Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
NEW POSTS
ALL NEW MINDSET MASTERY/SPORT PSYCHOLOGY MESSAGES WILL NOW BE LOCATED AT:
Z-FANATICAL FITNESS
"FITNESS IS NEVER JUST PHYSICAL."
Z-FANATICAL FITNESS
"FITNESS IS NEVER JUST PHYSICAL."
Monday, September 5, 2011
Mindset Monday 9/5/11- Action Beats Inaction
When in doubt, err on the side of taking action.
Sometimes you are forced to make a difficult decision. You have information supporting you, "going for it." And you have conflicting information supporting, "not doing anything."
At this moment, 9 out of 10 times I would recommend going for it. You have a greater chance of success and you will feel more alive.
Lets say things go wrong and you pick the wrong decision. In 10 years from now, in which way would you prefer to be wrong, if you had to pick- (1) I shouldn't have gone so hard or (2) I should have gone harder?
Most great competitors err on the side of gutsy. Take action. Action beats inaction.
We become tentative because we can easily recall past disappointments of ourselves and others due to carelessness. We got yelled at and reprimanded and maybe made fun of, which really hurt us. So we sometimes learn to play it safe. Stay comfortable. Don't take chances.
We forget the times we failed because we did not go hard enough because it is easy to justify to ourselves, "well, I wasn't really trying so it's ok I failed."
This is a major error in our thinking. Be smart. Be INTELLIGENTLY AGGRESSIVE. But for heavens sake, BE AGGRESSIVE. Get in there. GO after it.
It is better the other person beats you or rejects you than you beat or reject yourself. Don't hold back because you have a convenient excuse to fail- your lack of effort. Reverse this thinking. Be proud of the times you put it on the line. Even if you failed. More often than not, action beats inaction. Get down on yourself when you hold back when you could've taken action. Even if you succeed. Show your guts and put it on the line.
Gene Zannetti
Z Fanatical Fitness- Mindset Mastery
Make an appointment to speak with Gene Zannetti- 888-804-1819
genez@zfanatical.com
Sometimes you are forced to make a difficult decision. You have information supporting you, "going for it." And you have conflicting information supporting, "not doing anything."
At this moment, 9 out of 10 times I would recommend going for it. You have a greater chance of success and you will feel more alive.
Lets say things go wrong and you pick the wrong decision. In 10 years from now, in which way would you prefer to be wrong, if you had to pick- (1) I shouldn't have gone so hard or (2) I should have gone harder?
Most great competitors err on the side of gutsy. Take action. Action beats inaction.
We become tentative because we can easily recall past disappointments of ourselves and others due to carelessness. We got yelled at and reprimanded and maybe made fun of, which really hurt us. So we sometimes learn to play it safe. Stay comfortable. Don't take chances.
We forget the times we failed because we did not go hard enough because it is easy to justify to ourselves, "well, I wasn't really trying so it's ok I failed."
This is a major error in our thinking. Be smart. Be INTELLIGENTLY AGGRESSIVE. But for heavens sake, BE AGGRESSIVE. Get in there. GO after it.
It is better the other person beats you or rejects you than you beat or reject yourself. Don't hold back because you have a convenient excuse to fail- your lack of effort. Reverse this thinking. Be proud of the times you put it on the line. Even if you failed. More often than not, action beats inaction. Get down on yourself when you hold back when you could've taken action. Even if you succeed. Show your guts and put it on the line.
Gene Zannetti
Z Fanatical Fitness- Mindset Mastery
Make an appointment to speak with Gene Zannetti- 888-804-1819
genez@zfanatical.com
Monday, August 29, 2011
Mindset Monday 8/29/11- How to Bounce Back from a Loss
You are a human, you make mistakes. There is a simple but effective way to deal with ALL loses, errors, mistakes, etc:
extract the lesson, commit the lesson to memory, forgive yourself, and move forward with confidence.
It is important that you do not repeat your mistakes, so you should note your shortcomings and downfalls. It is counterproductive to live in denial and suppression is almost never long term efficient. Recognize your flaw first and commit it to memory.
But after you recognize your mistake and commit it to memory you must, must, must forgive yourself. Successful people forgive themselves. Unsuccessful people do not.
Now I must draw a distinction here. Many successful people send the seemingly contradictory message- "never accept failure" or something similar to that.
It is important to note that these people are probably referring to not denying reality as we spoke about above. They are also telling you never to quit and to always keep moving forward and striving to get better.
To be successful, you must put mistakes behind you so you can proceed forward toward your goals. You cannot preoccupy yourself with "the last time you tried." Many athletes and teams have made this mistake of letting another team or individual, "beat them again."
Don't let someone beat you twice. Don't let a mistake cause another mistake. Recover. Forgive yourself and move forward confidently.
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Do not let a mistake or loss end your effort. Do not let it hurt your confidence. Easier said than done, sure. But this is what you need to learn how to do.
Remember, successful people make more mistakes than unsuccessful people. Successful people go for it a lot. Unsuccessful people hide behind fear, excuses and past war stories.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
genezannetti.blogspot.com
extract the lesson, commit the lesson to memory, forgive yourself, and move forward with confidence.
It is important that you do not repeat your mistakes, so you should note your shortcomings and downfalls. It is counterproductive to live in denial and suppression is almost never long term efficient. Recognize your flaw first and commit it to memory.
But after you recognize your mistake and commit it to memory you must, must, must forgive yourself. Successful people forgive themselves. Unsuccessful people do not.
Now I must draw a distinction here. Many successful people send the seemingly contradictory message- "never accept failure" or something similar to that.
It is important to note that these people are probably referring to not denying reality as we spoke about above. They are also telling you never to quit and to always keep moving forward and striving to get better.
To be successful, you must put mistakes behind you so you can proceed forward toward your goals. You cannot preoccupy yourself with "the last time you tried." Many athletes and teams have made this mistake of letting another team or individual, "beat them again."
Don't let someone beat you twice. Don't let a mistake cause another mistake. Recover. Forgive yourself and move forward confidently.
javascript:void(0)
Do not let a mistake or loss end your effort. Do not let it hurt your confidence. Easier said than done, sure. But this is what you need to learn how to do.
Remember, successful people make more mistakes than unsuccessful people. Successful people go for it a lot. Unsuccessful people hide behind fear, excuses and past war stories.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, August 8, 2011
Mindset Monday 8/8/11- Ditch Your Excuses Now
MY high school wrestling coach, the great Steve Giordano (NJ State Champ & college All-American) would always tell us, “never give yourself an excuse to lose.” You do not want anything holding you back when you compete.
If you choose to compete, If you choose to do anything, you must eliminate all excuses.
In Sport Psychology, they call this “Self-handicapping.” When we know failure is a possibility, we will tell ourselves and others excuses or reasons why we are not at our best- we’re hurt, tired, went out last night, haven’t practiced often enough, etc. etc. We try to justify to ourselves and others that if the conditions were different, we would succeed. In essence, we blame the potential loss, on circumstances, not ourselves. We do this so if we do lose, we feel better about ourselves and so others do not look down on us.
In the great movie Peaceful Warrior, we hear- courage is not about protection, or victory, or invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability- that’s the only true courage.
Superman cannot be considered brave. This is because he is invulnerable. You can be considered brave, because you are vulnerable. Let this sink in. Your humanity, your imperfections, your mistakes, your infallibility, is what makes you brave. Because unlike superman, you can look at the possibility of failure, and proceed anyway.
Here is the key. Do not celebrate your vulnerability to yourself or others. Just move toward your goals. If you give yourself an excuse to lose, to yourself or others, you will always have the excuse in the back of your mind, and when the g
oing gets tough, you may use it as an excuse to not give your full effort.
You want to give your full effort at all times. Since after all, giving your full effort will maximize your chances of success. If you lose, you lose. If you make a mistake, you make a mistake. You are human, just like anyone else. Nothing you or anyone can do can make you or anyone else subhuman, or superhuman. Remember this. You do not need to make excuses for yourself. You will not always be at your best. Give a full effort anyway. Ditch your excuses, and move toward your goals, period.
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 choose to compete, If you choose to do anything, you must eliminate all excuses.
In Sport Psychology, they call this “Self-handicapping.” When we know failure is a possibility, we will tell ourselves and others excuses or reasons why we are not at our best- we’re hurt, tired, went out last night, haven’t practiced often enough, etc. etc. We try to justify to ourselves and others that if the conditions were different, we would succeed. In essence, we blame the potential loss, on circumstances, not ourselves. We do this so if we do lose, we feel better about ourselves and so others do not look down on us.
In the great movie Peaceful Warrior, we hear- courage is not about protection, or victory, or invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability- that’s the only true courage.
Superman cannot be considered brave. This is because he is invulnerable. You can be considered brave, because you are vulnerable. Let this sink in. Your humanity, your imperfections, your mistakes, your infallibility, is what makes you brave. Because unlike superman, you can look at the possibility of failure, and proceed anyway.
Here is the key. Do not celebrate your vulnerability to yourself or others. Just move toward your goals. If you give yourself an excuse to lose, to yourself or others, you will always have the excuse in the back of your mind, and when the g
oing gets tough, you may use it as an excuse to not give your full effort.
You want to give your full effort at all times. Since after all, giving your full effort will maximize your chances of success. If you lose, you lose. If you make a mistake, you make a mistake. You are human, just like anyone else. Nothing you or anyone can do can make you or anyone else subhuman, or superhuman. Remember this. You do not need to make excuses for yourself. You will not always be at your best. Give a full effort anyway. Ditch your excuses, and move toward your goals, period.
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 1, 2011
Mindset Monday 8/1/11- The Surest Way to Be Successful...
The surest way to become successful is to become Fanatical.
If you want to learn anything or become successful at anything, you must engage in more than practice, you must engage in IMMERSION. You must become immersed in what you want to succeed in. You must give your life to your goal. you need to make it your life. Immersion comes from a Fanatical attitude. This will not be easy, but it will work.
If you look at the best people in different fields, you will usually find someone who is obsessed with the subject, topic, or sport. If you make the decision to become Fanatical in your approach, you may not become the best in the world, but YOU WILL BECOME SUCCESSFUL. Decide now that you will make a lifestyle of your goal. Commit to working harder than anyone else. Commit to working longer hours than anyone else.
Being Fanatical is a real dedication to make your goal your life. You make all your decisions based on if it will get you closer or further away from this goal.
You will have to give up many things along the way. You may miss out on a lot of fun times. But, if you have a goal that you feel that you absolutely must achieve, you need to become Fanatical.
Give 100%, become obsessed, immerse yourself, and you will certainly get more out of yourself than you otherwise would have. Going Fanatical works. Ive never seen Fanatical fail.
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 want to learn anything or become successful at anything, you must engage in more than practice, you must engage in IMMERSION. You must become immersed in what you want to succeed in. You must give your life to your goal. you need to make it your life. Immersion comes from a Fanatical attitude. This will not be easy, but it will work.
If you look at the best people in different fields, you will usually find someone who is obsessed with the subject, topic, or sport. If you make the decision to become Fanatical in your approach, you may not become the best in the world, but YOU WILL BECOME SUCCESSFUL. Decide now that you will make a lifestyle of your goal. Commit to working harder than anyone else. Commit to working longer hours than anyone else.
Being Fanatical is a real dedication to make your goal your life. You make all your decisions based on if it will get you closer or further away from this goal.
You will have to give up many things along the way. You may miss out on a lot of fun times. But, if you have a goal that you feel that you absolutely must achieve, you need to become Fanatical.
Give 100%, become obsessed, immerse yourself, and you will certainly get more out of yourself than you otherwise would have. Going Fanatical works. Ive never seen Fanatical fail.
