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Mental T oughness for OutrageousAchievement A 6-Step Guide to Achieving Your Absolute, Personal Best in Business, Performing and Life! Nick Lazaris, Psy.D. FearlessforLife.com 1
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Introduction ! I am so pleased that you have decided to take charge of your life and develop the ‘Mental T oughness’necessary to achieve your dreams and goals. Whether you desire to perform on a higher level in your business, in an athletic pursuit, as a performing artist or at school, the principles I will be sharing in the next pages will, when applied, take you from mediocrity to peak performance. Information without action, however, will not lead to change. T aking action on the information I am about to share will enable you to perform at your best, without the fear and anxiety that often derails those with great potential. The following is a great quote that illustrates this is principle: 2 2
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement “The mind is not a storehouse to be filled, but an instrument to be used.” ~ John Gardner 3 3
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement By turning the information you discover in this book into specific action steps, you will achieve the following goal of becoming mentally tough in pursuing the things that truly matter in your life: Definition of Mental Toughness: “Performing at or near your personal best, consistently, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself surrounded by” 4 4
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Let’s take a closer look at this definition. First, I have discovered, as a Performance Psychologist and Coach, that most of people I coach achieve a small percentage of the potential within them. They rarely perform anywhere near their personal best. I am not talking about in comparison to how others perform, but rather in relation to what they are capable of. In addition, many achieve optimal performance occasionally and ‘hope’they can reach that level of performance again someday. I believe it is possible to become consistent with your performance and know what you need to do to reach that consistency. Finally, it is easy to blame circumstances,or external variables, on why we do or do not achieve more consistent performance levels. It is possible, by following and applying the principles in this book, to achieve your best as a result of taking charge of the internal factors that can become fully under your control. It is this kind of focus that will allow you to move towards the next level of performancethat you desire. 5 5
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Obstacles to Achieving Performance Success ! Let’s take a look at the roadblocks, or obstacles, that get in the way of experiencing our best in a performance situation. Fear - Do you ever hear yourself saying, prior to or during a performance situation, “What if…?” The fear of the unknown or the possibility of blowing it and looking foolish can create an ever growing cascade of fear that can sabotage your chances for success. Self-doubt – The belief that “I am not enough” can trigger a crisis in confidence large enough to cause us to avoid going for our best, as we tell ourselves we aren’t capable of accomplishing it. Inability to concentrate –Anxiety, fear and stress shut down our ability to focus, remember and concentrate – all critical abilities to perform optimally. 6 6
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Obstacles to Achieving Performance Success ! Low motivation – Obviously, if you are afraid to risk out of fear of performing poorly or being rejected, then your motivation level will become less and less, until you tell yourself, “It’s really not worth it.” Excessive nervous (anxious) energy –Anxiety, when under your control, can lead to optimal performance - excessive and out of control anxiety will always shut down the mind and body’s ability to be take charge and perform in a focused way. Inability to recover from a mistake – Y ou WILLblow it, but that will never defeat you – you can only be defeated if you cannot ‘regroup’and recover in a way that gets you fully back on track. 7 7
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Obstacles to Achieving Performance Success ! Desire for perfection – Y our insecurities and lack of self-confidencelead to the unattainable belief that somehow you can do things perfectly, without mistakes or failures. T alk about unfair pressure that you put on yourself! Lack of specific goals – ‘Hoping’you will get somewhere, achieve some vague idea of success or end up with a feeling of self-respect is doomed to fail as a performance principle – only those with a vision, a performance goal and a specific set of action steps to get there will achieve the satisfaction of optimal performance. T ake another look at the above list of obstacles, identify which ones interfere with you achieving your performance goals and make a commitment right now to overcoming them. 8 8
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Definition of Performance Anxiety ! We have seen the many obstacles to performing at our best, so now we will take a closer look at the concept of anxiety and how it develops in performance situations. Performance anxiety, by definition, is: Definition “The experience of a sense of dread, accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety and distress, when anticipating having to perform, preparing to perform or in the midst of an actual performance” 9 9
