Do You Think
Like a
Champ or a Chump
In my first “You’ve
Got Game” article (June 2007), I overviewed what Sports Psychology entails
and why it is critical to become mentally strong to perform well using your
physical talents. I also gave examples of how some athletes unfortunately
talk to themselves using what I call, Chump Thoughts while the wise athlete
learns to use powerful positive and practical self-talk language which I
call Champ Thoughts. The examples given in that article were for the mental
game concepts of Belief, Relaxation and Locking-on/Locking-Out (the ability
to focus). Contact “You’ve Got Game” to get your mitts on that article.
So how do you build
mental muscle? Start by asking yourself, “Do I talk to myself like a chump
or a champ?” To be truly successful, you must think and talk to yourself
like a champ day by day, situation by situation including when conditioning,
at practices and during game preparation.
Below are new examples
for three more of the concepts I teach. The Champ thoughts are specific
examples from players I’ve worked with one-on-one.
Concept
Forethought
Chump Thought
“Why think about tomorrow’s game. There is nothing I can do about it until
it happens.”
Champ Thought
“I excel at preparing my mind for games in powerful, positive and
practical ways.”
Tension Control
Chump Thought
“In tight situations everything comes apart at the seams for me.”
Champ Thought
“I enjoy consistently taking slow deep breaths in pressure packed
situations.”
Remember…”As
You Think; So You Play.”
MUCH SUCCESS IN YOUR
SPORTS, YOUR STUDIES
Jim
Meier
Jim Meier has coached,
trained and consulted with individuals and teams in quest for excellence
since 1976. His background includes extensive knowledge & experience in
psychology, philosophy and social development applied to sports. Working
with professional, college, high school and young players as well as
coaches, Jim assesses for mental game strengths, weaknesses and blind spots
& then transfers skills to that player or team. He has worked with
championship teams at the national, state and regional level.