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 18, 2011
MIndset Monday 7/18/11- World Cup Lesson
My soccer experience is limited to my recreation play from Kindergarten to 2nd grade. I did not watch the women’s World Cup until overtime. Shame on me! There is a lesson to be learned in the closing minutes of the game.
I do know a thing or two about performance success and body language.
In the last few minutes of the game and the penalty kicks, I noticed a drastic difference between the body language of the American and Japanese goalies. I wonder if you caught it too.
I saw the American goalie get hurt, so we cannot hold this against her. Still, her body language was not the same as the Japanese goalie. I know, I know momentum was shifting toward Japan with a late goal, but there is still a lesson to be learned.
Before the penalty kicks I saw one goalie running around giving her teammates high fives. She was energetic and enthusiastic. I saw the other goalie sitting on the ground, almost sprawled out before the biggest penalty kick of her life. (Note- I take nothing away from this tremendous athlete who is certainly one of the best in the world at what she does, but remember, everyone makes mistakes, everyone is human).
Again, I know that an injury may have been present and when both goalies took the net, they each looked focused. But moments just prior to competition are crucial to your success.
Even if you are feeling down, you must act as if you were up. The difference between success and failure at a high level is so small that you need every little advantage you can get.
You cannot afford to be down, so you must practice being mentally up. You must practice acting as if you were up so you can call upon this mindset when it matters most.
You must train your brain similarly to the way you train your body. You must include adversity training in your repertoire of practice in sport and life. Practice acting awake when you are tired. Practice acting motivated when you are dragging or feeling lazy. You may be surprised to find that when you act a certain way, you begin to feel that way. We have studies that back this up.
Look alive! Feel great! Go for the gold. Both teams were champions yesterday. And both goalies are people to aspire to be like. Just make sure you learn the lesson here.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
Genezannetti.blogspot.com
I do know a thing or two about performance success and body language.
In the last few minutes of the game and the penalty kicks, I noticed a drastic difference between the body language of the American and Japanese goalies. I wonder if you caught it too.
I saw the American goalie get hurt, so we cannot hold this against her. Still, her body language was not the same as the Japanese goalie. I know, I know momentum was shifting toward Japan with a late goal, but there is still a lesson to be learned.
Before the penalty kicks I saw one goalie running around giving her teammates high fives. She was energetic and enthusiastic. I saw the other goalie sitting on the ground, almost sprawled out before the biggest penalty kick of her life. (Note- I take nothing away from this tremendous athlete who is certainly one of the best in the world at what she does, but remember, everyone makes mistakes, everyone is human).
Again, I know that an injury may have been present and when both goalies took the net, they each looked focused. But moments just prior to competition are crucial to your success.
Even if you are feeling down, you must act as if you were up. The difference between success and failure at a high level is so small that you need every little advantage you can get.
You cannot afford to be down, so you must practice being mentally up. You must practice acting as if you were up so you can call upon this mindset when it matters most.
You must train your brain similarly to the way you train your body. You must include adversity training in your repertoire of practice in sport and life. Practice acting awake when you are tired. Practice acting motivated when you are dragging or feeling lazy. You may be surprised to find that when you act a certain way, you begin to feel that way. We have studies that back this up.
Look alive! Feel great! Go for the gold. Both teams were champions yesterday. And both goalies are people to aspire to be like. Just make sure you learn the lesson here.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
Genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, July 4, 2011
Mindset Monday 7/4/11- Success Algebra
Success Algebra
F = MA
E= MC^2
K – A = 0
Wait, what was that last one? K – A = 0. Knowledge minus Action equals Zero. In other words, if you know what to do, but do not do what you know, nothing happens.
Most people know what to do to achieve success. The secrets are simple, but they are not easy. Most of us know what to do, but for one reason or another, we just do not do it.
But, knowledge is not the same thing as wisdom. Wisdom is DOING IT. I know a lot of very “knowledgeable” who cannot seem to get the job done themselves. Maybe you are one of them. Maybe I am one of them in some areas. We must strive for wisdom. Practicing what we preach. This is an ongoing every day battle. This is not a level you ever arrive at, but rather something you choose to do on a regular basis, and them something you choose to do again tomorrow, and then the next day, and the next one, and…you get the point.
Often times we hear good advice and we respond (or say to ourselves) “I already know that.” But the real question we should be asking ourselves is, “How well do I apply this information?” Usually, the answer to this question will be- not as well as I could.
Use my lessons on pleasure and pain in the previous weeks blogs and get to the bottom of this inside yourself. Mastering your mindset is the way you will finally Jump Levels. But, then again, you already knew that.
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/
F = MA
E= MC^2
K – A = 0
Wait, what was that last one? K – A = 0. Knowledge minus Action equals Zero. In other words, if you know what to do, but do not do what you know, nothing happens.
Most people know what to do to achieve success. The secrets are simple, but they are not easy. Most of us know what to do, but for one reason or another, we just do not do it.
But, knowledge is not the same thing as wisdom. Wisdom is DOING IT. I know a lot of very “knowledgeable” who cannot seem to get the job done themselves. Maybe you are one of them. Maybe I am one of them in some areas. We must strive for wisdom. Practicing what we preach. This is an ongoing every day battle. This is not a level you ever arrive at, but rather something you choose to do on a regular basis, and them something you choose to do again tomorrow, and then the next day, and the next one, and…you get the point.
Often times we hear good advice and we respond (or say to ourselves) “I already know that.” But the real question we should be asking ourselves is, “How well do I apply this information?” Usually, the answer to this question will be- not as well as I could.
Use my lessons on pleasure and pain in the previous weeks blogs and get to the bottom of this inside yourself. Mastering your mindset is the way you will finally Jump Levels. But, then again, you already knew that.
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 27, 2011
Mindset Monday 6/27/11- Overcome Laziness
Why are people lazy?
Again, we must go back to motivation. The root word in motivation is motive. To understand any behavior or attitude, you must first consider the two basic human motives.
When you boil it all down the two human motives are (1) Avoid Pain (2) Gain Pleasure. Your mind links pleasure and/or pain to all life events- persons, places, and things (due to past experience and information from others).
The trick is to discover the links in your mind through honest self-contemplation. If you are honest with yourself and take a little time to think, you will be surprised the positive results and the relatively little time it took for you to discover this information.
You must destroy all unproductive links in your mind and develop new and empowering links. Use pain and pleasure to your advantage.
If a person is lazy, then they do not have pleasure and pain working for them in this area of their life.
Think a little bit harder about why you may be lazy in a given area of your life. What is pleasurable about the activity that you are putting off. (make a list) What is painful about the event you are putting off (another list).
I would wager that the pain exceeds the pleasure at this point in your life.
You must reverse this process. Change begins in your mind. If you transform your mind, you can transform your body.
Start with your mind. Use pain and pleasure to your advantage. This is the root to changing your laziness.
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/
Again, we must go back to motivation. The root word in motivation is motive. To understand any behavior or attitude, you must first consider the two basic human motives.
When you boil it all down the two human motives are (1) Avoid Pain (2) Gain Pleasure. Your mind links pleasure and/or pain to all life events- persons, places, and things (due to past experience and information from others).
The trick is to discover the links in your mind through honest self-contemplation. If you are honest with yourself and take a little time to think, you will be surprised the positive results and the relatively little time it took for you to discover this information.
You must destroy all unproductive links in your mind and develop new and empowering links. Use pain and pleasure to your advantage.
If a person is lazy, then they do not have pleasure and pain working for them in this area of their life.
Think a little bit harder about why you may be lazy in a given area of your life. What is pleasurable about the activity that you are putting off. (make a list) What is painful about the event you are putting off (another list).
I would wager that the pain exceeds the pleasure at this point in your life.
You must reverse this process. Change begins in your mind. If you transform your mind, you can transform your body.
Start with your mind. Use pain and pleasure to your advantage. This is the root to changing your laziness.
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 6, 2011
Mindset Mastery 6/6/11- Perfection
Perfection is the enemy of good. When you were young, the adults taught you how to detect and delete mistakes. This makes sense. I order to achieve at a high level, mistakes must be reduced. The key thing to remember is that mistakes are never eliminated.
We have all heard that practice makes perfect. Then as we got older, we heard, perfect practice makes perfect. But the truth is, perfection is non-existent, so the best we can shoot for is mastery. The analysis of error and intense practice of new behavior makes for mastery. But yeah, practice makes perfect sounds a lot easier for you to remember and say in front of your friends.
It is easy to agree with the statement, no one is perfect. We all have an understanding of our all too fallible human nature. But when we make a mistake, we tend to heap coals of fire on ourselves.
We forget that making mistakes is part of the learning process. People who are not making mistakes, are usually not making very much of anything. We should strive to eliminate mistakes, but we should not assume that we will stop making them.
It is usually the start that stops most people. People tend to procrastinate indefinitely until, “the time is right.” Successful people know that the time is never right, but time is always RIGHT NOW.
If you love to write, don’t begin once you have written the great American novel. Begin right now. Your odds of writing the great American novel go up exponentially once you finally start writing on a consistent basis.
Get it started, then get it just right. If you wait until all lights are green and until all mistakes, shortcomings, and obstacles are non-existent, you will miss the boat.
Get started today.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
We have all heard that practice makes perfect. Then as we got older, we heard, perfect practice makes perfect. But the truth is, perfection is non-existent, so the best we can shoot for is mastery. The analysis of error and intense practice of new behavior makes for mastery. But yeah, practice makes perfect sounds a lot easier for you to remember and say in front of your friends.
It is easy to agree with the statement, no one is perfect. We all have an understanding of our all too fallible human nature. But when we make a mistake, we tend to heap coals of fire on ourselves.
We forget that making mistakes is part of the learning process. People who are not making mistakes, are usually not making very much of anything. We should strive to eliminate mistakes, but we should not assume that we will stop making them.
It is usually the start that stops most people. People tend to procrastinate indefinitely until, “the time is right.” Successful people know that the time is never right, but time is always RIGHT NOW.
If you love to write, don’t begin once you have written the great American novel. Begin right now. Your odds of writing the great American novel go up exponentially once you finally start writing on a consistent basis.
Get it started, then get it just right. If you wait until all lights are green and until all mistakes, shortcomings, and obstacles are non-existent, you will miss the boat.
Get started today.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
Monday, May 30, 2011
Mindset Monday 5/30/11- Why All Diets & Workout Programs Fail
Exercise programs, routines, and diets all fail for the same reason. They are too one dimensional. They focus on things you need to physically do. This is easy to understand, in theory, because it sounds so simple- do this, get that.
True change occurs in a different manner. If you transform your mind, you can transform your body, or anything else you would like. Consistency creates change. Lifestyle changes lives.
A diet, routine, or program implies that you will be doing some thing for a little while. You go off and on. A lifestyle implies something quite differently-consistency. Consistency is what makes a program or diet successful. A program or diet alone is nothing.
To succeed, you must focus on the person you want to BE, not the things you want to have. Exercising is not a verb, but a way of life. The same thing goes for healthy eating.
In goal setting sessions, I teach people the word BEHAVE. BE always comes before HAVE. Most people make the fatal mistake on focusing on what they want to have. Focusing on the things you have to DO is a little bit better, because your focus in now on actions instead of outcomes. But the best result comes from the focusing on focusing on the person you want to BE.
To succeed in anything you must BE the person who is consistent, intense, and intelligent. Work on seeing yourself as this person.
Create a list of the way you would like to be. Read this list daily until you have it memorized. Then switch to reviewing the list several times a week. Remember, you need mental reps for success. Train your brain.
