You’ve probably heard the importance of “getting your mind right” before training for a sport, but there can’t be any harm in letting it slide every once and a while right?

Not quite.

Your mindset can hurt or help you — here are just a few examples:
• It has the ability to either make or break you long term
• It will allow you to push harder and not quit
• It will give you endurance to sustain you.
• Your body gives up way before your mind does
• When your mind changes you change your results

Sports psychologists say that 90% of your performance is mental. With that being said, we believe that your mental preparation when training for a sport is of the utmost importance. Your mind is one of the most potent aspects of your being and will either be your greatest asset or your biggest setback. Your mentality makes up your beliefs about yourself –whether you’ll go the extra mile, be consistent with your diet, or quit when the going gets tough when training for a sport.

The Benefits
The benefits of sharpening your mentality for a sport are well documented. Studies show that when athletes practiced mindfulness before competitive situations, they showed greater adaption to stressful situations during their actual competitions. [1] Greater adaption to stress means being able to train harder, better, faster, stronger – cue in Kanye West.

There are psychological rigors that come with the territory when training for a sport or competition. Here are two easy, but powerful techniques to help increase your mentality within your sports training regimen to help maximize your performance.

Visualizations – See yourself on top and you’ll likely stay on top. Keep your mind focused on who you want to become and not on your shortcomings.

Affirmations – This is a great way to keep those visualizations alive. For example, instead of saying “I’m not strong enough” focus on who you want to become. For example say, “I AM strong.”

Exercising your mind, like the body, will give you amazing results. Strengthening the mind-body connection will give you a definite edge when training for any sport.

Written by Jorge Montano