Winners Edge Issue 1 | Page 6

Steps to Better Mental Performance

Here are six steps to better mental performance . You can use these steps as part of your normal training routine .

Set a time each day , usually when you you are about to get up out of bed , and / or just before you go to sleep at night . Be just as strict with your mental training as you are with your riding and watch your results skyrocket !

1- Set specific training and competition goals . To do this , use a 3x5 index card and write down five training objectives that you would like to reach .

Then put a date next to each one . List them in order of importance .

2 - Accept 100 % responsibility for your actions and attitudes . Know that you are where you are and what you are because of you .

3 - Improve upon your basic skills — Practice , practice , and practice . Focus on correct form , practice and performing the ‘ basics ’ that will lead you to better results .

4 - Use mental affirmations . A singular , positive , present tense statement that is stated with emotion .

Example : “ I totally enjoy setting and reaching my training goals !”

5 - Get another 3x5 card and write down five affirmations for your highest priority goal . Remember that the affirmations must be a single statement , stated in the present tense , and must be in the positive .

6 - Use mental visualizations . Create a mental movie in your mind of yourself achieving your goals ( exactly to the detail ). Imagine the feelings that are created when you have achieved your goal .

Your mind responds best to details , rather than muddy generalities , so be sure to focus on the details .

If you can do all these things each day , you ’ ll be surprised at the differences you ’ ll see in a month !

Don ’ t wait - don ’ t delay ! If you get started today - you ’ ll be one day closer to accomplishing your hopes and dreams .

What are you thinking about before you go into the arena ?

Tony Robbins , the great motivator , recommends a mental chant , repeated over and over – repeat it in cadence with your steps as you walk or as you walk your horse around – either out loud or in

What Makes You a Winner ?

What makes you a winner ?

Most of the time when I ask this question , the immediate answer is “ Winning ! That ’ s what makes you a winner .”

Then I can ask , “ If winning makes you a winner , then losing makes you a loser , right ?” The response is usually a wary . “ Yes ”. When I hear that , I carry it a little farther . So , “ The more you win , the bigger winner you are ?” Is that right ? “ Oh , yes .” “ So , the more you lose , the bigger loser you are ?” “ I suppose .” No ! It ’ s time for a change in thinking ! I know someone who has lost an incredible number of times . She ’ s probably been defeated at more events than most people will ever enter .

It would seem that she ’ s a pretty big loser - if you use the earlier definition .

But she ’ s also a many-time champion and one of the most famous competitors , ever , in her event .

You see , winning doesn ’ t make you a winner and losing doesn ’ t make you a loser .

Winners lose sometimes . They just don ’ t get defeated by it .

They profit from the experience by analyzing what went wrong . “ Where can I improve next time ? Where can I be stronger ?” Then they put it away . They know that getting past a loss is a champion ’ s skill .

Defeat is not what keeps people from becoming winners . Failing to deal properly with defeat is .

One of the biggest sports winners in history said it this way :

I ’ ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career . I ’ ve lost almost 300 games . 26 times , I ’ ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed . I ’ ve failed over and over and over again in my life . And that is why I succeed That was superstar Michael Jordan ’ s perspective . He never let failing or losing make him feel anything less than successful . You shouldn ’ t either .

-Cheryl Cody

The Ideal Barrel Racing Parent

It is easier to be an ideal parent than a nightmare . Here is a simple list of activities and attributes of the ideal barrel racing Mom or Dad !

• Cheer for everybody at the barrel race , not just your child : Parents should be at the barrel race and be supportive , yet allow young riders to find their own solutions . Don ’ t feel the need to come to their rescue at every crisis . Continue to make positive comments even when he or she is struggling .

• Exhibit appropriate behavior : Remember that your kids do as you do , not as you say . When a parent projects poise , control and confidence , the young athlete is likely to do the same . And when a parent doesn ’ t dwell on a tough loss , the young rider will be enormously

Mantra Magic your head .

As your horse walks ( or trots or lopes ) around , you might be thinking in time with the beat of his steps . “ Every day and every way I ’ m becoming a better barrel racer . Every day and every way I ’ m becoming a better barrel racer .” appreciative and will learn to deal with the outcome - whether positive or negative - in a positive manner .

• Know your role : Everyone at a event is either an entry , a parent , a trainer , an official or a spectator . People behaving poorly cannot hide . Here ’ s a clue : If your child seems embarrassed by you , clean up your act .

• Be a good listener and a great encourager : When your child is ready to talk about his or her run or has a question , be all ears . Then provide answers while being mindful of avoiding becoming a nightmare sports parent . Above all , be positive . Be your child ’ s biggest fan .

And , of course , never be sparing with those magic words : “ I love watching you run barrels .”

Maybe if you haven ’ t been pushing fast enough or if you a little intimidated by the speed , “ I want to go fast , I want to go fast .”

It ’ s whatever you need to hear , over and over . “ I am brave ; I will make my best run . I am brave ; I will make my best run .”