The how-to guide for your mental game
I approached this game as a former athlete and as a current amateur wannabe triathlete. I was looking for something that helped me face the long months ahead of me and the book didn’t disappoint, or, at least, not at all.
This is a typical self-help book that could have been condensed into a way shorter version where the main message(s) is diluted into 250 pages that could have been easily 80.
The book remains nonetheless a relaxing and entertaining book, guiding through the psychological steps to achieve the so-called “peak performance”.
The book is divided into 10 chapters and every chapter provides a somehow similar piece of advice for preparing for whichever adversity life puts forward, be it a competition, an exam, or simply a personal grind.
Main Takeaways
The main takeaways of the book are:
- Goal Setting
- Mental Imagery: visualize in your mind yourself performing
- Self-talk: positively and effectively talk to yourself
- Confidence: assume an “I can do it” attitude
- Focus: stay in the moment, not on later, not on the past. Do your best in the moment.
- Breath Control
- Mental Toughness: especially in adversity remember to not skip the difficult choices
- Anxiety Management: stress and anxiety are not negative, they’re the feelings that help you perform and tell you that what you’re doing is important
- Enjoyment: remember to have fun while you train
- Body Language: you’re carrying with you the future champion
- Intensity: face every situation with the right body energy
- Personal Affirmation: repeat your motivational routine speech
authors: Erik Pillon, the52ndbook@gmail.com