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Performance anxiety does not usually begin just moments prior to a performance. Whether you have been told you have a presentation to give in 2 weeks, a recital in a month or an important audition or interview in a week, the anticipation of performing begins much earlier than the actual day you perform. Being able to take charge of the anxiety prior to, as well as during practice and, finally, during the actual performance is critical to your actually success. T o understand how anxiety develops, both from the mental side as a well as the physical, it is helpful to review the role that stress plays, both in terms of what we anticipate will happen as well as the stress that occurs during an actual performance itself. The Peak Performance Stress Model allows us to gain a clear understanding of how the mind and body interact to either create debilitating anxiety and poor performance or the opposite – focused and in control performing. 10 10
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement The Peak Performance Stress Model ! When you are under stress, there are several things can affect your performance.This is true whether the stress is perceived (imagined) or is in fact real. These are under the categories of Mental or Physical Effects. Mental Effects include: - self-doubts - - a loss of focus negative self-talk - - - an inability to concentrate self-criticism beating oneself up with the ‘shoulds’and ‘what ifs …? 11 11
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement How the Mind Works - Left Brain vs. Right Brain ! Left Brain Processing Where we think in words and numbers Running commentary Analytical, technical, judgmental Useful in learning specific, new techniques T alks continually, is literal Black or white, yes or no Linear thought, straight lines Beta states of mind Fast brain waves 12 12
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement The results of Left Brain Processing are: The more stress there is = faster left brain activity Lots of “voices” in your head (ex. “Y ou can’t do that”) Less dealing with reality of the moment, more on “What if….?” Less focus, more confusion, less concentration Less being in ‘the moment’, less presence or centering Too much thinking = sub-optimal performance As you can see, under real or self-induced stress and anxiety, the left brain activity becomes faster, with more and more words or ‘chatter’, and the greater likelihood that too much thinking will lead to a loss of the potential for optimal performance. 13 13
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Right Brain Processing Sounds, images, feelings (tactile) Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic Creative, artistic, imagination Alpha & Theta states of mind (slow, quiet state of concentration) The results of Right Brain Processing are: Focused in the Now ‘Reality’ Optimal & Peak Performance Flow, Power ‘Mental Quiet’ 14 14
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Right brain activity, then, results in a slower, more quiet and focused level of activity. Y ou hear less and less words (which have typically been negative or stress-inducing)allowing the mind and body the opportunity to perform without interference. Y oga Berra, the famous baseball great, once said to his players, “You can’t hit and think at the same time” His point was that to perform at your best, whether that is hitting a baseball, making a business presentation or performing a musical number, you must ‘turn off’the thinking that gets in the way of performing. 15 15
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement The left brain continually talks and we keep buying into it! We are constantly thinking and it affects confidence, self-image, and how you feel about yourself. The increasing speed of your thoughts, whether it is the running commentary of past or future thoughts or self- criticism, leads to less and less focus on the performance itself. No matter how much you have practiced or rehearsed, because of the ‘noise’in your head, performance suffers. We get caught up in the left brain, outside of the ‘quiet zone!! 16 16
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement The KEY anxiety, is developing the ability to switch from Left to Right Brain activity. The critical process for performing at your absolute best, without crippling Y ou will discover, throughout the pages of this book, the skills necessary to make this crucial switch from having an unfocused state to being someone who knows what they want, are committed to success and who has the ability to perform on a level you never thought possible. So, let’s take a look at the 6 Factors necessary for you to achieve your goals through the development of Mental T oughness! 17 17
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 1 1 - - Determination Determination Determination is that inner drive or commitment necessary to performance success. It is the mind-set (the strength and power) of your intent to make things happen. “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence- that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” ~ MarioAndretti 18 18
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Afoundationalstep in achieving your goals is to determine how important it is to you to excel in your business, at school, or as a performing artist? The Key Question: “Do you expect excellence and have a burning desire to attain it?” “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to EXCELLENCE, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” ~ Vince Lombardi 19 19
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement How important is it toAchieve Your Best in Your Performance? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The most important Not very thing in my life important As your commitment score decreases your performance level decreases proportionally. 20 20
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement What matters to you, what creates the passion that is foundational to a commitment to your dreams and goals?Achieving a high level of performance is not an easy road – it is based on a true commitment to overcoming obstacles and taking charge of your performance.Think about your area of performance.What do you desire? Do you desire … … to achieve your personal best? … to excel? … to attain a high standard in your area of performance? 21 21