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/
True change occurs in a different manner. If you transform your mind, you can transform your body, or anything else you would like. Consistency creates change. Lifestyle changes lives.
A diet, routine, or program implies that you will be doing some thing for a little while. You go off and on. A lifestyle implies something quite differently-consistency. Consistency is what makes a program or diet successful. A program or diet alone is nothing.
To succeed, you must focus on the person you want to BE, not the things you want to have. Exercising is not a verb, but a way of life. The same thing goes for healthy eating.
In goal setting sessions, I teach people the word BEHAVE. BE always comes before HAVE. Most people make the fatal mistake on focusing on what they want to have. Focusing on the things you have to DO is a little bit better, because your focus in now on actions instead of outcomes. But the best result comes from the focusing on focusing on the person you want to BE.
To succeed in anything you must BE the person who is consistent, intense, and intelligent. Work on seeing yourself as this person.
Create a list of the way you would like to be. Read this list daily until you have it memorized. Then switch to reviewing the list several times a week. Remember, you need mental reps for success. Train your brain.
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, May 23, 2011
Mindset Monday 5/23/11- Jump Levels
My college wrestling coach at the University of Pennsylvania was a world champion. He had an insight on success. He won the silver medal and was voted the most technical wrestler in the world. The one thing I remember him telling us, as we struggled endlessly in practice, was, "we need to jump levels." You jump levels by elevating your intensity and improving your mindset.
You are at some level right now. So is everyone else. The reason people buy gym memberships is because they are trying to get to the next level. This is a bold statement now: Very few people are truly satisfied staying exactly as they are right now. Deep down we all feel like we can have more, achieve more.
We become annoyed when we hit a plateau. We want to jump levels. Being human is jumping levels. So the question is: How do you jump levels? As I said before, elevate your intensity and MASTER YOUR MINDSET.
If you can make your mind work for you and not against you, you will release the emergency brake and fire on all cylinders. You will get more out of yourself when you are in full throttle.
You will not jump levels if your mind and body are working against each other. It is like two horses pulling a cart in different directions. It just wont move, or it will barely move at best. Master your mind and have both horses, mind and body, pull your cart toward your goals.
The mind is my specialty and I will help you master it. You will learn exactly how to jump levels. Stay with me...
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
908-337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
You are at some level right now. So is everyone else. The reason people buy gym memberships is because they are trying to get to the next level. This is a bold statement now: Very few people are truly satisfied staying exactly as they are right now. Deep down we all feel like we can have more, achieve more.
We become annoyed when we hit a plateau. We want to jump levels. Being human is jumping levels. So the question is: How do you jump levels? As I said before, elevate your intensity and MASTER YOUR MINDSET.
If you can make your mind work for you and not against you, you will release the emergency brake and fire on all cylinders. You will get more out of yourself when you are in full throttle.
You will not jump levels if your mind and body are working against each other. It is like two horses pulling a cart in different directions. It just wont move, or it will barely move at best. Master your mind and have both horses, mind and body, pull your cart toward your goals.
The mind is my specialty and I will help you master it. You will learn exactly how to jump levels. Stay with me...
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
908-337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Mindset Monday 4/25/11- Mental Reps for Success
Mental Reps for Success
David DeNotaris, a well renowned motivational speaker, always spoke of the importance of positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are short utterances we repeat to ourselves on a regular basis. They are like mental reps to build mental muscle. Some of his favorites were:
“I’m alert, I’m alive, I feel great!”
“I’m happy, I’m healthy, I feel terrific!”
“I’m getting better and better every day in every way!”
“I like myself, I like myself, I like myself, I like myself!”
It sounds ridiculously hilarious (or maybe hilariously ridiculous) at first, but the truth is that positive affirmations are a great way to train your brain.
You may never in your life use the above positive affirmations. The secret is to come up with positive affirmations that are suitable to YOU and YOUR particular goals.
The best example is Muhammad Ali- does the phrase, “I am the greatest” ring a bell?
Advertisements, movies, and songs implant ideas into your head all the time. Think about it…
“Frosted Flakes- theyre grrrrreat”
“Pokemon- gotta catch em all”
“Run Forest Run”
The more times you implant a phrase into your head, the more your unconscious mind will accept it as fact. Have you ever heard someone say, “He believes his own BS?” Are there any childhood stories that you tell where you deep down thin, “did this even happen?” When you tell a story over and over, you start to believe it is true. This is the same thing that happens with positive affirmations.
If you want to build confidence, tell yourself- “On a good day no one can beat me, on a bad day no one can beat me.”
If you want to stop worrying about other people’s judgments, tell yourself- “I compete for myself, I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me.”
Whatever thought you would like to have more regularly, write a quick sentence that you can personally relate to, then repeat it all the time.
As any weightlifter will tell you, you cannot begin training the day before a competition. You cannot expect to do bicep curls once and have arms like Arnold. Likewise, do not expect to repeat an affirmation to yourself once and feel any result. You must literally train your brain. You must not just repeat your affirmations to yourself, you must hammer them into your head. Beat the saying into your mind (figuratively, of course). Make the affirmation your own personal mantra. Repeat your affirmations many times throughout the day. Do this regularly and you will find that what you repeatedly tell yourself, you become.
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/
David DeNotaris, a well renowned motivational speaker, always spoke of the importance of positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are short utterances we repeat to ourselves on a regular basis. They are like mental reps to build mental muscle. Some of his favorites were:
“I’m alert, I’m alive, I feel great!”
“I’m happy, I’m healthy, I feel terrific!”
“I’m getting better and better every day in every way!”
“I like myself, I like myself, I like myself, I like myself!”
It sounds ridiculously hilarious (or maybe hilariously ridiculous) at first, but the truth is that positive affirmations are a great way to train your brain.
You may never in your life use the above positive affirmations. The secret is to come up with positive affirmations that are suitable to YOU and YOUR particular goals.
The best example is Muhammad Ali- does the phrase, “I am the greatest” ring a bell?
Advertisements, movies, and songs implant ideas into your head all the time. Think about it…
“Frosted Flakes- theyre grrrrreat”
“Pokemon- gotta catch em all”
“Run Forest Run”
The more times you implant a phrase into your head, the more your unconscious mind will accept it as fact. Have you ever heard someone say, “He believes his own BS?” Are there any childhood stories that you tell where you deep down thin, “did this even happen?” When you tell a story over and over, you start to believe it is true. This is the same thing that happens with positive affirmations.
If you want to build confidence, tell yourself- “On a good day no one can beat me, on a bad day no one can beat me.”
If you want to stop worrying about other people’s judgments, tell yourself- “I compete for myself, I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me.”
Whatever thought you would like to have more regularly, write a quick sentence that you can personally relate to, then repeat it all the time.
As any weightlifter will tell you, you cannot begin training the day before a competition. You cannot expect to do bicep curls once and have arms like Arnold. Likewise, do not expect to repeat an affirmation to yourself once and feel any result. You must literally train your brain. You must not just repeat your affirmations to yourself, you must hammer them into your head. Beat the saying into your mind (figuratively, of course). Make the affirmation your own personal mantra. Repeat your affirmations many times throughout the day. Do this regularly and you will find that what you repeatedly tell yourself, you become.
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, April 18, 2011
Mindset Monday 4/18/11- How to Regain Control of your Energy
Think back to the moments leading up to a big competition or performance. Think about the atmosphere in the locker room. Think about how people moved around. Before a competition or performance you tend to see a lot of nervous energy.
People fidget and pace. They develop idiosyncratic quirks and twitches. They develop a tunnel vision and their mind becomes very literal. Think back. It was very difficult to joke around with someone about to take center stage. As the focus of the mind narrows, movement becomes stiff and mechanical. This is why you often see simple mistakes in the very beginning of a competition. The athlete is tense and tight.
In essence, the performer loses control of their energy OR they did not control their energy from the beginning. As the competition continues, the athlete often settles in and energy is regained (hence, the reason athletes often leave wishing they performed in the beginning as they did at the end). Has this ever happened to you?
I am sure this has happened to every athlete and performer at one time or another. Luckily, there is hope to regain control of you energy. The answer is Deep Breathing.
Deep breathing is a practice of taking deep breaths in the abdomen; in though your nose, out through your mouth. Many studies show the effectiveness of deep breathing in reducing anxiety in many different settings. The idea of deep breathing is not a new one. It has been learned and modified from Eastern cultures and meditation.
Once you regain control of your breath, you begin to regain control of your body. You feel in control of your own energy. You become centered. Your movement becomes more fluid and decisive.
As a college wrestler, I began deep breathing and have seen immediate results. The athletes that I work with have been taught deep breathing and they have seen immediate results. And if you learn how to deep breathe, I can guarantee that you will see immediate results.
How to do it:
Find a quiet place and begin taking deep breaths (in through your nose, out through your mouth) through your stomach. In the beginning, place a hand on your abdomen to make sure you feel only your stomach moving in and out. Think of nothing but breathing. At this point in time, there is nothing else in the world that exists but your breath.
How to do it even better:
Follow the above directions and add a cue or anchor to deep breathing. In other words, physically perform a certain behavior while you begin deep breathing. Ie. I would place my hands on my thighs throughout my deep breaths.
How to do this best: Follow the above directions and add a symbol of serenity associated with your cue or anchor. Ie. Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid (In the Karate Kid, Miyagi places his hands on his thighs before he meditates-> this was an image that my imagination could relate with). Find your symbols
Finally, you must pair your anchor and symbol to your cue regularly. You must practice deep breathing many times before a competition before an actual competition. Practice deep breathing at least twice a week. You will see results. You will relax and regain control of your energy.
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/
People fidget and pace. They develop idiosyncratic quirks and twitches. They develop a tunnel vision and their mind becomes very literal. Think back. It was very difficult to joke around with someone about to take center stage. As the focus of the mind narrows, movement becomes stiff and mechanical. This is why you often see simple mistakes in the very beginning of a competition. The athlete is tense and tight.
In essence, the performer loses control of their energy OR they did not control their energy from the beginning. As the competition continues, the athlete often settles in and energy is regained (hence, the reason athletes often leave wishing they performed in the beginning as they did at the end). Has this ever happened to you?
I am sure this has happened to every athlete and performer at one time or another. Luckily, there is hope to regain control of you energy. The answer is Deep Breathing.
Deep breathing is a practice of taking deep breaths in the abdomen; in though your nose, out through your mouth. Many studies show the effectiveness of deep breathing in reducing anxiety in many different settings. The idea of deep breathing is not a new one. It has been learned and modified from Eastern cultures and meditation.
Once you regain control of your breath, you begin to regain control of your body. You feel in control of your own energy. You become centered. Your movement becomes more fluid and decisive.
As a college wrestler, I began deep breathing and have seen immediate results. The athletes that I work with have been taught deep breathing and they have seen immediate results. And if you learn how to deep breathe, I can guarantee that you will see immediate results.
How to do it:
Find a quiet place and begin taking deep breaths (in through your nose, out through your mouth) through your stomach. In the beginning, place a hand on your abdomen to make sure you feel only your stomach moving in and out. Think of nothing but breathing. At this point in time, there is nothing else in the world that exists but your breath.
How to do it even better:
Follow the above directions and add a cue or anchor to deep breathing. In other words, physically perform a certain behavior while you begin deep breathing. Ie. I would place my hands on my thighs throughout my deep breaths.
How to do this best: Follow the above directions and add a symbol of serenity associated with your cue or anchor. Ie. Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid (In the Karate Kid, Miyagi places his hands on his thighs before he meditates-> this was an image that my imagination could relate with). Find your symbols
Finally, you must pair your anchor and symbol to your cue regularly. You must practice deep breathing many times before a competition before an actual competition. Practice deep breathing at least twice a week. You will see results. You will relax and regain control of your energy.
