Performance
Sport performance is greatly influenced by the mental state of any athlete. The most powerful mental influence takes place on a completely unconscious level yet we are so focused on trying to get athletes to apply the power of positive thinking and mind over matter psychology.
Athletes start to train harder and train more in order to become better, yet the impact on their unconscious mental state are more likely to be negatively enforced by this than any positive outcome possible. This leads to greater frustration and encourage the athlete to grow into a greater negative mental state. When this happens in a team sport it has the possibility to impact on the performance of the entire team and spreads like a cancer.
The implementation of the awareness process is simple to apply and can be done and experienced in a short period of time. Individuals are supported and assessed over a period of time to ensure the effective application to create the desired outcome not only of the individual athlete, but also the team.
The whole purpose is to align the mental consciousness of the athlete with the desired physical performance. Apart from the tangible outcome achieved, the character of the athlete is powerfully influenced at the same time.
Trust & Success
Experience have tought me one thing and that is when trust is in doubt in a player himself or within a team environment between any members, that constant success is impossible.
When you lack in trust, then you simply lack in confidence at the same time. Distrust spreads like cancer within a player himself and within a team. The focus then becomes so many other issues which drains time and energy from players and coaches alike, yet at the core of it all lies distrust.
"Whether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family, if you can't trust one another there's going to be trouble." - Joe Paterno, Head Football Coach , Penn State University
Stats say that only 36% of players believe their coaches act with honesty and integrity.
That only 51% of players have trust and confidence in their coaching staff.
What we should be focussing on is the powerful dimention of self trust. I am not referring to boasful self trust, but self belief as a result of integrity and character. If you can't trust yourself you will have a hard time trusting other's, which in any team sport becomes crucial.
It is medically proven that trust directly impacts on your passion, excitement, energy and joy in every area of your life.
Trust is not something that you have or you don't have, it is something that you can build and restore in your life, and just as easy you can destroy and give it away.
And yes, it WILL impact every area and relationship in your life.....that, you can't get away from.
Call me today!
Motivation
How do I get my team motivated for the next game?
How do I get myself motivated for the next event?
These are two of the most asked questions in any sport environment today, be it the athlete, the coach or the management staff involved. Focus usually shifts to motivational speakers or team building events, etc. Yes, these do have a positive impact at times. The trouble is that the impact they have are just that, for a short period of time and then you have to come up with the next method of motivation.
So what now then, where do we go from here you may ask?
The only form of lasting motivation comes from within each athlete. It is finding that purpose that gets you to want do partake in the sport that you are. To be at the level that you are now and the level you wish to achieve further. Until you connect with that very single purpose, your motivation will be temporary and very much conditional on outside factors like money and fame, etc. Connecting with that single purpose within yourself is a journey each successful athlete has to make.
Contact me today to support you on that journey.
Character
The character of an athlete or the lack thereof is at the core of his performance.
In today's competitive sport arena all the emphasis is on physical training, better and more advanced equipment, nutrition, training facilities and sponsors. All of these do play an important role in being successful, to be the best that you can be! Yet all of this will only get you to as far as your character allows you to go.
When I talk about character the following comes into play:
- self belief
- trust
- commitment & motivation
- consistency
- conscious & unconscious decisions
If any of these are missing, it will negatively impact not only on your performance but also your personal life and every relationship you find yourself in. These relationships in turn will greatly impact on your performance again. It is a cycle that feeds on itself either towards your success in life and consistency, or towards your downfall.
Time is not going to change anything.....harder work will only make a temporary change, it is a growing awareness and strength in your character that will see you achieve your goal.
The choice is yours.
Team Selection
The focus to date has always been on performance. If you are the best player then you will get selected.
There has been a turn of events recently in the most professional and lucrative sport industry known to man, the NFL. The most sought after team to play for did not pick who was thought to be the best quarterback at the first-round draft. Yet another player was picked which became the biggest story of the 2010 NFL draft.
When confronted the head coach confirmed that his decision was motivated by the difference in the character of the players. One had a sound character and he can be coached on the various things missing from his game, where the other player who people think is the best has a very large ego.
I have found this in my journey that people who are willing to grow are far more valuable to a team than the 'best' player with an ego. Team sports are influenced by these ego's and it is like cancer in a human body. It limits your performance and starts to spread to other previously healthy parts if not dealt with. The longer you wait before attending to it in a manner that bring complete healing, the greater the damage and the longer the healing process once you do decide to get help.
Coaches get so much pressure from selection panels, management, media and the public to select the best player regardless. History shows us that the team performance outweighs that of one individual as long as the team are healthy. If the health of a team is dependent on one large ego, then even if that ego lies on the shoulders of the best individual player, it is best to make that sacrifice. e.g. I worked with a cricket team who did not perform well. The one batsman almost always made lots of runs and 'carried the team with his performance. That is all the public sees. Yet internally this players caused much problems due to his ego.....which was now being fed by his performance almost always being the best in the team. This player got injured and within two games the team started performing consistently well. Their team performance completely outweighed the performance of their team when the 'best' batsman was present. The player was dropped and after this confrontation he agreed to work on his ego and after some time, now being part of the team again without the ego, they are so solid and consistent in performance.
Just dealing with what seems to be the issue of problem will not bring the healing required, it is the character of the player and/or coach that needs to be addressed and changed.
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Client Feedback
"Less is often more, given your disciplined responsibility and mental preparation. In the short space of time we worked together, you taught me the importance of the mind to be aware of ones conscious. When I say less is more, I'm meaning it's not necessary to kick/train all day in order to achieve success or higher honors!" - (Springbok & Stormers Rugby)
"After working with Johan, I am able to focus on the things that really matter in my life. It is simple, yet effective and easy to apply. It makes a big impact daily in the way I think, feel and live." - (Sharks Rugby Union)
"Johan has had a significant impact not only on my rugby career, but my life as well making me realise my potential as a person, I thank him!" - (WP & Springbok A Rugby)