Mental Moment-My Version of Eat, Pray, Love
There are days when I am not sure it’s possible to come up with another blog but somehow I do it! Today I am going to talk about my version of elite performers eat, pray, love.
Awareness
One of the most important thing for elite performers is to not get caught up in the brain going crazy, reeling out of control with negative thoughts and losing focus. This is of detriment to all that you are trying to accomplish.
You can’t make change without awareness around what needs to change. For example, if you are painting and every time you get to the face of your portrait you start thinking to yourself that there is no way you’ll ever get the face to come out the way you want it, what follows is exactly that. Are you aware that you are saying this to yourself?
There are many ways to develop awareness but here are a couple of them:
- Take one timeout every 60 minutes of painting, sports, writing, playing music and check in with what has just happened over that 60 minute period of time; mind and body.
- All of the above but rather than just thinking about it write in a free association form whatever comes to mind.
- After a session of painting, sports, writing, playing music sit and write the thoughts you can remember, the emotions, and the sensations in your body.
These are all similar but different. Choose one that you think might work for you, try it and see what unfolds.
Breathe, neutral/positive word, refocus
With that awareness you want to go into your next session with some of this information. It’s kinda like you are looking for it, hoping it doesn’t happen; which is why it’s good to utilize this during moments of practice. The next step in the process is to figure out what to do with this should it happen again: you are painting and every time you get to the face of your portrait you start thinking to yourself that there is no way you’ll ever get the face to come out the way you want it.
What neutral or positive word(s) energizes you or might help push you through moments of doubt, worry, or lack of confidence? In our example the phrase we want to change is: there is no way. How about: focus on each brush stroke; I have done it; I can do it; there is a way. Just having the ability to change a word or phrase from negative into something that is more neutral or positive helps move you in the direction of being able to do.
Once you notice the negative word or phrase take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, switch the thinking to your new word or words and refocus back on your painting (sports, writing, playing music). Refocus your energy where it needs to be in that moment.
Happy Thursday!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: univisions.wordpress.com