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, April 11, 2011
Mindset Monday 4/11/11- Top 10 Worst Phrases for a Competition
10. “I have to…”
9. “I need to…”
8. “I ought to…”
7. “I should…”
6. “I must…”
5. “This is it OR This is everything..”
4. “Do or die”
3. “Make it or break it”
2. “It’s now or never”
1. “Don’t miss “OR “Don’t (anything)”
All competitions and practices are important, but nothing is “special.” When you make a particular competition “special,” you are most likely to put additional pressure on yourself, which can cause you to change your approach and deviate from the very actions that got you success up until this point in time.
Instead, use phrases like, “I will,” “I choose to…” “I want to,” “I’m going to.” Phrases about allude to a Jehovian command that simply cannot be supported by facts. Approach competition with a willful attitude, not an obligatory one.
Pep talks are Hollywood. Listen to Olympic and professional athletes interviews. They always speak about consistency. In the real world, great athletes stress “being myself,” “doing my own thing,” “Being me.”
In other words, great performers approach their sport with high intensity, confidence, and serenity each practice and each competition. They rarely change their approach, strategy, or mindset physically or mentally before one competition. Neither will 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/
9. “I need to…”
8. “I ought to…”
7. “I should…”
6. “I must…”
5. “This is it OR This is everything..”
4. “Do or die”
3. “Make it or break it”
2. “It’s now or never”
1. “Don’t miss “OR “Don’t (anything)”
All competitions and practices are important, but nothing is “special.” When you make a particular competition “special,” you are most likely to put additional pressure on yourself, which can cause you to change your approach and deviate from the very actions that got you success up until this point in time.
Instead, use phrases like, “I will,” “I choose to…” “I want to,” “I’m going to.” Phrases about allude to a Jehovian command that simply cannot be supported by facts. Approach competition with a willful attitude, not an obligatory one.
Pep talks are Hollywood. Listen to Olympic and professional athletes interviews. They always speak about consistency. In the real world, great athletes stress “being myself,” “doing my own thing,” “Being me.”
In other words, great performers approach their sport with high intensity, confidence, and serenity each practice and each competition. They rarely change their approach, strategy, or mindset physically or mentally before one competition. Neither will 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, April 4, 2011
Mindset Monday 4/4/11- Personality Psychology 730 (Doctoral Level)
Psychology 730- Personality Psychology (Doctoral Level)
When is personality revealed?
Research shows that there are two key components to your personality (1) your way of seeing the world and (2) your way of coping in the world.
In regards to personality, psychologists are less concerned with how individuals cope with Low Demand Situations (situations where there is low stress and little meaning) ie. while you’re home alone watching television. Rather, psychologists are more concerned with how individuals cope with High Demand Situations (situations where there is high stress and great significance)ie. after losing a major competition.
These high demand situations seem to show us an important aspect of an individual. During these times, our emotions and thoughts may be high, and in many instances, working against each other. Difficult circumstances seem to tax us and affect every fiber of our being. Often times, our future depends on our reaction to these moments.
“Pressure causes some people to break, others to break records.”
Which kind of person are you?
How you cope with High Demand Situations is crucial for your happiness and success. Tough times cause many people to quit or let up. It is often during these times where they need to fight the hardest, if they want to achieve their goal.
There are many people around us who act tough and talk a big game. It is easy to be confident and have swagger when things are going well. Show me that same person when times are tough. I see a lot of people looking tough before they face an easy opponent. Some of these same people are timid and tentative before they face difficult competition. If you are going to have swagger, have it against everyone. Don’t be a tough guy only when times are good and things are easy.
Get tough DURING the hard work out, not just before it. Be just as fired up for your last few reps as you are the first. When times are tough and the chips are down and you feel like quitting, that is especially when you must step up and bring that swagger back. If you’re tough, be tough always, not just when it’s easy.
Either way, during the tough times, we will see who you really are.
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/
When is personality revealed?
Research shows that there are two key components to your personality (1) your way of seeing the world and (2) your way of coping in the world.
In regards to personality, psychologists are less concerned with how individuals cope with Low Demand Situations (situations where there is low stress and little meaning) ie. while you’re home alone watching television. Rather, psychologists are more concerned with how individuals cope with High Demand Situations (situations where there is high stress and great significance)ie. after losing a major competition.
These high demand situations seem to show us an important aspect of an individual. During these times, our emotions and thoughts may be high, and in many instances, working against each other. Difficult circumstances seem to tax us and affect every fiber of our being. Often times, our future depends on our reaction to these moments.
“Pressure causes some people to break, others to break records.”
Which kind of person are you?
How you cope with High Demand Situations is crucial for your happiness and success. Tough times cause many people to quit or let up. It is often during these times where they need to fight the hardest, if they want to achieve their goal.
There are many people around us who act tough and talk a big game. It is easy to be confident and have swagger when things are going well. Show me that same person when times are tough. I see a lot of people looking tough before they face an easy opponent. Some of these same people are timid and tentative before they face difficult competition. If you are going to have swagger, have it against everyone. Don’t be a tough guy only when times are good and things are easy.
Get tough DURING the hard work out, not just before it. Be just as fired up for your last few reps as you are the first. When times are tough and the chips are down and you feel like quitting, that is especially when you must step up and bring that swagger back. If you’re tough, be tough always, not just when it’s easy.
Either way, during the tough times, we will see who you really are.
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, March 28, 2011
Mindset Monday 3/28/11- Success Drug Pt. 3
For the past two weeks we have been talking about the motivation as the drug that will bring you to your goals. True motivation is an internal process in which pain and pleasure are activated enough to provoke you to act in a certain way. Everything we do is with the good intention of either avoiding pain or gaining pleasure. Pain and pleasure are the driving forces behind all of our behaviors.
So how do we know what events are associated with pain and which are associated with pleasure. Our past experiences. Other people's experiences. What we see, what we hear. If a person says hello to a stranger and the stranger gets mad and yells at them, they could get a strong negative feeling about the whole encounter. The person may make an unconscious negative association between confronting strangers and upset feelings. The peron may not even realize that the next time they confront a stranger they are reluctant to do so. The person may or may not realize why this is happening.
Out brains link things together in this sam way almost instantly. This is why we have a difficult time changig. Many associations we make are below our own awareness, so we rarely even question them. Rest assure they are going on, all the time, even when you are awae of it.
Why do associations occur? It would be difficult to function in a world in which we would have to relearn things each time we are presented with them. We connect new material to things we already know. We make mental shortcuts. We connect pain and pleasure to things based often on our first experience with them or someone elses opinion. How productive are your associations is the real question!
To succeed you must simply decide what action you must take to achieve your goals and then link pain to not taking this action and pleasure to taking it. When you get a strong emotional reaction to anything, remember the situation. Your emotions are an excellent alarm system and a great opportunity for self-exploration. Decide what emotion your feeling and what it is connected to. Ask yourself if this connection is productive. If it is not you will need to form a new connection.
Once you determine an unproductive association:
Step 1: decide what emotions are connected to what thoughts or situations
step 2: challenge that connection. is it rational? does it makes sense? look for all the wholes in the logic of your connection. Write them down.
step 3: write down a new empowering connection and all the reasons this association makes sense.
step 4: look at the writing you did on step 2 and 3 at least 3 days a week for 10 minutes each time. You need to spend time and get emotionally involved in your reactions. You must really feel these new associations. Keep going over these writings until you feel the new associations. just like you would not lift weights once for a body building competition, you must TRAIN YOUR BRAIN the same way. Do this several times a week.
Make pain and pleasure work for you not against you.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
visit my blog at http://genezannetti.blogspot.com
So how do we know what events are associated with pain and which are associated with pleasure. Our past experiences. Other people's experiences. What we see, what we hear. If a person says hello to a stranger and the stranger gets mad and yells at them, they could get a strong negative feeling about the whole encounter. The person may make an unconscious negative association between confronting strangers and upset feelings. The peron may not even realize that the next time they confront a stranger they are reluctant to do so. The person may or may not realize why this is happening.
Out brains link things together in this sam way almost instantly. This is why we have a difficult time changig. Many associations we make are below our own awareness, so we rarely even question them. Rest assure they are going on, all the time, even when you are awae of it.
Why do associations occur? It would be difficult to function in a world in which we would have to relearn things each time we are presented with them. We connect new material to things we already know. We make mental shortcuts. We connect pain and pleasure to things based often on our first experience with them or someone elses opinion. How productive are your associations is the real question!
To succeed you must simply decide what action you must take to achieve your goals and then link pain to not taking this action and pleasure to taking it. When you get a strong emotional reaction to anything, remember the situation. Your emotions are an excellent alarm system and a great opportunity for self-exploration. Decide what emotion your feeling and what it is connected to. Ask yourself if this connection is productive. If it is not you will need to form a new connection.
Once you determine an unproductive association:
Step 1: decide what emotions are connected to what thoughts or situations
step 2: challenge that connection. is it rational? does it makes sense? look for all the wholes in the logic of your connection. Write them down.
step 3: write down a new empowering connection and all the reasons this association makes sense.
step 4: look at the writing you did on step 2 and 3 at least 3 days a week for 10 minutes each time. You need to spend time and get emotionally involved in your reactions. You must really feel these new associations. Keep going over these writings until you feel the new associations. just like you would not lift weights once for a body building competition, you must TRAIN YOUR BRAIN the same way. Do this several times a week.
Make pain and pleasure work for you not against you.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
genezannetti@gmail.com
908-337-6143
visit my blog at http://genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mindset Monday 3/20/11- The Success Drug
As we established last week, the drug that produces success is motivation. Not motivation in terms of rah rah speeches and pep talks, but deep personal motivation. This drug will take you to the next level that you are looking to go to.
Contrary to popular opinion, motivation is not something someone else gives you. Motivation is internal, not external. I use the term “motivational speaker” for myself because it is something that other people are familiar with. The truth is, I cannot give you motivation. I can open your eyes to some things that you may have never considered before. I can show you something from a different angle or perspective. But, true lasting motivation can only be powered by the individual- you.
All of human behavior is driven by two forces- Pain and Pleasure. To truly understand human behavior, you must look at these 2 driving forces. We strive to avoid pain and/or gain pleasure in EVERYTHING that we do. Pain and pleasure dictate every decision we make and every action that we take. In this sense, we ALWAYS act with good intentions for ourselves. It is through this lens where you begin to understand the word MOTIVE which is the root word in MOTIVATION.
This is not to say that we always act in our own best interest. Indeed we are often our own worst enemy because we think too much of short term pain and too little about long term pleasure. The point is that people take action to avoid pain and/or gain pleasure all the time.
The tricky part is that almost every action has some pleasurable experiences and some negative experiences associated with it. Consider exercising. Exercising is both exhausting, repetitive, and time consuming AND rewarding, endorphin producing, long term beneficial, and mind clearing AT THE SAME TIME. With elements of both pleasure and pain associated with exercising, will a person decide to exercise or not? The answer is, it depends on what elements the individual is focusing on at the moment of their decision. If at the decision making moment the person is focusing on the soreness they will feel the next day, they probably will decide not to exercise. If the person is focusing on how they will look in a bathing suit in the summer, they probably will decide to exercise. It comes down to the focus of their mind. If both of the soreness and the bathing suit are on our mind, we will go with the activity that has more pleasure and less pain linked to it. Pain and pleasure fuel our emotions. This is why our emotional control is absolutely critical to our success.
