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Top 5 Things Mentally Tough Athletes Don’t Do

June 6, 2017Mike SisselBlog4

imagesP0PJN7L1In the past, I’ve written about the critical importance of mental toughness for athletes.  It’s easy to overlook the fact that there are actually two games going on in any sport.  There’s the game that takes place on the field and there’s the game that takes place between the athletes’ ears.  I refer to this as The Game Within The Game.   

Typically when I work with individual athletes or teams, I seek to empower them with specific skills and strategies, designed to enhance their mental toughness.  A to do list of mental toughness tools, if you will. 

However, it’s also important to outline various things that mentally tough athletes don’t do.  Below is a list of The Top 5 Things Mentally Tough Athletes DON’T Do, along with a mental toughness solution for each.      

Give their power away to people and things

You can’t feel like a victim and be mentally strong at the same time.  When you say things like – My coach drives me nuts or My parents are making me crazy – you’re giving your power away.  No one has the power to make you think, feel, or behave in a certain way. 

Mental Toughness Solution:  Recognize moments when you’re allowing others to rent space in your head and take your power back by simply saying, “I’m taking my power back.”

Spend time trying to control things that are out of their control.

Complaining doesn’t solve problems; it only drains your energy.  If you practice controlling what you can control (thoughts, feelings, actions), you’ll be much better prepared for whatever comes your way.

Mental Toughness Solution:  Pay attention to times when you’re tempted to complain.  Accept that the situation (person) is out of your control and focus on influencing, not controlling.

Hang out in their comfort zone because of fear, doubt, or other people’s opinions.

You can’t become extraordinary without taking risks.  Fear will tell you that any risk is bad, which is precisely why it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone. 

Mental Toughness Solution:  Identify your goals and then identify the fears that may appear as you work toward achieving the goal.  If you’re prepared for these fears and know your triggers, they ultimately lose their power. 

Dwell on the past.

Learning from the past is beneficial; carrying it with you is not.  Constantly questioning your past choices keeps you from enjoying the present and making the future as good as it can be.   

Mental Toughness Solution:  Make peace with the past.  Give yourself some grace and recognize that your past doesn’t define you.  You don’t drive your car by looking in the rearview mirror, so why drive your life that way.      

Expect immediate results.

Self-growth develops slowly.  There is no such thing as an overnight success.  Bumps on the road are minor setbacks, not total roadblocks. 

Mental Toughness Solution:  Learn to ‘trust the process.’  When you find yourself thinking about where you should be, try to celebrate who you’ve become on your journey. 

If you’d like to learn more about my work with athletes, please email me at mike@kaleidoeye.com.

 

Comments

Libby Edmonds Reply
June 7, 2017

Hi Mike, I have been receiving your amazing Kaleidoeye post for a few years now. Its one of the best EQ materials I receive. Practical to the point and very user friendly. In this tech world there is so much information overload. I love receiving your info as I know I can apply it in my own life and as a teacher.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes
Libby

Mike Sissel Reply
June 7, 2017

Hi Libby. Thank you for your kind words. It’s great to hear from you.

I’m honored that you find my EQ Materials to be so meaningful. If I remember correctly, you’re in New Zealand, right? Perhaps I can travel to your neck of the woods someday and meet you in person.

Blessings,
Mike

bob reichard Reply
June 13, 2017

Hi Neighbor, I love most of your dialogs, but this one really sticks out for me !!
Keep up the good work !!!!!

Mike Sissel Reply
June 13, 2017

Howdy neighbor. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad this blog resonated with you.

All my best,
Mike

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“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”
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“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”
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“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”  
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“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”
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"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”
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“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”  
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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”

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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”
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“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”

 

Fred Sanchez

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“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”  
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