Mental Training Vs. Mental Toughness

By: “Dr Steve” @SportsShrink

The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.
– Muhammad Ali

The best are both Mentally Trained and Mentally Tough!

Mental Training is the most important training…

Why?

Because every aspect of sports is mental, including the conditioning, practicing, pre-competition, competition, and post-competition.

Whether you know it or not, you are engaged in mental training 24hours a day.
You can mentally train at any time, no matter if you are injured or sick.

Everyone Mental Trains all the time…

Why?

Because whether you are aware of it or not your mind is at work 24hours a day.

Because whether you are good at it or not your mind is at work 24hours a day.

If you think (positive or negative) you are mentally training. That is, you are conditioning your mind for the best or worst.
If you set goals, then you are mentally training.
If you visualize, imagine or “see” in your mind yourself performing, you are mentally training.
If you pay attention and concentrate during practice and during the competition, you are mentally training.
If you have certain things (rituals and routines) you do at home, before practice, in the gym, before and during competitions, you are mentally training.
If you breathe, you are mentally training.

All these activities mentioned above are skills and all skilled can be improved.

The problem is that most people are not self-aware and do not realize what they are doing most of the time.

Most people including athletes are NON-mindful

The Best are Mindful

True Mental Training involves…

Becoming Self-Aware ~ aka STOP being in DENIAL and realize that you are mentally training your mind all day and night (while you sleep) for better or for worse.
Start improving these mental skills by addressing mental training to enhance your performance.
Master these skills and become more successful in your life.

Mental training is not…

Tony Robbins ~ It is not about believing in yourself and self-help.

Although it may include this type of mental conditioning or cognitive restructuring as needed.

Why?

Your typical professional top-level athlete does not need a self-esteem boost, except on those occasions where someone suffered a significant trauma, loss or defeat. Then confidence building, reducing distractions, doubts and negative thoughts may become a part of the training.

Mental Training is not the same as Mental Toughness!

Why?

1. You can be a Zen master but NOT mentally tough. You can meditate all day long, and this does not mean you will fight your heart out in a cage, eat punches, get knocked down and get back up over and over.

2. You can be mentally tough and have mental weakness like poor concentration, easily distracted, lacking goals, poor visualization abilities, etc.