The secret is: we need to first decide what we want to accomplish. Then we must decide the action that we need to take that will bring us to our goals. Then, we need to link pleasure to performing this action and pain to not performing the action. It is really that simple. In fact you may say to yourself, I already know that. I will then ask you, how well do you apply this?
Next week we will talk more about pain and pleasure and how our mind naturally links pain and pleasure to objects, people, and activities, and how we can learn to control these two forces to accomplish our goals.
Stay with me…
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/
Contrary to popular opinion, motivation is not something someone else gives you. Motivation is internal, not external. I use the term “motivational speaker” for myself because it is something that other people are familiar with. The truth is, I cannot give you motivation. I can open your eyes to some things that you may have never considered before. I can show you something from a different angle or perspective. But, true lasting motivation can only be powered by the individual- you.
All of human behavior is driven by two forces- Pain and Pleasure. To truly understand human behavior, you must look at these 2 driving forces. We strive to avoid pain and/or gain pleasure in EVERYTHING that we do. Pain and pleasure dictate every decision we make and every action that we take. In this sense, we ALWAYS act with good intentions for ourselves. It is through this lens where you begin to understand the word MOTIVE which is the root word in MOTIVATION.
This is not to say that we always act in our own best interest. Indeed we are often our own worst enemy because we think too much of short term pain and too little about long term pleasure. The point is that people take action to avoid pain and/or gain pleasure all the time.
The tricky part is that almost every action has some pleasurable experiences and some negative experiences associated with it. Consider exercising. Exercising is both exhausting, repetitive, and time consuming AND rewarding, endorphin producing, long term beneficial, and mind clearing AT THE SAME TIME. With elements of both pleasure and pain associated with exercising, will a person decide to exercise or not? The answer is, it depends on what elements the individual is focusing on at the moment of their decision. If at the decision making moment the person is focusing on the soreness they will feel the next day, they probably will decide not to exercise. If the person is focusing on how they will look in a bathing suit in the summer, they probably will decide to exercise. It comes down to the focus of their mind. If both of the soreness and the bathing suit are on our mind, we will go with the activity that has more pleasure and less pain linked to it. Pain and pleasure fuel our emotions. This is why our emotional control is absolutely critical to our success.
The secret is: we need to first decide what we want to accomplish. Then we must decide the action that we need to take that will bring us to our goals. Then, we need to link pleasure to performing this action and pain to not performing the action. It is really that simple. In fact you may say to yourself, I already know that. I will then ask you, how well do you apply this?
Next week we will talk more about pain and pleasure and how our mind naturally links pain and pleasure to objects, people, and activities, and how we can learn to control these two forces to accomplish our goals.
Stay with me…
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, March 14, 2011
Mindset Monday- 3/14/11- The Drug To Take To Achieve Your Goal
If I offered you a drug, with no side effects, that could help you achieve your goal, would you take it? This is a one question IQ test. Of course you would. I can give you this drug, but you must first be willing to take it.
What if I told you that you already know what this drug is, but you misunderstand it? And that is why you are not the getting results you want.
The drug is very simple: Motivation.
Ok, so you probably need a pep talk right? Wrong. When most people hear the word motivation they think of pep talks and yelling coaches. Don’t worry it’s not your fault. You have been fed this information since you were young. It’s Hollywood. You watch a sports movie and see a coach give a passionate speech before a big game, and then you see the team go out and win. Not only is this a poor coaching strategy (more on this at a later time) but it is NOT motivation.
The root word in motivation is motive. What is your motive or reason for action or inaction? Motivation is the INTERNAL (within) force that drives or compels you to not act or to act in a certain way.
Motivation is intimately linked to 2 principles (1) AVOID PAIN (2) GAIN PLEASURE.
All of human behavior boils down to these two principles.
If you want the drug that will get you get you to your goals, you absolutely must understand YOURSELF and how you relate to PAIN and PLEASURE.]
Over the next few weeks, you will learn to make principle of motivation work as your slave, so you can gain control of your life and live your dreams.
Stay with me..
If you are interested in personal consultation or have a topic you would like me to feature on Mindset Monday, please email me at genezannetti@gmail.com
What if I told you that you already know what this drug is, but you misunderstand it? And that is why you are not the getting results you want.
The drug is very simple: Motivation.
Ok, so you probably need a pep talk right? Wrong. When most people hear the word motivation they think of pep talks and yelling coaches. Don’t worry it’s not your fault. You have been fed this information since you were young. It’s Hollywood. You watch a sports movie and see a coach give a passionate speech before a big game, and then you see the team go out and win. Not only is this a poor coaching strategy (more on this at a later time) but it is NOT motivation.
The root word in motivation is motive. What is your motive or reason for action or inaction? Motivation is the INTERNAL (within) force that drives or compels you to not act or to act in a certain way.
Motivation is intimately linked to 2 principles (1) AVOID PAIN (2) GAIN PLEASURE.
All of human behavior boils down to these two principles.
If you want the drug that will get you get you to your goals, you absolutely must understand YOURSELF and how you relate to PAIN and PLEASURE.]
Over the next few weeks, you will learn to make principle of motivation work as your slave, so you can gain control of your life and live your dreams.
Stay with me..
If you are interested in personal consultation or have a topic you would like me to feature on Mindset Monday, please email me at genezannetti@gmail.com
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mindset Monday 3/7/11 - Driving with the Emergency Brake?
Imagine driving a high performance car, say a Lamborghini, on a race track. You start the car and you begin to drive. You give it more gas,You shift the gears, Your speed climbs. You feel your car moving faster and faster until all of a sudden...you hit a plateau. Your speed remains constant well below the cars known potential. You become frustrated, you get angry, you search for the problem. Your pedal is to the floor. Check. You are in the highest gear. Check. You seem to b doing everything within your power to push the car to its top speed. You look down, and you finally notice...You are driving with the Emergency Brake!
Many, if not most athletes have at least another 2 or 3 unused gears inside them. Gears that are very available, but they are not using them. As an athlete, I always hated it when coaches would tell me that I was just about ready to, "turn that corner." This is frustrating to an athlete who is trying to do everything within his or her power to properly prepare for their sport.
The good news is: Most athletes are not lacking any ability, they are just blocking it. If you are putting in hours and hours of time into preparation and you know deep down that you are better than your performance shows, you too are blocking it. There is no corner to turn. You are already there. You just need to learn how to release the emergency brake.
There are 4 main jobs of all sport psychologists, life coaches, personal trainers etc. (1) Help the person decide what they want (2) Map out a plan to get there (3) Get the person to take action and (4) help the person step out of their own way. In essence, unblock themselves.
If you are already doing steps 1-3 on your own and are not getting the results you deserve, you only need to learn how to unblock yourself. It is simple IF, repeat IF, you take proper action and train your mind.
Learn the lessons from my blog and past blogs. Release the emergency brake and take your performance to your potential.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
genezannetti.blogspot.com
Many, if not most athletes have at least another 2 or 3 unused gears inside them. Gears that are very available, but they are not using them. As an athlete, I always hated it when coaches would tell me that I was just about ready to, "turn that corner." This is frustrating to an athlete who is trying to do everything within his or her power to properly prepare for their sport.
The good news is: Most athletes are not lacking any ability, they are just blocking it. If you are putting in hours and hours of time into preparation and you know deep down that you are better than your performance shows, you too are blocking it. There is no corner to turn. You are already there. You just need to learn how to release the emergency brake.
There are 4 main jobs of all sport psychologists, life coaches, personal trainers etc. (1) Help the person decide what they want (2) Map out a plan to get there (3) Get the person to take action and (4) help the person step out of their own way. In essence, unblock themselves.
If you are already doing steps 1-3 on your own and are not getting the results you deserve, you only need to learn how to unblock yourself. It is simple IF, repeat IF, you take proper action and train your mind.
Learn the lessons from my blog and past blogs. Release the emergency brake and take your performance to your potential.
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
genezannetti.blogspot.com
Monday, February 28, 2011
Mindset Monday 2/28/11- 4 Mandatory Mindsets for Championship Weekend
Pre-Competition
1. I don't care who I go against, I want everyone. I go after the tougher opponent. I live for the challenge.
The best defense is a good offense right? Same thing with your mindset. If you seek the challenge and look for tougher opponents, you're not worried about competing against someone good. You want them!
2. I'm good enough to beat this person, or anyone else for that matter.
Confidence Plus is a Must.
3. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now. I live for this. I love it!
Present, In the moment. Devoted 100% to the experience you're having.
Post-Competition
4. This is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
Learn from everything- wins and losses. Learn lesson regardless and move on.
Note- If you are missing ANY of these mindsets, it is important to rethink your mental game and take the steps necessary to change them to the ones above.
1. I don't care who I go against, I want everyone. I go after the tougher opponent. I live for the challenge.
The best defense is a good offense right? Same thing with your mindset. If you seek the challenge and look for tougher opponents, you're not worried about competing against someone good. You want them!
2. I'm good enough to beat this person, or anyone else for that matter.
Confidence Plus is a Must.
3. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now. I live for this. I love it!
Present, In the moment. Devoted 100% to the experience you're having.
Post-Competition
4. This is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
Learn from everything- wins and losses. Learn lesson regardless and move on.
Note- If you are missing ANY of these mindsets, it is important to rethink your mental game and take the steps necessary to change them to the ones above.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mindset Monday 2/21/11- 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!
In honor of the Region tournament this week in New Jersey wrestling, here is the documentary THE SEASON: IOWA WRESTLING...this is what I'm taking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peKWoVOA85s
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!
In honor of the Region tournament this week in New Jersey wrestling, here is the documentary THE SEASON: IOWA WRESTLING...this is what I'm taking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peKWoVOA85s
Monday, February 14, 2011
Mindset Monday 2/14/11- Life is Choice
The longer I live, the more...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
- Charles R. Swindoll
These numbers seem pretty strong. And I am sure these figures severely underestimate sociology and the power of context. I do not know if you can assign accurate numbers, but I am sure life is part what happens to you and part how you react to it.
In other words- Life is Choice.
Life is filled with choices, made up of trade offs which include their own respective consequences, some of which we cannot see, only predict. The consequences in turn shape your life to some extent.
So at the most basic level, your choices affect your life.
My parents always stressed two big concepts to my brothers and I- (1) Always be a good person (2) Always use good common sense.
Both are important!
I've heard it said, "good things happen to good people" and "what goes around comes around." Neither of these are true in a literal sense, all the time. These saying hold up sometimes, but not always.
I have seen many "good" people make bad decisions that have literally ruined their life. Good people who made 1 bad decision, 1 time.
This is not to say that everything you do has life affecting consequences. But the truth is, some choices you make do have THAT big of an impact.
But remember! You do not only have a choice in big matters. You have a choice all the time. The first step to controlling your life is recognizing that you are in control of your life (at least to some degree). Remember life is part what happens to you, but also part how you react to it. How you react to life are your choices. And good decision making is crucial to a happy and successful life.
You have control of your choices. You can choose to be a victim or anything else. (-peaceful warrior).
Realize you can choose to let someone anger, annoy, or upset you or not.
You can choose to eat healthy or not, go all out or hold back, exercise or not, take drugs or not, have unprotected sex or not etc.
All life is a choice. Even reading this right now is a choice. You can choose to do what you want.
This is a very empowering and liberating idea. Imagine living under Communism with no choice at all. You would be dying to come to a Democracy, like you live in, with the options and choices before you right now.
Start appreciating your choice.
Another thing to remember is to only concern yourself with things you have control of. Do not waste time worrying about things you cannot control. This will lead to unnecessary fear, anxiety, and stress.
Your Choice (which includes how you will act) is the only thing you can control. Do not overly concern yourself with other people's decisions and actions, even if they work against you. Just decide what you want to do from this point forward.
