Mindset

Jonny Wilkinson is perhaps the most dedicated player to take to the rugby field and one of the most successful goal kickers in international rugby. But he did have a coach!

During much of his career his kicking coach was Dave Alred. In his book, ‘The Pressure Principle’, Dave Alred writes about his work with the mindset that is developed by elite performers, many of which apply to everyone.

Much of his focus is upon language.

‘Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind’. Kipling

So much of our self-talk can be negative. Thoughts turn to why we can’t do something. These are rooted in fear. Fear of failure, fear of letting people down, fear of getting it wrong.

We need to turn these thoughts into the positive.

We need to focus on the ‘how to..’

Watch out for using words like ‘always’ and ‘never’. These are rarely accurate. ‘It always happens to me!’ Does it really?

An interesting question is should language not be positive or negative but instead be productive. Does it help?

That is why self-talk is so important. Do you have mantras that you can recite to remind you of what is important? Gordon Ramsey used to say in his restaurants, ‘Last meal as good a first meal’. He was intent on making sure the last customer of the evening got a meal as good as the first customer. It was standard to live up to. An affirmation.

What are your daily affirmations?