Why Mental Coaching?
If you want to succeed at something it takes hard work and commitment. That holds true whether you wish to succeed in an office, a classroom or an athletic arena. Success should be defined by reaching the point where you are consistently performing at your best. The way to get to that point is by making a commitment to be the best that you can be, following a comprehensive plan to meet that commitment, and finally, reaching your goal.
In athletics, the “ultimate” best is going to be different for every athlete. Every athlete is special. Every athlete has special gifts and talents that they have to offer. The job of the athlete, his or her coach, and his or her mental game coach, is to reach that “ultimate” best. The way to do that is to work on all aspects of your particular sport. However, one of the most important aspects, the mental aspect, is often neglected.
Young athletes are taught to take 100 swings a day to become a better hitter, shoot 100 free throws a day to become a better free throw shooter, or to run several miles a day to become a better runner. That is certainly great advice. Without doing those things, athletes will not develop and improve. However, it is only half of the process.
There are going to be times when the perfect swing you developed in the batting cage isn’t so perfect in the game. There are going to be times when the 90% free throw percentage you have in practice is less than 50% when the crowd is screaming, and the game is on the line. There are going to be times when that free and easy feeling you had running your practice miles changes to a stiff, tense feeling because you are in a race and a runner is about to pass you. These situations can be very disappointing and painful. However, all is not lost. The good news is that you can get over these mental roadblocks. With the help of good mental coaching, in time, you will be able to be at your best, when the situation is at its worst.