The second step to controlling your life is realizing NOW is the moment of power. Now is the time we harvest the crops of the past and plant the seeds for the future. There is power that lies in the past or future. The past does shape where we are now. The future does shape the course of action we will take now. But, the PRESENT is the only time that you can act.
So our first two steps to controlling our life are (1) Recognizing you have a choice and (2) Realizing that Now is the only moment you are capable of acting on your choice.
You can choose to act in the future, but you are only capable of acting in the present. Concern yourself with (1) Your Power of Choice and (2) The Present Moment
- Charles R. Swindoll
These numbers seem pretty strong. And I am sure these figures severely underestimate sociology and the power of context. I do not know if you can assign accurate numbers, but I am sure life is part what happens to you and part how you react to it.
In other words- Life is Choice.
Life is filled with choices, made up of trade offs which include their own respective consequences, some of which we cannot see, only predict. The consequences in turn shape your life to some extent.
So at the most basic level, your choices affect your life.
My parents always stressed two big concepts to my brothers and I- (1) Always be a good person (2) Always use good common sense.
Both are important!
I've heard it said, "good things happen to good people" and "what goes around comes around." Neither of these are true in a literal sense, all the time. These saying hold up sometimes, but not always.
I have seen many "good" people make bad decisions that have literally ruined their life. Good people who made 1 bad decision, 1 time.
This is not to say that everything you do has life affecting consequences. But the truth is, some choices you make do have THAT big of an impact.
But remember! You do not only have a choice in big matters. You have a choice all the time. The first step to controlling your life is recognizing that you are in control of your life (at least to some degree). Remember life is part what happens to you, but also part how you react to it. How you react to life are your choices. And good decision making is crucial to a happy and successful life.
You have control of your choices. You can choose to be a victim or anything else. (-peaceful warrior).
Realize you can choose to let someone anger, annoy, or upset you or not.
You can choose to eat healthy or not, go all out or hold back, exercise or not, take drugs or not, have unprotected sex or not etc.
All life is a choice. Even reading this right now is a choice. You can choose to do what you want.
This is a very empowering and liberating idea. Imagine living under Communism with no choice at all. You would be dying to come to a Democracy, like you live in, with the options and choices before you right now.
Start appreciating your choice.
Another thing to remember is to only concern yourself with things you have control of. Do not waste time worrying about things you cannot control. This will lead to unnecessary fear, anxiety, and stress.
Your Choice (which includes how you will act) is the only thing you can control. Do not overly concern yourself with other people's decisions and actions, even if they work against you. Just decide what you want to do from this point forward.
The second step to controlling your life is realizing NOW is the moment of power. Now is the time we harvest the crops of the past and plant the seeds for the future. There is power that lies in the past or future. The past does shape where we are now. The future does shape the course of action we will take now. But, the PRESENT is the only time that you can act.
So our first two steps to controlling our life are (1) Recognizing you have a choice and (2) Realizing that Now is the only moment you are capable of acting on your choice.
You can choose to act in the future, but you are only capable of acting in the present. Concern yourself with (1) Your Power of Choice and (2) The Present Moment
Monday, February 7, 2011
Mindset Monday 2/7/11- Pull the Trigger
Pull the Trigger
To sum up Sport/Performance Psychology in a 3 word sentence- Pull the trigger!
This is analogous to the Nike slogan of "Just Do It." However, I like "pull the trigger" because it commands the most attention and includes a sense of urgency.
When it comes right down to it, you are faced with one major decision in life- Am I going to go all out OR am I going to hold back? (thank you Dr. Rob Gilbert) Are you going to make it happen or are you going to sit back and hope it happens? I'm sure anyone reading this does not need to be convinced that the difference between champions in sports and life are the ones who make things happen. Champions pull the trigger.
There are many things that could inhibit someone from pulling the trigger- fear, past experience, over analysis, etc etc. Many people have a misconception that champions do not go through similar mental discomforts- they are just different kinds of people than we are, they say. Well guess what? Champions are human just like anyone else- never subhuman or superhuman, but simply human. They have emotions, doubts, fears, nervousness, and past failures just like anyone else, but they act ANYWAY.
A warrior isn't about perfection or victory or invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability- that's the only true courage. (Peaceful Warrior)
Champions do not let doubts, fears, and past failures cripple them from taking action. Typically, a champion uses "failure" to motivate themselves to take more action. Champions will pull the trigger.
Many do not realize this, but Champions lose more than normal people lose. Why? Because they make more attempts than ordinary people. The difference is that they continue to take action no matter what their outcomes. Surely they use their failures as feedback and thus look honestly at themselves and make modifications when necessary, but they continue to act, they continue to pull the trigger.
Take a look at a few examples of Champions losing more than normal people:
~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!
NJ wrestling great Andrew Flanagan once said that in high school he wrestled in higher divisions in the off-season and thus had a lot of losses. But that made him tougher and was a big contributor to his success. He said, "if you're not losing, your not wrestling good enough competition." You can apply this to any area in life. The Champion seeks the best competition. He goes for the challenge, to test himself. We often tend to compete at the level of our competition. So to raise your level, raise your competition. How many people could have been so much better if they would have chosen to join the pack of lions instead of assuming the lead among wolves. Yeah it may feel good, but which will make you better? Ask yourself that honestly. Is your goal to look good in front of people and feel good? Or is it to get as good as you can (which of course will eventually lead to recognition and good self feelings)?
I love to hear the reasoning when I hear great performers call BS on Sport/Performance Psychology. They say "that stuff" is garbage. I don't think about psychology or anything for that matter. I just do it.
When I hear this I always laugh to myself because theirin lies the master of Performance Psychology. If I had to make a brief list of what Performance Psychology in a nutshell it would be (1)Help person find what they want (2)Come up with a plan of how to achieve it (3)Get person to take action (3)Get person to step out of their own way (get their mind and body to work together). That's it!
The Champions who call a bluff on Performance Psychology do naturally exactly as they are supposed to (they just do not realize it) - they know what they want, they act, they don't get in their own way by over thinking or negative thinking.
True, some people have it naturally. So it's tempting to say, "you either have it or you don't." Well I say, you have it or you can LEARN IT. Remember the strong rule the weak, but the smart rule the strong (for example humans tame lions, not the reverse). As some people are naturally stronger than others, this is not the end of the story. On the contrary, a person who is naturally strong who never lifts weights can and will lose to the unnatural who makes lifting weights a high priority. There are scientific ways to improve your strength, just as there are scientific ways to improve your mindset.
That's right, this is not chat room discussion. This is a SCIENTIFIC FIELD. A lot of people aren't aware of that. Sport Psychology is a SCIENCE. Many coaches tell athletes to be more confident or to relax. But they never tell them quite how to do it. Probably because they themselves are not aware of how to do so. I'm here to tell you there are techniques and systematic ways to help you get more confident and to relax when you get too nervous. Whether you take advantage of them or not is up to you...
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
To sum up Sport/Performance Psychology in a 3 word sentence- Pull the trigger!
This is analogous to the Nike slogan of "Just Do It." However, I like "pull the trigger" because it commands the most attention and includes a sense of urgency.
When it comes right down to it, you are faced with one major decision in life- Am I going to go all out OR am I going to hold back? (thank you Dr. Rob Gilbert) Are you going to make it happen or are you going to sit back and hope it happens? I'm sure anyone reading this does not need to be convinced that the difference between champions in sports and life are the ones who make things happen. Champions pull the trigger.
There are many things that could inhibit someone from pulling the trigger- fear, past experience, over analysis, etc etc. Many people have a misconception that champions do not go through similar mental discomforts- they are just different kinds of people than we are, they say. Well guess what? Champions are human just like anyone else- never subhuman or superhuman, but simply human. They have emotions, doubts, fears, nervousness, and past failures just like anyone else, but they act ANYWAY.
A warrior isn't about perfection or victory or invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability- that's the only true courage. (Peaceful Warrior)
Champions do not let doubts, fears, and past failures cripple them from taking action. Typically, a champion uses "failure" to motivate themselves to take more action. Champions will pull the trigger.
Many do not realize this, but Champions lose more than normal people lose. Why? Because they make more attempts than ordinary people. The difference is that they continue to take action no matter what their outcomes. Surely they use their failures as feedback and thus look honestly at themselves and make modifications when necessary, but they continue to act, they continue to pull the trigger.
Take a look at a few examples of Champions losing more than normal people:
~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!
NJ wrestling great Andrew Flanagan once said that in high school he wrestled in higher divisions in the off-season and thus had a lot of losses. But that made him tougher and was a big contributor to his success. He said, "if you're not losing, your not wrestling good enough competition." You can apply this to any area in life. The Champion seeks the best competition. He goes for the challenge, to test himself. We often tend to compete at the level of our competition. So to raise your level, raise your competition. How many people could have been so much better if they would have chosen to join the pack of lions instead of assuming the lead among wolves. Yeah it may feel good, but which will make you better? Ask yourself that honestly. Is your goal to look good in front of people and feel good? Or is it to get as good as you can (which of course will eventually lead to recognition and good self feelings)?
I love to hear the reasoning when I hear great performers call BS on Sport/Performance Psychology. They say "that stuff" is garbage. I don't think about psychology or anything for that matter. I just do it.
When I hear this I always laugh to myself because theirin lies the master of Performance Psychology. If I had to make a brief list of what Performance Psychology in a nutshell it would be (1)Help person find what they want (2)Come up with a plan of how to achieve it (3)Get person to take action (3)Get person to step out of their own way (get their mind and body to work together). That's it!
The Champions who call a bluff on Performance Psychology do naturally exactly as they are supposed to (they just do not realize it) - they know what they want, they act, they don't get in their own way by over thinking or negative thinking.
True, some people have it naturally. So it's tempting to say, "you either have it or you don't." Well I say, you have it or you can LEARN IT. Remember the strong rule the weak, but the smart rule the strong (for example humans tame lions, not the reverse). As some people are naturally stronger than others, this is not the end of the story. On the contrary, a person who is naturally strong who never lifts weights can and will lose to the unnatural who makes lifting weights a high priority. There are scientific ways to improve your strength, just as there are scientific ways to improve your mindset.
That's right, this is not chat room discussion. This is a SCIENTIFIC FIELD. A lot of people aren't aware of that. Sport Psychology is a SCIENCE. Many coaches tell athletes to be more confident or to relax. But they never tell them quite how to do it. Probably because they themselves are not aware of how to do so. I'm here to tell you there are techniques and systematic ways to help you get more confident and to relax when you get too nervous. Whether you take advantage of them or not is up to you...
Gene Zannetti
Peak Performance Specialist
(908) 337-6143
genezannetti@gmail.com
Monday, January 31, 2011
Mindset Monday 1/31/11- Think Big
There is no factor more crucial to your success than your self-image. –David DeNotaris
Only a person with a big self-image can achieve big dreams. Donald Trump says, “if you are going to think anyway, you might as well think big…real big.”
In many of his books, Trump speaks about a story of himself and former president Jimmy Carter. Carter gave Trump a phone call asking him for a multi-million dollar donation to his new library. Trump was surprised by this request because he was always very vocal about his disagreements with many of the former president’s policies. Trump declined Carter’s offer, but withdrew a valuable lesson from the situation. He said that this experience made him realize why Carter was a US president: he had the ability to think really big.
