I Cannot Control My Anger

control angerIs it possible not to get angry, at all? Well, we all get angry. It is a acceptable human experience that is part of our repertoire of emotions. So, the answer is no. But, why do we feel anger and what can we do about it?

There are many reasons we get angry, but I believe that placing a lot of attention at the final outcome of a shot or performance eventually robs the athlete the opportunity to achieve the best results. We perform expecting to win. And, when we EXPECT to win, then anything short of it causes us to get angry. Even if we perform at our best, it does not guarantee winning. If an athlete is solely focused on winning, then he/she will ride an emotional roller coaster, which will be dictated by the final outcome of each shot. Imagine being happy at one point, then down at the next point, then up again because the opponent missed a shot. What an emotional ride!!

One thing is to expect to win, but it is entirely different to having the intention to win. In this case, we perform with endurance, strong self-belief, will and resolve. We play each point as if it is our last while remaining focused on playing each point at the time. Regardless of how we performed our last shot, we are able to put it behind and redirect our focus to the next shot.

It is very difficult to achieve peak performance if we allow our emotions to take over us. If we play against an athlete who is vastly inferior to us, then we may still have a chance to win. But, when competing against a player who is equal or better than us, then our chances to win are almost zero.

Our goal is to remain focused throughout the process of the performance. For a tennis player, he/she may need to pay a lot of attention to the seams of the ball; for a golfer, to visualize the shot; for a baseball pitcher, to keep the same throwing motion.

We cannot avoid feeling angry, but we can do something about it.

1- Stay focused on the process of your routine and be committed to it regardless of the final outcome.

2- We all feel anger; and, when we do, accept it and refocus on the next shot.

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