We tend to think that practicing hard and pushing through rough experiences are enough to make it into the big leagues, but elite athletes are taught to understand that unless they build awareness of their thoughts, emotions and body sensations, they will fall short of achieving their true potential. To achieve peak performance, it is not only necessary to practice hard and develop consistent techniques, but also learn to become aware of moments when distractions take away the needed focus. It is only when the athlete develops the true essence of peak performance awareness that they are able to regain focus when they get distracted. Opposite to having awareness is lacking the needed mental focus to achieve one’s best. Not elite athlete has consistently achieved his/her best without incorporating mental awareness in his/her practicing routines.
The best time to practice mental awareness is during practice. It is clear that practice is used to improve technique and skill development, but it can also be used to simulate performance situations in order to bring a higher sense of nervousness. When these sensations are included, athletes will be forced to remain focused. This is the best time to bring awareness to thoughts, emotions and sensations while using mental techniques that help them manage those experiences.
It is often difficult to perfectly replicate a real performance while practicing; however, practicing under conditions where we are tested to achieve higher performance levels will push us to be in pressure situations that will closely resemble those that we will experience when we compete. For example, a golf player will benefit by putting six balls from 20 feet. All the balls that missed the hole need to be push back 5 feet from the hole. With only one stroke, each ball must go in. Failure to accomplish this task leads to starting everything all over again. Once this task is accomplished, then place all six balls 25 feet from the hole.
The goal of this exercise is to bring a higher level of nervousness in order to practice mental skills that will come handy when the real competition is on. The more frequently athletes train their mental readiness, the more likely they will perform their best.
To build awareness:
1- Push yourself to practice under simulated pressure situations to train your mental skills.
2- Understand that achieving peak performance is a consequence of managing uncomfortable situations, one at the time.