The Most Important Mental Skill
7/27/2010
After a presentation a few weeks ago, I was asked, what is the most important mental skill? So, the title of this newsletter should actually be presented as a question because I need your input. I have suggested a few primers below.
Please post your thoughts on the blog www.drrobbell.com, and I will pick a winner at random for a free copy of Mental Toughness Training For Golf.
Confidence – (e.g., Trust) Nearly all athletes suggest that this is the most important mental skill, because it is a feeling that you can succeed. My mentor always asked “how would you play, if you couldn’t lose?” The feeling of knowing you can accomplish a task (i.e., hit a putt, shoot a free-throw, etc.) is definitely crucial, but is it the most important?
Motivation- (e.g., goals, drive, will, desire, passion, resiliency) The ability to first have a goal and withstand the inevitable hardship and pain that accompanies trying to reach that goal. For example, every goal of either losing 10 lbs or trying to win a championship requires the calling card of motivation.
Concentration- (e.g., focus) The skill of only focusing on what you’re trying to achieve. Concentration embodies staying in the moment, because it requires us not to think about the outcome while also being able to let go of mistakes in competition. It also contains the inner chatter (i.e., self-talk) that we all possess and the balance of focusing on the actual movement of the skill or just the target.
Imagery- (e.g., mental rehearsal) Imagery requires that we successfully mentally rehearse our movements, successes, and see ourselves reaching our goals. It requires that we incorporate all of our senses into we want to accomplish, where we want to be, and who we want to be with.
Faith- Is the most important mental skill a faith that our higher power will take care of our needs? Does having a faith in a deity remove the expectations and burdens, which in turn frees us up and allows us to perform well?
Is it something that I have not even posted, (e.g., relaxation, attitude, self-esteem). While each sport and athlete is different, can we even separate one of these skills from one another, or is it a combination?
