The first challenge you need to win before competing is: getting ready to be (and staying) competitive. Harnessing the power of the mind for an extra edge is huge in this regard. Luckily, switching on your brain for peak performance is both simple and enjoyable; it makes competing so much more fun, too!

The 5 steps below will help you train and master your own unique approach, mentality, and flow state for optimal competitive success. 

Step 1. Create a special, exclusive pre-performance routine. Do this routine ONLY before competing, no other time. This helps ease your brain out of work and personal life by giving it time to anticipate and visualize competition. Taking a warm shower while listening to music and stretching is an example of a simple pre-performance routine.

Step 2. Give yourself a final time to acknowledge any distracting work and daily life thoughts. Let them go by closing your eyes and taking deep breaths; peel back the layers in your mind with each deep breath until you feel receptive to your competitive intentions. 

Step 3. Solidify and then visualize a key performance sensation(s) (KPS) right before competing. Something you can deeply feel; preferably a peak sensation you have experienced before. The rush of speeding along in a race or the feeling of hitting the sweet spot of the bat are some examples of KPSs.  

Step 4. During competition, let your mind and body completely focus on what your training has designed it to. It may be helpful to summon up certain emotions and energetic states appropriate for the challenge. Powerlifters may want to feel a combination of short-term hype, and laser focus. But an ultra-endurance athlete may want to hold a calm, resilient mental energy for hours.

Step 5. When you feel yourself slipping, remember your KPS(s). When in doubt, don’t sweat it. Most athletes compete multiple times over a season, remember your mistakes with an unquenchable thirst for improvement. 

NOTE: 

A master will adapt both their KPSs and mental states/emotions at different points in the game/race to better suit themselves and the fluid nature of competition.

BONUS

Practice heart rate variability training for boosted competitive mental states! We recommend heart math.

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