It is indeed a master skill to switch mindset and shut out negative distractions, a skill not only held by athletes but a fundamental quality of leadership.
Dara Torres proved that it's not just the Olympic Gold medal that's important. Having lost the Gold by one one-hundredths of a second, the 41 year old swimmer said "There was nothing I would change. I did my best. I set a new record for myself." She also credited her coaches with helping her regain her focus for the next event, the team relay.
The participants of the Olympics and their stories were all compelling. Such dedication.
Like so much in life, excelling in sports is often much more about mental game than physical game. If brains didn't matter, John Daly would be one of the most legendary golfers in the world!
Just goes to show that the right attitude goes a very long way.
Jeff
· 1 year ago
I still feel that Olympic games are more and more about business and politics and less and less about sport :-(
Watzzupsport
· 1 year ago
The following words you wrote.....
"The importance of mental attitude in all sports, and so many other aspects of life, has been known for years."
are such a truth, to be able to understand and be aware in our own lives what thought processes dictate our actions is a secret to peaceful successful living.
You also make comment
" Whilst scientific developments enable athletes to go faster and perform physically better, the use of social sciences such as psychology and psychiatry seem hit and miss"
This is where the mindset of our culture which is set on, be good and you will get, or measurement of success through achievement , sets up the most prominent cause of pain ie guilt.
Whereas in sport there is a competition winner when we try to put life and outcomes we experience into a.. win, loose... achieve, fail... context, we miss the opportunity to understand the concept, that life unfolds as it is meant to and all events are part of the fabric of existence that we share with every other person on this planet.
If we manage to change the... what we can get... to ...what we can give.... and gain the understanding that all events in our lives are a learning both to our selves and others we might make some progress
David
· 1 year ago
Thanks all for comments - there is a consensus that mental attitude is important in sport. My point is why do so many, like John Daly or Asafah Powell, get this bit wrong. So much time, and money, is spent on getting the physical and skill side right yet some miss the mental side.
I agree, the olympics are very inspiring - Its hard not to want to go out and run 10 miles after watching someone breaking the world record. Even though I kmow I'll never reach that level of intensity (who has time to train 8 hours a day with school and work?) but its nice to see that its possible.
All Comments
I agree with you on the mental attitude required for sports. The British Cycling team were fantastic and they deserved their gold medals.
Great Site!
Henry
Fellow STC
MyRoyalWay.com
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Dara Torres proved that it's not just the Olympic Gold medal that's important. Having lost the Gold by one one-hundredths of a second, the 41 year old swimmer said "There was nothing I would change. I did my best. I set a new record for myself." She also credited her coaches with helping her regain her focus for the next event, the team relay.
The participants of the Olympics and their stories were all compelling. Such dedication.
Thanks for a great post.
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It's about determination, dedication and strong mental attitude.
These competitors have gone beyond what most people will ever achieve in their lifetime.
I do believe that a lot of people get incredibly motivated by the Olympics, but few take that feeling any further.
Thanks for this post!
Miss Gisele B.
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"The importance of mental attitude in all sports, and so many other aspects of life, has been known for years."
are such a truth, to be able to understand and be aware in our own lives what thought processes dictate our actions is a secret to peaceful successful living.
You also make comment
" Whilst scientific developments enable athletes to go faster and perform physically better, the use of social sciences such as psychology and psychiatry seem hit and miss"
This is where the mindset of our culture which is set on, be good and you will get, or measurement of success through achievement , sets up the most prominent cause of pain ie guilt.
Whereas in sport there is a competition winner when we try to put life and outcomes we experience into a.. win, loose... achieve, fail... context, we miss the opportunity to understand the concept, that life unfolds as it is meant to and all events are part of the fabric of existence that we share with every other person on this planet.
If we manage to change the... what we can get... to ...what we can give.... and gain the understanding that all events in our lives are a learning both to our selves and others we might make some progress
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You need to race against the best, or the clock, to win.