Nine Ways to be Mentally Tough

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Nine Ways to be Mentally Tough

What do the top racers consistently do that makes them tougher than the rest?
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Hi there

What does the phrase ‘mental toughness’ make you think of? Hard nose geezers who finish a race with a broken arm? Well yes, such a chap is likely to be mentally tough, but here are nine ways the research tells us will make you mentally tough in your racing.

A mentally tough person will have the following 9 things going for them:

1st thing

They don’t rely on others but they know when and where to get help

It’s better to be non-dependent rather than independent. You will never succeed on your own.

2nd thing

They are committed (they decide on their goals and go for them)

With self-belief comes a high expectation of success. High expectations breed constant and effective goal setting that remain on track even when it all turns pear-shaped. (You know it sometimes turns pear-shaped for all of us, don’t you?)

3rd thing

They are in control of their emotions

When you come in from free practice in a non-qualifying position and face 1 hour to sort things out before qualifying, you need to be mentally tough. Keeping all your ineffective and defensive patterns of reacting in check and positively focussing on what matters will keep your mind calm and creative.

4th thing

They are single-minded but not obsessive

Just like a car or bike on the limit, it’s all about the balance. You might be a racer, but you’re still a human being. Neglect your real needs and you’ll store big problems for your future.

5th thing

When it’s called for, they are aggressive

It’s not called racing for nothing. When on-track, you need to nail that pass on the next guy without caring a fig about them, even if off-track they’re your best mate. If you’re not setting up to pass, you’re likely going to get passed!

6th thing

They are prepared to take appropriate risks (they are not scared of failing)

They are not perfectionists and their need to achieve is way bigger than their fear of failure. In racing, mistakes will happen if you’re going to improve.

7th thing

They see pressure as a friend not an enemy

The weak will fold under pressure. The mentally tough love the pressure as it sorts the best from the good.

8th thing

They are self-confident

They have a high self-concept and a high expectation. When things take a turn for the worst their inner belief in themselves keeps their confidence up and their actions positive.

9th thing

They have a ‘go and do it’ attitude

The things I tell you about have no value to you whatsoever until you act on them. Mentally tough people constantly act before they are fully ready and constantly reap the benefits of this positive forward march.


* The Mindset for Racing Finish Line *

If the nine key things above are condensed into one single thing then that thing is ‘being open to change’. A mentally tough racer will always take action on the next step they believe will move them towards faster and more consistently fast lap-times.

Remembering that competition is a continuous presentation of problems, ask yourself what you are doing to increase your coping capacity in relation to your racing. What change are you open to today that will make you mentally tougher and allow you to perform better tomorrow?

You know what the top guys do and what you should be doing, don’t you?


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Enjoy your racing and never give up.

Regards

Mike

Mike Garth BSc (Hons) MSc
07737 655 912
mike.garth@sun1400.com
www.sun1400.com
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