| What do you do when your ‘get up and go,’ has gotten up and gone? If you’re not doing enough things that make you want to quit, you’re probably not doing enough important things. Everyone sooner or later, and sometimes consistently, hits the wall. Here are some ideas from the coaching mindset to get back on track and thrive in the tough moments. Simple steps to mental toughness. |
 Calm down. Assess your task and recognize your abilities as accurately as you can. Acknowledge your weakness(es). This is the first step in most kinds of effective therapy or self discovery processes. When acknowledged, you can then do something about it. Expectations now become realistic. The answer might be as simple as finding or asking for help, seeing or doing something just a little differently. Thinking outside the box happens when you are calm and searching, not having an emotional meltdown. Learn and practice relaxation. Set your goal or expectation greater than your reach, but still within sight. Focus on your average performance, not your very best, which may seem untouchable at the present. Doing enough is usually enough. Especially when you hit the wall with seemingly no options. Mental toughness is about knowing and, looking for and finding options. Notch up your confidence. The ‘fake it till you make it will only go so far.’ This works if you haven’t far to go, but fades quickly. Confidence comes from accomplishment, not telling yourself you’re great. Do Something, moving forward. Find Control. Feeling out of control engages emotions, not rational thinking and problem solving. Create small victories, like slowing down your breath, set an alarm reminder for a task, pick up the phone and make that call, smile, etc. As most athletes do, create a ritual that precedes that ‘challenging’ thing for you to do. That small choice you make can increase your feeling of control and swing the momentum in your favor. Mental toughness is about stretching and growing. Respond instead of react. Listening to your feelings is a good thing, but remember that impulses are ‘messengers’ not ‘dictators.’ You don’t have to obey them. Label the emotions you’re feeling. This turns feelings into thoughts. Easier to manage. Instead of using a label such as, ‘I’m exhausted,’ say to yourself, ‘I’m experiencing tiredness.’ This doesn’t define you and close the door to positive options, it allows you to use information to make better decisions, such as, ‘I’m tired, but the deadline is in one hour…push through.’ Mental toughness is about choosing words that support you. Push through the discomfort. When purpose is strong enough and clearly defined, you automatically dig deeper. The only motivation that matters comes from meaning. If you can’t find or focus on purpose, think about those whom you love and who support you. Use them as a positive distraction to move you forward to solve the problem, energize you, complete the task, go the extra mile, without the negative drama. A personalized hypnosis session addressing the goals, habits and attitudes you would like to manifest, is the fastest and easiest way to get from wherever you are now to wherever you’d like to be. Neuroscientists say so, pro athletic coaches say so and having created thousands of sessions for athletes, students and entrepreneurs for more than 40 years, I’ve seen great results in all areas. Call me directly to discuss. |