One of the greatest influences on my wrestling career was Darren Schulman, a 2 time Division 1 All-American, NJ state champion. I was fortunate to have Darren as one of my coaches and mentors when I was in college. Darren asked me, while I was a young freshman, what my goals in college were. I told him I wanted to be an All-American when I was a senior. Coach Schulman, who is a no nonsense guy, told me in no uncertain terms that my goal was not high enough. He said that my goal should be to win the nationals THAT YEAR. I was a little surprised by his idea, but it didn’t take me long to realize that THIS IS THE REASON HE WAS SO SUCCESSFUL. He thinks big. He still thinks big. Whenever I think my goals are high, I have a talk with him and I quickly realize that I should raise the bar even higher.
Darren Schulman was and is a great wrestler and coach. He is the owner and head coach of SugarFoot School of Wrestling. I recommend you check out his website at:
http://www.sugarfootwrestling.com/
A person who does not believe they will succeed decreases their chances of success significantly. –Gene Zannetti
As a senior in college at the University of Pennsylvania, I conducted a sociological experiment with my good friend Zach Bretz. We asked students, “Where do you see yourself on the socio-economic scale in the next 10 years?” We gave the categories Below Average, Average, Slightly Above Average, Well Above Average, and Living the American Dream. Much to our surprise, most people projected themselves at only Slightly Above Average. These were some of the best and brightest in an IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL! How could they only see themselves at slightly above average? Zach and I saw ourselves Living the American Dream, so should you!
I submit to you, that if you choose to be a State Champ, National Champ, or Living the American Dream, you will have a better chance of achieving it than your small minded peers. Have you ever heard a post game interview where the champion said, “I never thought I could win.” I haven’t, and I know there is a lesson to take from that.
Think big. Go For the gold. If people aren’t laughing at your goals, they probably aren’t high enough.
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/
Only a person with a big self-image can achieve big dreams. Donald Trump says, “if you are going to think anyway, you might as well think big…real big.”
In many of his books, Trump speaks about a story of himself and former president Jimmy Carter. Carter gave Trump a phone call asking him for a multi-million dollar donation to his new library. Trump was surprised by this request because he was always very vocal about his disagreements with many of the former president’s policies. Trump declined Carter’s offer, but withdrew a valuable lesson from the situation. He said that this experience made him realize why Carter was a US president: he had the ability to think really big.
One of the greatest influences on my wrestling career was Darren Schulman, a 2 time Division 1 All-American, NJ state champion. I was fortunate to have Darren as one of my coaches and mentors when I was in college. Darren asked me, while I was a young freshman, what my goals in college were. I told him I wanted to be an All-American when I was a senior. Coach Schulman, who is a no nonsense guy, told me in no uncertain terms that my goal was not high enough. He said that my goal should be to win the nationals THAT YEAR. I was a little surprised by his idea, but it didn’t take me long to realize that THIS IS THE REASON HE WAS SO SUCCESSFUL. He thinks big. He still thinks big. Whenever I think my goals are high, I have a talk with him and I quickly realize that I should raise the bar even higher.
Darren Schulman was and is a great wrestler and coach. He is the owner and head coach of SugarFoot School of Wrestling. I recommend you check out his website at:
http://www.sugarfootwrestling.com/
A person who does not believe they will succeed decreases their chances of success significantly. –Gene Zannetti
As a senior in college at the University of Pennsylvania, I conducted a sociological experiment with my good friend Zach Bretz. We asked students, “Where do you see yourself on the socio-economic scale in the next 10 years?” We gave the categories Below Average, Average, Slightly Above Average, Well Above Average, and Living the American Dream. Much to our surprise, most people projected themselves at only Slightly Above Average. These were some of the best and brightest in an IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL! How could they only see themselves at slightly above average? Zach and I saw ourselves Living the American Dream, so should you!
I submit to you, that if you choose to be a State Champ, National Champ, or Living the American Dream, you will have a better chance of achieving it than your small minded peers. Have you ever heard a post game interview where the champion said, “I never thought I could win.” I haven’t, and I know there is a lesson to take from that.
Think big. Go For the gold. If people aren’t laughing at your goals, they probably aren’t high enough.
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, January 24, 2011
Mindset Monday 1/24/11- Watch FLOW and 4 easy steps to attain it
For the past three weeks we have been discussing the Flow state in sport and performance. As we have said:
Flow is an experience (not exclusive to sports) where a person is immersed in an activity and has their mind focused on the present moment while losing consciousness of ego, self-evaluations, and the audience and audience evaluations. Things seem to fall into place as the unconscious takes over and a self-transcendence is reached.
This week we will present videos of 2 athletes in Flow and give 4 of the most important tips on ways for YOU to CREATE this mindset in YOURSELF, absolutely positively guaranteed.
Flow caught on tape!
FLOW 1
1992 NBA Finals Game 1. Michael Jordan scored a finals record of 35 points in the 1st half. This included six 3-pointers, another record. Watch Jordan's face throughout the video. He does not get excited, he simply keeps doing his thing. Only after his 6th 3-pointer do we see him finally show emotion and reflection of the situation- he shrugs his shoulders, as if to say I don't know how this is happening.
This is Flow:
Michael Jordan-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86KRYhXyPBo&feature=related
FLOW 2
Autistic student, Jason McElwain was the team manager for his high school basketball team. The last game of the season, his coached allowed his to dress. With two minutes left in the game, the coach gave Jason the signal to go in. After 2 missed shots, Jason McElwain does something extraordinary. He attained Flow. He made the next 6 shots in a row. Watch this clip and see what I'm talking about. He makes 3 in a row and its very exciting. And then it starts to get freaky, as he makes 3 more. It's a little bit scary to watch someone in this Flow state because for a little while, potential is reached and self-transcendence is achieved. Limits seem to disappear. Anything becomes possible.
Jason McElwain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cOp6EDFlI&feature=related
Jason illustrates how Flow is not exclusive to anyone, or any group of people.
This video makes me think of a quote I heard a long time ago by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
While it may not be possible to will a Flow state, it is my firm belief that you can facilitate it, and thus make it more likely to happen.
Steps to facilitate Flow-
1* Practice Trusting your abilities.
[Know there is a difference between Training and Trusting. Training is analysis of behavior and technical awareness. Trusting is the act of Letting Go and allowing your instincts to take over. Both are necessary to become successful. Remember the timeless wisdom, you need to practice the way you want to play. This means if in a game you want to be in a Trusting mode, you must spend time in practice actually practicing Trusting. Dr. Bob Rotell recommends if you are a golfer you practice 70% of your shots in a Trusting Mindset. You can apply that theory to any sport or trade.]
2* Practice Letting Go of Your ego and Value Judgments (good vs. bad, right vs wrong) in Sports...and in Life. Just see things as they are. [Note- This does NOT apply to your morals.]
3* Practice staying in the Present Moment and having an alert yet clear mind. [Watch the movie Peaceful Warrior to get a better sense of this.]
4* Learn about meditation and practice it on your own on a regular basis.
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/
Flow is an experience (not exclusive to sports) where a person is immersed in an activity and has their mind focused on the present moment while losing consciousness of ego, self-evaluations, and the audience and audience evaluations. Things seem to fall into place as the unconscious takes over and a self-transcendence is reached.
This week we will present videos of 2 athletes in Flow and give 4 of the most important tips on ways for YOU to CREATE this mindset in YOURSELF, absolutely positively guaranteed.
Flow caught on tape!
FLOW 1
1992 NBA Finals Game 1. Michael Jordan scored a finals record of 35 points in the 1st half. This included six 3-pointers, another record. Watch Jordan's face throughout the video. He does not get excited, he simply keeps doing his thing. Only after his 6th 3-pointer do we see him finally show emotion and reflection of the situation- he shrugs his shoulders, as if to say I don't know how this is happening.
This is Flow:
Michael Jordan-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86KRYhXyPBo&feature=related
FLOW 2
Autistic student, Jason McElwain was the team manager for his high school basketball team. The last game of the season, his coached allowed his to dress. With two minutes left in the game, the coach gave Jason the signal to go in. After 2 missed shots, Jason McElwain does something extraordinary. He attained Flow. He made the next 6 shots in a row. Watch this clip and see what I'm talking about. He makes 3 in a row and its very exciting. And then it starts to get freaky, as he makes 3 more. It's a little bit scary to watch someone in this Flow state because for a little while, potential is reached and self-transcendence is achieved. Limits seem to disappear. Anything becomes possible.
Jason McElwain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cOp6EDFlI&feature=related
Jason illustrates how Flow is not exclusive to anyone, or any group of people.
This video makes me think of a quote I heard a long time ago by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
While it may not be possible to will a Flow state, it is my firm belief that you can facilitate it, and thus make it more likely to happen.
Steps to facilitate Flow-
1* Practice Trusting your abilities.
[Know there is a difference between Training and Trusting. Training is analysis of behavior and technical awareness. Trusting is the act of Letting Go and allowing your instincts to take over. Both are necessary to become successful. Remember the timeless wisdom, you need to practice the way you want to play. This means if in a game you want to be in a Trusting mode, you must spend time in practice actually practicing Trusting. Dr. Bob Rotell recommends if you are a golfer you practice 70% of your shots in a Trusting Mindset. You can apply that theory to any sport or trade.]
2* Practice Letting Go of Your ego and Value Judgments (good vs. bad, right vs wrong) in Sports...and in Life. Just see things as they are. [Note- This does NOT apply to your morals.]
3* Practice staying in the Present Moment and having an alert yet clear mind. [Watch the movie Peaceful Warrior to get a better sense of this.]
4* Learn about meditation and practice it on your own on a regular basis.
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, January 17, 2011
Mindset Monday 1/17/11- FLOW while you compete Pt.2
Continued from last week…
Dr. David Lieberman describes this IDEAL STATE as he calls it:
"Your ideal state of mind is to have no ego and this is achieved by focusing solely on your objective. This will allow you to be unconcerned with how you are coming across and help you avoid second-guessing yourself. If you are absorbed with your objective, the "I" or the ego disappears and you can pursue your goal relentlessly. Focus only on the outcome, not on yourself."
Surely when Dr. Lieberman speaks of focusing on your objective, he means focusing on executing your mission, not on how to do it, and certainly not on winning. When you watch McElwain and Jordan below, they are achieving Flow by thinking about making baskets, not on winning the game. The winning is a byproduct of making baskets.
Letting Go and Trusting your instincts is another important part of attaining Flow. A common complaint among athletes is that they perform better in practice than in a match or a game. I believe that this phenomena of a "practice room wrestler" is due to the fact that in practice it is easier to LET GO. In practice, these athletes attain, if not, come closer to attaining Flow. They may experience tunnel vision to an optimal extent, not to the extreme. Fluidity and creativity is maintained as one is loose and relaxed with their muscles. Being too in the Zone would create extreme tunnel vision, and overall narrowing of the vision. This is likely what happens when a "practice room wrestler" competes, due to over arousal.
I do not know if there are different levels of Flow and if exists along a continuum, but I would have to believe this is at least somewhat the case. Either way, it seems the more into Flow one becomes, the better.
So if in practice an athlete can come closer to Flow, they will probably perform better (better not in terms of wins or losses, but rather in terms of competing to their potential). If its easier to Let Go in practice, then it logically follows that the athlete will be more into Flow and thus perform better.
A more technical name for Flow is what Sport Psychologists call Ideal Peak Performance State (IPPS). They say there are 7 characteristics of IPPS.
(1) Total Concentration (focused on the Here and Now. Living in the present moment).
(2) Clear Goals (the clear objective we spoke of earlier)
(3) Lack of Self-Awareness (loss of the ego and audience and audience evaluations).
(4) Unambiguous Feedback (Clearly seeing things as they are. Also includes no value judgements of good or bad associated with actions. Not thinking, yet not dreaming, ready for whatever may come).
