DISCOMFORT, Mindfulness, Resilience: Your Toolkit For Thriving Under Pressure

The overall chances of a high school football player making it to the NFL are extremely low. Out of more than a million high school players, only about 0.023% eventually make it to the NFL.

So, essentially, it’s a miracle to make it to the NFL.

But even in the NFL, there are average players and elite players. During my time in the NFL, I learned that what separated the average player from the elite players was rarely physical attributes.

It was all between the ears. The best players aren't just the most physically fit players; they are the most mentally fit players.

Mental Fitness: The Secret to Thriving Under Pressure

Mental fitness is one the keys to unlocking peak performance and becoming a more adaptive human being. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a toolkit of strategies to help you harness the power of your mind and thrive under pressure.

Embrace Discomfort as a Catalyst for Growth

Many people believe that champions never experience uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. However, even the greatest performers, like six-time Olympic gold medalist, Sir Chris Hoy, have faced intense pressure and discomfort. When describing his first Olympic final, Hoy said it felt like he was "going to the gallows."

He said it felt like he was going to be executed!

Here’s the deal, if you are facing a situation where the outcome is important and uncertain, you should EXPECT to feel uncomfortable. But, your feelings do not have to determine your performance.

When you are in a stressful situation or rapidly changing environment, what you want is control — control of your attention. So that you make decisions anchored in your training and in your values.

This is where mental fitness matters the most.

By reframing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, you can stay focused on your goals and perform at your best, even in challenging situations.

Cultivate Mindfulness to Enhance Focus and Resilience

Dr. Peter Haberl, an AIM7 advisor and former Sr. Sports Psychologist for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, says, "Attention is the currency of performance." To be mentally fit, you need to be able to harness your attention.

Remember Sir Chris Hoy? When he felt nervous before a race, he would grip his steering wheel, feel his shoes in the clips, and focus on the start. He would shift his attention to tactile sensations and then focus on the first action he could take after the gun went off.

He was mindful of his emotions and then was able to take control of his attention to take action!

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for improving mental fitness. But most people get it all wrong. It's not about relaxation; it's about being fully present, aware of your thoughts and feelings, and directing your attention where you want it.

Research has shown that mindfulness can reduce anxiety, depression, and even the perception of pain. Mindfulness can improve your sleep, enhance your focus, and improve cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation.

By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can enhance your focus, resilience, and overall well-being.

Mindfulness can be practiced in various ways, but here are a few steps to get started:

• Set Aside Time: Dedicate a specific time each day for mindfulness practice, even if it's just a few minutes.

• Find a Quiet Space: Choose a calm and comfortable place where you won't be easily distracted.

• Focus on Your Breath: Pay attention to the sensation of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. Use your breath as an anchor to the present moment.

• Observe Without Judgment: Notice your thoughts and feelings without judging them. Simply acknowledge them and let them pass.

• Return to the Present: When your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath or the present moment.

• Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Try to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, whether through meditation, mindful walking, or other activities.

Build Emotional Resilience to Navigate Life's Challenges

Let's be honest for a moment. Life is hard! There's nothing easy about being human.

However, your perspective profoundly impacts your mental fitness and ability to thrive under difficult circumstances. Studies have found that people who are more emotionally reactive to daily stressors are more likely to experience chronic illnesses later in life.

Here are practical tips to be less emotionally reactive:

1. Acknowledge that daily stressors are a normal part of life. Just say what's bothering you and be open to what you are feeling.

2. Practice responding to challenges with a growth mindset. Try viewing the obstacle you are facing as a growth opportunity, or an opportunity for you to demonstrate your leadership capabilities.

3. Cultivate a support system of people who uplift and encourage you. You and I need to live in a community. Chronic isolation compromises your adaptive abilities and can lead to depression.

By developing emotional resilience, you can navigate life's ups and downs with more consistency and maintain your well-being in the face of adversity.

Unleash Your Full Potential with Mental Fitness

Mental fitness is the foundation of peak performance and adaptation. By embracing discomfort, harnessing your attention, cultivating mindfulness, and building emotional resilience, you can unleash your full potential and thrive under pressure.

Who Do You Know?

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Simple genius of David Ogilvy (link)

Here are a few finds for this week that parents are really going to find interesting:

Mental Fitness linked to better mental health in young people 🪷 (link)

Teens with later sleep schedules are less active, eat more carbohydrates 😴 (link)

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