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 2 2 - - Focused Focused Goals Goals In addition to having a determined commitment to make things happen, possessing a clear intent through focused goals to achieve your best is also necessary.Although most are aware of the importance of goal-setting to achieve success, very few actually apply the principles in a way that propels them to achievement. I have discovered that this is true whether it is short term practice goals or long term dreams that are desired. Tying your goals toACTION is the key here.As Joe Charbonneau, a professional speaker colleague of mine, once said, “Your every action is either an anchor on your tail or it’s the wind in your sails.” 22 22
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement In other words, are the people I surround myself with, the time I invest in preparation, the fears I give in to or the level commitment I display taking me towards my goals/dreams or are they holding me back from what I am capable of? T ake some time to examine your attitude, use of time and the people in your life to see if changes need to be made to better support you towards what you want to accomplish. Let us now turn our attention to the 4 critical goal-setting principles necessary to achieve Mental T oughness. 23 23
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement 4 Goal-Setting Principles: 1) Create a Dream List What do you want to achieve? Let yourself thinkBIG! Remember that creating a Dream List allows you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your thinking. It is also the perfect time to tell those discouraging ‘voices’in your head to take a hike, to ‘shut up’! Nothing will kill your dreams faster than a tiny whisper that says, “Who do you think you are. Y ou will never achieve that level of success or performance.” 24 24
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement 2) Write Down Your Goals - Be specific - Set realistic goals - Set challenging goals (remember to stretch yourself!) - Make them measurable (must be able to measure progress) - What are the benefits to you if you achieve your goal? 3) Develop a Plan of action Achieving mental toughness is a function of having a clear intent and focused goals, whether they are short-term practice goals or long-term dreams. - Set a target date for attaining your goals - Identify the obstacles you need to overcome - Break your plan of action down to achievable steps 25 25
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Process vs. Outcome Goals Outcome Goals = What are the results you intend to achieve? Process Goals = What do you need to be doing to achieve your outcome goals Practice Goals = What do you need to practice this week, in the next 5 minutes to achieve my process goals 4) Share Your Vision/Goals - The more you share your goals, the more clear they become - Surround yourself with support (“I care about you too much to let you get away with excuses!”) Commit to a Focused Plan ofAction in Your Life 26 26
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 3 3 - - A A Confident Confident Perspective Perspective The Good News is ... it’s all in your head The Bad News is … it’s all in your head! Perspective is your frame of reference, how you see things. The greatest barriers in our pursuit of excellence in any area of our lives are psychological barriers. Perspective includes how we talk to ourselves, what we expect, and what we mentally ‘see’. “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright 27 27
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Practice Positive Self-Talk What do you say to yourself under pressure? Whatever negative and critical words come from the ‘left brain’, or visual images from the ‘right brain’, all settle in the subconscious which doesn’t know if true or not (it can’t distinguish what is real from what you imagine or are afraid of). In other words, the left brain talks and the subconscious then follows through.The right brain pictures the performance (positive or negative) and your subconscious mind takes action, or executes your vision. In order to change how you talk to yourself: 1) Monitor your self-talk – create awareness of how you talk to yourself under pressure or performance situations. Listen for the critical inner voice that can sabotage your success or create increased anxiety. 28 28
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement 2) Practice ‘thought-stopping’–As soon as you hear the critical voice, literally tell it to “Stop!” Do no let negative thinking take root and interfere with achieving your best. Stopping negative thoughts (which always create ‘noise’from the left brain) allows a new neural ‘pathway’to replace the self-defeating, negative pathways that lead to self doubt. 3) Rewrite your internal dialogue – Listen very carefully, as you either prepare to perform or during a performance situation, for the words “What if”. It has been my experience that these two simple words have the greatest potential to trigger the anxiety and fear that can massively undermine our chances for performance success. The left brain says “What if” and the physical self immediately reacts in preparation of the coming danger. For example, “What if I blank out during the exam?” “What if they laugh at me during my presentation?” “What if hit the golf ball in the water?” 29 29
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement ! What blow if I it? As soon as you hear that critical voice in your head say “What if” then immediately tell yourself “So what!!” This does not mean you don’t care. It simply, yet powerfully, means you are not allowing yourself to sabotage your performance with negative thoughts. For example: “So what … I am ready to go for it.” “So what … It’s going to go well.” “So what … I’m going to remember what I need to.” “So what … I feel energized.” “So what … I’m ready to do my best.” “So what … I know how to relax and focus myself.” “So what … It’s time to be courageous.” 30 30