(5) Sense of Control (In a sense that the person is competent enough to perform the task, the task must be a challenge, neither over challenging or under utilizing the person's present skills) It is a little bit of a stretch of the persons current skill level, hence it is within their control, and the person is aware of this
(6) Autotelic (Self-Goals) Experience (Intrinsic Motivation, the process becomes its own reward)
(7) Transformation of Time (Which some report, make time seem to slow down during the task, but paradoxically seems fast once the task is over).
How Does it feel to be in Flow? (basically corresponds with the 7 characteristics of Flow):
1. Completely involved in the experience. Focus and concentration.
2. Sense of ecstasy. Greater than normal.
3. Inner clarity. Knowing what needs to be done and how to do it.
4. Sense of Control (we spoke of just above).
5. Sense of Serenity (loss of ego and evaluations)
6. Timelessness (Happens in a flash, things fly by).
7. Intrinsic Motivation (we spoke of before).
Warch FLOW in action next week: Jason McElwain and Michael Jordan
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/
Dr. David Lieberman describes this IDEAL STATE as he calls it:
"Your ideal state of mind is to have no ego and this is achieved by focusing solely on your objective. This will allow you to be unconcerned with how you are coming across and help you avoid second-guessing yourself. If you are absorbed with your objective, the "I" or the ego disappears and you can pursue your goal relentlessly. Focus only on the outcome, not on yourself."
Surely when Dr. Lieberman speaks of focusing on your objective, he means focusing on executing your mission, not on how to do it, and certainly not on winning. When you watch McElwain and Jordan below, they are achieving Flow by thinking about making baskets, not on winning the game. The winning is a byproduct of making baskets.
Letting Go and Trusting your instincts is another important part of attaining Flow. A common complaint among athletes is that they perform better in practice than in a match or a game. I believe that this phenomena of a "practice room wrestler" is due to the fact that in practice it is easier to LET GO. In practice, these athletes attain, if not, come closer to attaining Flow. They may experience tunnel vision to an optimal extent, not to the extreme. Fluidity and creativity is maintained as one is loose and relaxed with their muscles. Being too in the Zone would create extreme tunnel vision, and overall narrowing of the vision. This is likely what happens when a "practice room wrestler" competes, due to over arousal.
I do not know if there are different levels of Flow and if exists along a continuum, but I would have to believe this is at least somewhat the case. Either way, it seems the more into Flow one becomes, the better.
So if in practice an athlete can come closer to Flow, they will probably perform better (better not in terms of wins or losses, but rather in terms of competing to their potential). If its easier to Let Go in practice, then it logically follows that the athlete will be more into Flow and thus perform better.
A more technical name for Flow is what Sport Psychologists call Ideal Peak Performance State (IPPS). They say there are 7 characteristics of IPPS.
(1) Total Concentration (focused on the Here and Now. Living in the present moment).
(2) Clear Goals (the clear objective we spoke of earlier)
(3) Lack of Self-Awareness (loss of the ego and audience and audience evaluations).
(4) Unambiguous Feedback (Clearly seeing things as they are. Also includes no value judgements of good or bad associated with actions. Not thinking, yet not dreaming, ready for whatever may come).
(5) Sense of Control (In a sense that the person is competent enough to perform the task, the task must be a challenge, neither over challenging or under utilizing the person's present skills) It is a little bit of a stretch of the persons current skill level, hence it is within their control, and the person is aware of this
(6) Autotelic (Self-Goals) Experience (Intrinsic Motivation, the process becomes its own reward)
(7) Transformation of Time (Which some report, make time seem to slow down during the task, but paradoxically seems fast once the task is over).
How Does it feel to be in Flow? (basically corresponds with the 7 characteristics of Flow):
1. Completely involved in the experience. Focus and concentration.
2. Sense of ecstasy. Greater than normal.
3. Inner clarity. Knowing what needs to be done and how to do it.
4. Sense of Control (we spoke of just above).
5. Sense of Serenity (loss of ego and evaluations)
6. Timelessness (Happens in a flash, things fly by).
7. Intrinsic Motivation (we spoke of before).
Warch FLOW in action next week: Jason McElwain and Michael Jordan
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, January 10, 2011
Mindset Monday 1/10/11- FLOW everytime you Perform
Some athletes call it “the Zone” others call it “Flow,” scholars call it “the Ideal Peak Performance State (IPPS).” The feeling that you cannot miss, where time and accuracy seem to be moving and acting at your command. All good athletes and performers know this feeling. When you compete, the idea is to be in this state as often as possible. My next few Mindset Mondays will explore the concept of Flow in greater depth and how to facilitate its occurrence. I do not think Flow is something you can force to happen, as ‘Trying’ seems counterproductive as you shall soon see.
Flow is an experience (not exclusive to sports) where a person is immersed in an activity and has their mind focused on the present moment while losing consciousness of ego, self-evaluations, and the audience and audience evaluations. Things seem to fall into place as the unconscious takes over and a self-transcendence is reached.
Many athletes call this experience being "In the Zone." They use the words in the Zone and Flow interchangeably. I do not believe that the Zone and Flow are one and the same. I can differentiate between the two.
I know I have been in the Zone every wrestling match in which I ever competed. But, it was only in rare occasions where I felt Flow. I believe the Zone may be a prerequisite for Flow. But, being in the Zone will not inevitably lead to Flow. There may be several steps necessary to achieving Flow.
I will differentiate between the two now. While in the Zone, one feels as though they are In the Moment. There is a Buddhist word for being in the Here and Now- Satori. I loved to compete because when I was on the mat, I was not thinking about my school work, girl problems, etc. I became focused on the present moment.
To me, being in the Present Moment, here and now, represents the Zone. I'm sure athletes share this common experience with me. This tunnel vision results from a moderate amount of arousal or anxiety. It can be harmful the tunnel vision becomes extreme. This will close your mind to creativity and fluidity, both necessary components of Flow. But in the Zone you can still be self-conscious and aware of other people's evaluations and expectations.
Flow is the Zone, plus the relative absence of self & others consciousness. You and the experience become one and the same. In a sense, you lose yourself. This principle is by no means new. Many cultures all over the world have known about this concept for thousands of years, not the least of which being the Eastern cultures and the principle of Zen.
As stated above, a major prerequisite of Flow is the loss of one's ego. Listen to how Dr. David Lieberman describes this IDEAL STATE as he calls it:
"Your ideal state of mind is to have no ego and this is achieved by focusing solely on your objective. This will allow you to be unconcerned with how you are coming across and help you avoid second-guessing yourself. If you are absorbed with your objective, the "I" or the ego disappears and you can pursue your goal relentlessly. Focus only on the outcome, not on yourself."
To be continued…
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/
Flow is an experience (not exclusive to sports) where a person is immersed in an activity and has their mind focused on the present moment while losing consciousness of ego, self-evaluations, and the audience and audience evaluations. Things seem to fall into place as the unconscious takes over and a self-transcendence is reached.
Many athletes call this experience being "In the Zone." They use the words in the Zone and Flow interchangeably. I do not believe that the Zone and Flow are one and the same. I can differentiate between the two.
I know I have been in the Zone every wrestling match in which I ever competed. But, it was only in rare occasions where I felt Flow. I believe the Zone may be a prerequisite for Flow. But, being in the Zone will not inevitably lead to Flow. There may be several steps necessary to achieving Flow.
I will differentiate between the two now. While in the Zone, one feels as though they are In the Moment. There is a Buddhist word for being in the Here and Now- Satori. I loved to compete because when I was on the mat, I was not thinking about my school work, girl problems, etc. I became focused on the present moment.
To me, being in the Present Moment, here and now, represents the Zone. I'm sure athletes share this common experience with me. This tunnel vision results from a moderate amount of arousal or anxiety. It can be harmful the tunnel vision becomes extreme. This will close your mind to creativity and fluidity, both necessary components of Flow. But in the Zone you can still be self-conscious and aware of other people's evaluations and expectations.
Flow is the Zone, plus the relative absence of self & others consciousness. You and the experience become one and the same. In a sense, you lose yourself. This principle is by no means new. Many cultures all over the world have known about this concept for thousands of years, not the least of which being the Eastern cultures and the principle of Zen.
As stated above, a major prerequisite of Flow is the loss of one's ego. Listen to how Dr. David Lieberman describes this IDEAL STATE as he calls it:
"Your ideal state of mind is to have no ego and this is achieved by focusing solely on your objective. This will allow you to be unconcerned with how you are coming across and help you avoid second-guessing yourself. If you are absorbed with your objective, the "I" or the ego disappears and you can pursue your goal relentlessly. Focus only on the outcome, not on yourself."
To be continued…
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, January 3, 2011
Mindset Monday 1/3/11- Resolve This for the New Year
Resolve This for the New Year-
Some of the greatest Peak Performance advice I ever heard was from the great Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz.
On the topic of Resilience he said:
“Life is not always as good as it seems, and its not always as bad as it seems, but somewhere between there reality falls.”
Resolve to Bounce back from mistakes and losses. Never Stay Down!
We cannot allow an opponent or circumstance to defeat us twice in a row.
Sometimes in life we will lose, but we should not allow that loss to affect our minds to the point that they hurt us again in the future. Think of an athlete or loses to a team that they “shouldn’t.” Now, I do not like even thinking in terms of “shoulds’ and expectations, but that’s a topic for another time. But after the team or athlete loses, they sometimes get down on themselves and wallow in self pity, leading to another loss to yet another inferior team. In essence, they let the first opponent beat them twice. We cannot allow this to happen.
We will be successful because we never had problems or obstacles, but because we solve them. And because there is no price we are not willing to pay to make sure we succeed.
“Remember the good Lord put eyes in the front of your head instead of the back so you can see where you are going, not where you’ve been.”
Imagine driving your car for any distance while starring through the rear view mirror. There is a reason why the windshield is 10x bigger than the rear-view mirror. Yes it is good to look back at the past from time to time. But we should spend the majority of our time focusing on the present and future.
Whatever life throws at you, you must bounce back.
In Rocky Balboa Stallone says, “it’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take.”
It’s your choice to stay down or to get up and fight another round. Put your gloves back on and get back in the ring!
Resolve to Never Stay Down!
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/
Some of the greatest Peak Performance advice I ever heard was from the great Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz.
On the topic of Resilience he said:
“Life is not always as good as it seems, and its not always as bad as it seems, but somewhere between there reality falls.”
Resolve to Bounce back from mistakes and losses. Never Stay Down!
We cannot allow an opponent or circumstance to defeat us twice in a row.
Sometimes in life we will lose, but we should not allow that loss to affect our minds to the point that they hurt us again in the future. Think of an athlete or loses to a team that they “shouldn’t.” Now, I do not like even thinking in terms of “shoulds’ and expectations, but that’s a topic for another time. But after the team or athlete loses, they sometimes get down on themselves and wallow in self pity, leading to another loss to yet another inferior team. In essence, they let the first opponent beat them twice. We cannot allow this to happen.
We will be successful because we never had problems or obstacles, but because we solve them. And because there is no price we are not willing to pay to make sure we succeed.
“Remember the good Lord put eyes in the front of your head instead of the back so you can see where you are going, not where you’ve been.”
Imagine driving your car for any distance while starring through the rear view mirror. There is a reason why the windshield is 10x bigger than the rear-view mirror. Yes it is good to look back at the past from time to time. But we should spend the majority of our time focusing on the present and future.
Whatever life throws at you, you must bounce back.
In Rocky Balboa Stallone says, “it’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take.”
It’s your choice to stay down or to get up and fight another round. Put your gloves back on and get back in the ring!
Resolve to Never Stay Down!
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/
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