By Jasmine Sheehan
When it comes to thought process, there are really two options.
You can be this guy:
Or this guy:
Research suggests the average human being has 66,000 thoughts per day, and of those 66,000 thoughts, 70-80% are negative. In fact, this percentage increases as we fatigue physically and mentally. So after a long day at work, during a tough workout, or the morning after you’ve been up all night with your kids, those negative thoughts are primed to go for a rip and take you down with them. It really is as simple as a negative attitude leading to a negative performance.
As many of you know, I work in healthcare. And in medicine, research is constantly being done to determine the correlation between mental toughness and surgical resiliency. Those surgeons who are able to see a negative, stressful event in a more positive light, like an artery rupturing during surgery, are more successful.
Many other industries have also begun researching how mental toughness developed in elite athletes can carry over into the workforce and be a predictor of success.
As you read this and think “why did I break up the nines? I’m so weak”, relax. Mental toughness is a learned practice. The same way you mastered the double under is the same way you’ll take ownership of your mind. Practice.
Last time we talk about having a key phrase (http://www.reebokcrossfitfirepower.com/the-firehouse-rules-vol-3/) to deal with adversity. Now we’re going to dig a little bit deeper and see if we can’t bring those 46, 200 negative thoughts you have per day down to a reasonable number.
First, spend a day being completely mindful of your thoughts and see what you find. The ratio of positive to negative thoughts, trends or patterns such as “I am more positive in the morning, and less so when I’m hungry” might surprise you.
When you get comfortable being mindful of your thoughts, start to pick out the negative ones and adjust them.
First,
Stop the thought: As a negative or unproductive thought creeps in, such as “I don’t want to lift this bar,” refocus by saying “stop” or “shut it down!”
Then,
Make a declarative statement: These are statements that echo positive attitudes and thoughts about yourself such as “I got this”, or “finish strong”.
Also try,
Turning negative thoughts into positive ones: Turn “I can’t” into “I can”.
Or,
Reframe the thought: Instead of putting emphasis on the work out,“this workout scares me and I hate pull-ups”
put it on yourself“I am ready to go and will dictate my own pace”
Don’t concern yourself too much with order or using all four techniques at one time. Whatever feels right in the moment should do the job.
Remember, nobody is born mentally tougher than anyone else. Anybody can get good at it if they are willing to dedicate the time. The physical is only the foundation. It’s the mental game that elevates you to your full potential.
So whether it be in the gym, at work, or at home, concentrate on the one thing you can control: what you tell yourself.
