How to Focus on What’s in Your Control
Do you worry often, about a lot of different things unrelated to your performance?
Maybe, what your teammates are doing…
How your opponents are scoring?
What your parents and coaches might be thinking?
Or maybe you’re worried about the results or outcome of a competition? Where will you finish at the end?
You might be so worried about reaching the outcome that you forget to focus on the little things that help you reach those goals…
Do you worry about achieving expectations and living up to the “favorite” role?
Olympic Gold Medalist, Fabian Hambüchen was the favorite and expected to win several medals in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, including gold on the high bar…
Becoming an Olympic champion was his big dream. He wanted that more than anything.
While he was in the best starting position as possible, his chances were good. Though, his thoughts, or mindset sabotaged him, and he ended up with a bronze medal.
The disappointment Hambüchen felt after the games was vast.
He trained harder and harder physically to try and make up for his losses, thinking that’s what he needed. As a result, he injured himself pretty severely.
After this, Fabian had a realization:
He Needed to get Stronger Mentally, not Physically
Through Fabian’s mental training, he leaves a few pieces of advice for athletes and their mental strength:
- Focus only on what is essential.
- Remind yourself why you do the sport that you do.
- Be aware and remember the things that are in your hands and the things that aren’t; only worry about what you can control.
- Focus on yourself and try to be the best version of YOURself.
- Learn from defeats.
- Don’t let others negatively influence you.
With Fabian’s new way of thinking, using these 6 tips, he was able to win silver at the 2012 Olympics and a gold in 2016 in Rio… even with a torn supraspinatus muscle.
Fabian recognized his mental toughness as being responsible for these victories.
His tips are fundamental to developing mental strength, no matter what sport you play or compete in.
One of the biggest messages I share with my athletes correlates with Fabian’s advice. Know the things you can control, like your preparation and training, and only worry about those.
Many athletes are concerned with factors outside of their control, such as the judges, the crowd, how teammates are doing, what coaches think, and many more.
Ninety-five percent of the things we worry about never happen. As Fabian said:
“What’s the point in wasting energy on things you can’t control? I’m not walking up to the high bar wondering what kind of referees are sat there. They’re all just people, the rating is subjective and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
How to Focus on What’s in Your Control
As you train and compete, focus on what’s in your hands, in your control.
Focusing on what you can control will help you develop as an athlete and be successful.
Worrying about others and things outside of your control does absolutely nothing to help you perform your routines.
For more information on building mental toughness, check out “The Confident Gymnast” audio and workbook program!
Related Articles:
- Focus on Excellence Instead of Perfection
- How to Cope With Distractions And Focus Better
- Staying Calm And Focused at Meets
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