Ignite
new heights and achieve amazing results. skill by “seeing it” to believe it and make it

Some experts describe mental skills training happen. Many an athlete has seen themselves
as a way to add more tools to an individual’s reaching the summit or crossing that finish line
your inner
repertoire of skills. They build a mental toolkit — it helps combat pain, boredom, and fatigue.
that works for them during a whitewater slalom
champion
race, or the daily grind at the office. CREATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
There is no magic pill that makes happy people
SETTING GOALS happy. We are all ultimately responsible for the
use mental skills
Goal-setting is one of the first and foremost way we react to different circumstances and
training to get the most
skills that is essential in the mental training what we allow ourselves to think and feel.
toolkit. Goals are as important to human Maintaining a positive outlook isn’t just essential
out of life achievement as a map or a compass while for top performance, it makes for a happy and
traveling. How do you know where you’re going, fulfilling life. Maybe you’re just not a “glass half
BY SHAUNA TAYLOR or if you’ve arrived, unless you have a full” kind of person. That doesn’t mean you can’t
destination? tap into your inner positive side to achieve things
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANT Setting goals (whether it’s a small, daily goal you didn’t think possible.
Intrepid athletes and weekend warriors or a lofty dream goal) helps to increase The first step toward having a more positive
embrace the fall and winter. confidence, fuel a sense of achievement and attitude is becoming more aware of the kinds of
There is no “off season” for the high purpose, and help improve motivation. Have you things you say to yourself and others. Some high
performance athlete, or the high performance set some for yourself lately? Is today the day you performance athletes keep journals, tracking
human! Every experience in training, competition start? their feelings and thoughts. Others take time for
or leisure is an opportunity to learn and meditation and reflection, either during a
grow. rest period or on a long solo training run.
Do camaraderi, adrenaline and
“Victory always starts in the head. It’s a state of
Think about what might work for you.
adventure draw you in from the sidelines
mind. It then spreads with such radiance and such
Once you’ve identified the kinds of
and make you wish you were in on the
affirmations that destiny can do nothing but obey.”
messages you give yourself (known as
action? Or, as a participant, does the
Douchan Gersi
self talk), try changing those messages
dream of a personal best still elude to positive ones. This takes diligence and
you? a lot of maintenance, but with time, you
Perhaps this is the year that you decide to take FOCUS AND RE-FOCUS and everyone around you will reap the rewards.
your outdoor sports and personal challenges to Concentration skills are an obvious asset for — Shaunna Taylor is an avid runner, multi-sport
the next level. What has been stopping you? If the high performance achiever. Sometimes we athlete and weekend warrior. She is the sport
you look beyond some of the more obvious don’t appreciate their value until we realize we psychology consultant at the Ottawa High
hurdles — financial constraints, logistics, or are sorely lacking them. With self-awareness, Performance Centre. »U
physical fitness — you might find one that lurks dedication and concrete mental skills training,
a little deeper. Ask yourself if some of those such as simulation training, anyone can improve INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE
obstacles stem from limitations you’ve placed their focus and control for distractions. ABOUT MENTAL TRAINING?
upon yourself in your own mind. Maybe you could
• Contact a mental training consultant:
use a little mental training. IMAGERY OR VISUALIzATION SKILLS
Certified consultants are listed at www.
Ever seen yourself achieving something
coach.ca under Mental Training Registry.
WHAT IS MENTAL TRAINING? amazing? It looked and felt real…until you woke
Mental training sounds interesting, but what up. When we visualize we make our own dreams
• Buy a book: There are literally hundreds
can the average person apply to their everyday in the hope of fulfilling a destiny of our own
on the topic of mental training and sport
lives? More people are familiar with the field of design. You can also view imagery as a form of
psychology in human performance.
“sport psychology” where an athlete’s mental mental rehearsal or practice. • Do it yourself: Buy an empty journal and
skills are focused to produce optimal physical Athletes and other performers use this skill to
set some daily goals, as well as some
performance and personal achievement. boost confidence, refine physical skills and
longer term and dream goals to work
The field of mental training is vast, intriguing, maintain a positive attitude or outlook. The
towards.
dynamic and growing. From astronauts to medical community has been using it for years
• Enlist a buddy: Join a friend in making
marathon runners, and from heart surgeons to to help patients manage pain and promote
this your new beginning — pushing your
climbers with an eye on the summit, individuals healing. It can take you through the recovery mental and physical limits is easier with
use mental skills training to help them attain period of an injury, or acquaint you with a new
a confidante / training partner.
www.canadianultimate.com — Ultimate Canada Magazine 35
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