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Positive Expectancy What you expect as you perform is another key to achieving mental toughness. In fact, most often your expectations will shape reality. What you ‘see’in your mind’s eye prior to and during a performance situation will, throughout the days and over weeks, tend to become who you are. Do you ‘see’yourself failing an exam, do you ‘see’yourself forgetting your lines during the audition, do you ‘see’yourself being rejected in a sales situation? Practice positive expectancy. Become aware of what you expect out of yourself. “Consciously or unconsciously, you always get what you expect. ~ RobertAnthony 31 31
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Mental Rehearsal One of the best techniques to use in preparing for Peak Performance is mental rehearsal. If you cannot imagine performing well, you have very little chance of actually doing that, especially during a pressure situation. Mental toughness includes practicing the technique of mental rehearsal to achieve your best. Using giving a presentation as an example, the keys steps to practicing mental rehearsal are: 1) Start with a clear intention. What is it that you intend to achieve in your performance?For example, is your intention to give your speech in a relaxed way, feeling in complete control of yourself? 2) Center yourself physically and mentally. T ake a slow, deep focused breath to slow down any anxiety or stress during your mental rehearsal. 32 32
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Mental Rehearsal (cont.) 3) Imagine what your intention would look like. Try to see, feel, and hear yourself doing well as you give a powerful and effective presentation. 4) Use all of your senses. Picture yourself walking up to speak, feel your hands on the podium, hear yourself as your words come out smoothly and effortlessly, listen to the audience applauding your speech, feel how great it feels to walk off knowing you did a great job! 5) Correct your mistakes.Y ou will discover that even during mental rehearsal you will find yourself visualizing making a mistake or becoming afraid. Correct your mistake until you can clearly see yourself doing well! 33 33
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Mental Rehearsal (cont.) 6) Be creative and have fun! Practice mental rehearsal and make it a valuable skill in you mental toughness ‘toolbox’. Y our real-life performance will continue to improve the more that you can ‘experience’(see, hear and feel) the performancein your rehearsal! 34 34
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 4 4 - - Stress/Anxiety Stress/Anxiety Control Control Focused, abdominal breathing is one of the most important tools you can use to control stress and anxiety. Abdominal breathing, when learned and applied, can help you maintain a relaxed state in your mind and body and allow you to function at a stress free level. Fast, shallow chest breathing is not only a reaction to stress, but it also creates stress.The good news is that it is practically impossible to feel tense when practicing abdominal breathing! Conversely, it is very difficult to feel relaxed when you breathe in a shallow way. When you learn and practice focused, abdominal breathing, on a regular basis, it becomes a major tool to help you control stress and overcome performance anxiety. 35 35
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Let’s take a look at how to actually practice the Focused Relaxation Breath: a) Inhale slowly through your nose, imagining that your stomach is a balloon that is filling up with air. Even though you know it is not your stomach filling up with air, this is the best way to picture your lower lungs filling up, slowly, with air. b) Hold the breath for a few seconds. c) Now exhale slowly and fully through your mouth, feeling your abdomen deflate completely as you say a word such as, “Relax”, or “Calm”.Always associate a specific word with the feeling of relaxation you get after exhaling. d) Repeat this type of breathing slowly, evenly and effortlessly.Your hand should rise with each inhalation and fall with each exhalation. e) Enjoy how good it feels to be relaxed and stress free! 36 36
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement I always suggest to my clients to practice this exercise, in the beginning, at least 5 - 10 times a day. Y ou are breathing all day long anyways, so why not replace the stress filled breathing with a relaxed, focused breathing as often as you can! The more you practice, the more this type of breathing will replace the old, ineffective type of breathing. It is best to be aware of your breathing pattern as much as possible. The idea is to make the relaxation breath a complete replacement for slow, shallow upper chest breathing leading to reduced anxiety and stress. 37 37
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 5 5 - - Focused Focused Presence Presence The ability to focus as your prepare to perform and during an actual performance, is a result of all of the skills and techniques we have previously discussed in this book. Focus has been described as your ability to concentrate fully on the one task at hand, to experience ‘Mental Quiet’, remaining undistracted by internal critical ‘noise’or negative imagery. The goal is to close the gap that is often between what you intend to do in your performance and what you actually accomplish. In other words, to STOP all of that ‘left brain noise or chatter’that sabotages your ability to focus on the performance at hand. 38 38
