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The two main distractions
As you invest the time to learn how to focus under pressure, then you’ll begin to realize that annoying distractions lose their power over you.
Now there are two different types of distractions that exist. The external ones include weather, the crowd and the competition. Then the internal ones are your responses like self-talk and the thoughts that grab your attention. Either one can lead to self criticism, disrupt your focus, or discouragement. Sound familiar? I’m telling you that it’s possible to train your focus.
The source of your distraction
When you deal with the primary distraction, then the others fade away. Between external and internal distractions, it’s the internal ones that you want to conquer.
Too many athletes believe that you must control your thoughts. And that works to a degree, but it’s not the most effective approach. The more you try to force, or control something, the more you’re actually paying attention to that intrusive thought. The best approach that I teach my clients is to acknowledge the thought and then let it go. It’s possible for you to do that too, but it requires practice.
Top 7 distractions
So here are the top distractions that athletes face:
• Critic. Are you familiar with mind wars? This is when you’re battling your inner critic. You feed those unwanted, intrusive thoughts with your attention. Fighting off the negativity wears you down.
Mindset Strategy: Similar to meditation you want to learn how to acknowledge the thought and then let it go.
• Clock. When time becomes your enemy then it’s an uphill battle. Trying to control something that’s out of your control is wasted energy.
Mindset Strategy: The best way to beat the clock is to focus on the two things that are in your control, your attitude and your actions.
• Connection. Experience can be your friend or your foe. When it’s connected to avoiding problems then it keeps you tuned into the negative. Too often this leads to doubt, or playing it safe, to avoid that problem.
Mindset Strategy: Instead of dwelling on what you’re trying to avoid, focus your attention on what you want to achieve.
• Confidence. We’ve all seen athletes who believed they were untouchable. Big egos cover up low confidence. Athletes who believe that they’re “above it all” eventually make critical mistakes.
Mindset Strategy: Acknowledge your achievements without boasting then move onto the next milestone.
• Compulsion. Your sport just like alcohol or drugs can lead to addiction. Here’s how to tell if you have an addiction: You feel great when you’re involved in your sport, or whatever it is that you’re addicted to. The downside is that it causes problems in other areas in your life.
Mindset Strategy: If you ever feel like you’re experiencing withdrawals i.e. impatience, irritable behavior, or difficulty concentrating, when you miss that activity then contact me for help.
• Count. The score may seem like it’s within your control, but that’s an illusion. Don’t fall into the trap of believing you control your score.
Mindset Strategy: This strategy is the same as the one for beating the clock. Keep focused on your actions and your attitude. That’s how to improve your score.
• Checking out. It’s easy to only practice the fun things that you do well. The boring drills need your attention too if you’re seeking to move up in rankings.
Mindset Strategy: The best athletes know that high quality practice makes them better. Train your focus as you’re working on your drills. You’ll see more gains when you’re checked in than if you’re checked out.
It’s easy to fall prey to distractions. We’re in a culture that thrives off of short attention spans. Begin to train your brain. As you pay attention to what you’re doing when you’re training you’ll notice improvement with your performance.
