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.”