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement “It’s only during our alpha state (right brain) PERIODS OF CONTEMPLATIVE CALM that we get mentally quiet enough to become Single-Minded – Focused – In the Moment” ~ Don Greene, Performance Psychologist 39 39
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Centering The concept and skill of Centering, which is used in the martial arts as well as in sports performance, helps create the kind of focus I am talking about. Centering is learning to stay in the here and now, focusing on the task at hand. The following are key elements of learning to focus using the process of centering: 1) What do you intend to do once you are focused? ~ Focus on one goal or action. ~ Use positive language – (“I’m going to” not “I hope to”) 2) Focus on your target ~ Pick a point is where you are going to direct all of your energy that accompanies stressful performances (i.e., a spot on the court, the accepting faces in the audience, the flag on the green). 40 40
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Centering (cont.) 3) Breathe in a focused, mindful way ~ Close your eyes, breathe focused and abdominally. ~ Breathe mindfully and quiet your left brain. ~ Feel rooted, grounded and in control of your energy. 4) Relax Y our T ension ~As you take a breath, take a quick inventory for muscle tension exhale, say “calm or relax” and allow your muscles to relax and the stress to go away. 5. Repeat a ‘Focusing Cue’ ~ As your left brain becomes quiet, call the right brain into action by using a focusing cue such as “Relax” or “Calm” or Focus.” 41 41
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Centering (cont.) Combine focused breathing, muscle relaxation and your focusing cue to turn off left brain chatter and become centered and focused to achieve your absolute best in your performance. Centering takes PRACTICE! T ake advantage of any stressful opportunity throughout your day to practice – by practicing this when you don’t need it, focused centering will be available to you when you do need it most. 42 42
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Factor Factor # # 6 6 - - Persistence Persistence "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, nor a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." The final skill that I want to share with you in regards to developing Mental T oughness is based on the following key question: Do you persevere when times get tough? 43 43
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.T alent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." ~ Calvin Coolidge 44 44
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement The kind of perseverance,or ‘hanging tough,’that I am talking about is a commitment to your dream or goal, not on a one time basis, but rather daily, hourly and continually. Do you give up too soon? Does you fear of rejection cause you to quit before you have a chance to be successful? Through my years of coaching, I have discovered that there are 3 main obstacles to Perseverance: Obstacle #1 ~ Lack of Commitment to Your Dream or Goal " Perseveranceis a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 45 45
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Are you knocking loud and long in terms of achieving your goals?Are you making noise as a result of your actions and efforts? Or are you quitting too soon when success might be right around the corner? Stay committed to the things that truly matter to you. Do not lose focus in terms of the prize you are seeking. Bertrand Russell once said, “There are people in show business that have become major stars simply because they didn’t have enough sense to quit when they should have.” Do you give up too soon? Do you not persevere? 46 46
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Obstacle #2 ~ “Talking” Instead of ‘Doing” "Noise produces nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as though she has laid an asteroid!" ~ Mark Twain Are you taking massive action to achieve your dreams or are you just talking about them or what you wish you had. Outrageous success in life is not achieved through hope, luck or just talking about it, but through persistent effort. 47 47
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Obstacle #3 ~ Waiting for the ‘Perfect’Time “If you want for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” ~ Ecclesiastes 11:4 Akey part of the skill of perseveranceis to not wait for an opportunity, but rather start ‘creating’opportunities! - T ake responsibility for your life and career by utilizing THE POWER OF CHOICE Remember the two most powerful words are “I choose” vs. “That’s just the way I am” - - Focus on action – T ake charge, be willing to assert yourself, take risks, stop blaming the event or person if things don’t go the way you desire. Make a choice to commit yourself to that which you desire through action and hard work, and perseverance 48 48
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement Finally, here is a wonderful quote by Charles Swindoll in which he describesAttitude and the Mindset of an OutrageousAchiever: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than money, than circumstances,than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes." 49 49
Mental Mental Toughness Toughness for for Outrageous Outrageous Achievement Achievement It is my hope that you will apply the 6 Factors of Mental T oughness in your business, in any performance situation you find yourself in and in your life in general as you pursue your dreams and goals. Factor #1 - Determination Factor #2 – Focused Goals Factor #3 – Confident Perspective Factor #4 – Stress/Anxiety Control Factor #5 – Focused Presence Factor #6 – Perseverance It IS possible to go from mediocrity to OutrageousAchievement. I look forward to hearing from you as you apply what you have learned and as you achieve your dreams!Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey! 50 50
