# 33

"Excellence can be attained.....
If you care more than others think is wise
Risk more than others think is safe
Dream more than others think is practical
Expect more than others think is possible."
Be careful of what you expect, it just may come true.

Last night as we prepared to play the semi-final game of the 1-A Region in South Georgia, one of my players came up to me just before pre-game warm-ups and said, "Coach I never play well here." Well guess what, he had a very poor game. It is called a self-fulfilling prophecy. After the game, that young man and I talked about mental preparation and visualization. I took him through some simple visualization exercises that we do in our "Yes, I Can" Sports Camps. Here are a few for you to try:

• The lemon: Close your eyes. Don't move a muscle---everything is done in your minds eye. See yourself reaching into the refrigerator and taking out a lemon. Bring it to your nose. Smell the fruity, tart smell of the lemon. Take a knife and cut the lemon in half. Run your finger along the cut half of the lemon. Feel the moisture of the lemon. Take the lemon and shove it in your mouth. Bite down hard. Taste the sour tangy taste of the lemon. Swish it around in your mouth. Feel your mouth tingle. Open your eyes. Did your mouth water?
• Close your eyes. With your eyes closed, how many windows are in the front of your house? Could you see the front of your house?
• Think about a juicy steak. Think about an ice cream sundae. Don't think about a pink elephant. Did you see the steak? How about the ice cream? And, the pink elephant?

I suggested he spend time at home last night thinking about a recent game when he had played exceptionally well. Who were we playing? Where was the game? Where we in white or red? And, what did he do that made the game so special. Replay the video of that recent performance (in his minds eye) several times. Will it help his performance? We will know tonight.

How to Visualize

• Plan ahead what you are going to visualize.
• Believe that visualization will help you improve.
• Use all the senses.
• Be enthusiastic.
• Visualize everyday--best times are just before retiring for the night and when you first wake up.

When there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Success: A positive realization of a predetermined goal. You are not successful the day you realize your goal, but rather the day you set and move towards your goal. Success is a personal thing. What does it mean to you? It is wins, points scored, sales, deals closed? There are three things necessary to be successful:

1. Enthusiasm: The first step for success. "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson "Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power, and influence." Henry Chester
2. Commitment: You must believe in what you have to offer. "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." Vince Lombardi "There are only two options regarding commitment. You are either IN or you're OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between." Pat Riley
3. Positive Self-Image: Whether in sports, sales, or life, a positive self-image is essential to reaching the level of success that you desire. "Do not attempt to do something unless you are sure of yourself; but do not relinquish it simply because someone else is not sure of you." Stewart E. White "One important key to success is self-confidence. And, one important key to self-confidence is preparation." Arthur Ashe

As you watch the 2002 Winter Olympics listen to the interviews with the medalists. Time after time you will hear the champions speak about visualization, mental preparation, setting goals, commitment, and belief. Those are the marks of successful people. Tom

Contact Tom at: tomhughes@motivationNmore.com

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