (ok, maybe a little extreme, but you get the point), and sadly we often take life for granted until someone close to us dies or until were given 6 months.
But, why wait until something drastic happens to live like you were dying? Why not start today?
As the great Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz says, you need to ask yourself- If not me, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?
With all these advantages, success is well within your reach RIGHT NOW.
The first step is to success is to take control of your mind. Once you do this you will be well on your way to living your dreams and enjoying your life.
Welcome to what very well could be the most important journey of your life
Our whole system is based on 2 premises-
(1) Your success is your choice
I would assume that most people believe that they have the power to influence their own life to some extent, in either direction. That your choice is a powerful thing. And good choices raise the probability of good outcomes, and vice versa with bad decision.
(2) Your choices are made in your mind.
Your body is a very powerful tool, but it is incapable of higher functioning without the mind. Therefore, your choices are made in your mind.
If you accept these two premises then you must accept the conclusion-
Your mind determines your success (or failure)
Does everyone see the connection?
This is deductive reasoning- it is infallible logic.
Put another way for those of you who like Visuals
You----------------------------------------Success
Your Mind
Your Mind is the Bridge to Your Success.
The job of Mental Mastery as you would probably guess, is to help you master your mind. I’m here to turn you into a mastermind.
Remember the key to any self-help system is not someone helping you, but rather about educating you on the tools you can utilize to help yourself.
One of the first lessons I can teach you is to Consider the Source. When making a decision about the accuracy of a claim, it is a good first step to determine if the person making the claim is reputable.
My wrestling coach, the great Donn Ernst always told me that if you are going to learn something, learn from the BEST IN THE WORLD.
So rather than tell you about how important the mind is to your success, I will turn this topic over to the Best athletes and coaches in sports history and see for yourself how their mentality factored into their success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“The Secret is to make your mind work for you, not against you.”
(Arnold’s approach to bodybuilding was more mental than physical)
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_60/69_fitness_tip.html
Michael Jordan
Michael's biggest strength was his mental game. Jordan held a decisive mental edge over his opponents throughout his entire career. It was his mental toughness... Jeff Janssen, M.S.
http://www.teamarete.com/ificouldbe.html
Wayne Gretzky
…he (Gretzky) was not very strong physically, but he made up for that in the mental edge he held over opponents.
http://www.lycos.com/info/wayne-gretzky-hockey.html
Tiger Woods
Tiger's biggest club is his mental strength –USA Today
His mental game is every bit as good as his physical game. –Bob May
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2004-02-10-tiger-toughest_x.htm
there’s another quality even more important than skill. It’s his mind, and that very well could be his greatest weapon.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/09/sports/sp-mindgame9
Michael Phelps
His strongest asset is relaxing & focusing in competition. He can take himself mentally to a place. That’s what separates him from his competitors. –Coach Bowman
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bowman-on-phelps-mental-strength/3003143297
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a master of psychology…his mental toughness played a great factor in many of his fights. There was no one stronger mentally then Muhammad Ali.
http://greatestofalltime.homestead.com/muhammadali.html
Dan Gable
“Mental Toughness is the key of all keys…Mental Toughness is the foundation.”
http://www.briancain.com/articlesbybriancain/Dan%20Gable%20-%20Brian%20Cain%20CBN.pdf
Coach John Wooden
“I am constantly trying to make players realize the mental side.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
“Mental Toughness is essential for success.”
He was always working on both the minds and bodies of his players. The guy was a beautiful psychologist. – Jerry Kramer (former player)
Coach Bobby Knight
“Mental toughness to physical (toughness) is as 4 is to 1.”
Its very clear how the best in the world feel about the importance of their mentality to their success.
And sports here is just a metaphor for life. The success principles are the same in sports, business, sales, school, etc. The specifics may be different but the principles are the same.
YOUR MIND IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS.
So knowing how important your mindset is to your success…how much time do you spend preparing your mind?
You train your body, but most don’t train their brain. That is a serious mistake.
Most people are not aware of the science behind success. Sport-Performance Psychology and Positive Psychology are fields dedicated to Performance Enhancement, Success, and Happiness. Mental Mastery is Sport-Performance Psychology and Positive Psychology made easy for you, in a simple understandable form.
But Mental Mastery is more than just achieving your goals, though that is a major part of it, but also increasing your happiness and overall well-being.
What good is it if a person gains the whole world, but loses their soul? This is not to be take only in the biblical sense, but in the practical sense as well.
What good is it if you accomplish all your goals, but you are not happy?
Because the two do not always go together – success and happiness. Why are so many movie stars, rock stars, and pro athletes depressed or addicted to substances?
We want you to be both very successful and very happy.
At mental mastery, we teach you how to have your cake and eat it too.
That being said, lets get started.
I want you to get excited about life. I want you to wake up in the morning and say, I cant wait to get started today!
We are in probably the greatest time period in the history of the world.
Luxury Age- the average person in the lower middle class has far more luxuries than most of the richest people in the world of previous centuries- basic things we take for granted like efficient lighting, heat and air, equipment, clothing, etc.
Technology/ Information Age- We have more information available at the click of a mouse or a few punches into our phone than anyone had available to them 30 years ago thanks to the internet and its interactive websites like google, Wikipedia, facebook, youtube, etc.
Freedom Age- Democracy is a freedom Americans take for granted because weve had it for over 200 years. But just imagine if you lived in a communist country that told you what to do and how to do it all the time. You would wish you had the opportunity that falls in front of you this very moment. Freedom is something we take for granted until its gone. We take play for granted as a child until were punished. We take walking for granted until we break our leg. We take our daily living for granted until were wrongly accused for murder and sent to jail like Ruben the hurricane Carter (ok, maybe a little extreme, but you get the point), and sadly we often take life for granted until someone close to us dies or until were given 6 months.
But, why wait until something drastic happens to live like you were dying? Why not start today?
As the great Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz says, you need to ask yourself- If not me, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?
With all these advantages, success is well within your reach RIGHT NOW.
The first step is to success is to take control of your mind. Once you do this you will be well on your way to living your dreams and enjoying your life.
Welcome to what very well could be the most important journey of your life
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