Having a positive self-fulfilling prophecy is one of the most critical necessities for any professional athlete. In short, a self-fulfilling prophecy is the belief one possesses about his or her athletic skills and their assumption about how things will go once in competition.

The self-fulfilling prophecy not only plays a role in athletic events, but also in work situations, like a businessman conducting a presentation or an attorney trying to sway the jury. If you don’t believe in your own skill set to achieve positive results (regardless of the context), the odds of succeeding plummet.

32-year-old golfer Sergio Garcia, currently ranked the world’s 21st best, essentially sang to the world last week that he has a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. Before teeing off in the final round of the Masters, Garcia said, “I’m not good enough [to win a major]. In 13 years, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to play for second or third place.” This was an astonishing thing for golf fans to hear even though he receives constant criticism for always contending but never winning at the majors (he has three 2nd place finishes in majors).

Either Sergio Garcia is playing a game of reverse psychology on the media and other golfers by saying he can’t win or he has a serious lack of self-confidence. Golfers often come out of nowhere to win major tournaments, so why does he think he truly isn’t good enough?

Let’s face it; Garcia is well equipped to win a major. But if he ever actually wins one, he needs to believe that he can. It all starts from within. If he continues to believe that he can’t win before he hits a shot in the first round, he’s right – he’ll never win one. But if he develops a positive self-fulfilling prophecy and can picture himself holding up the trophy on Sunday afternoon, then he will win. Don’t doubt yourself when there is no reason to! See and believe the positive outcome, go through the rhythmic process, and the rest will fall right into place.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

The world of athletics, business, and life in general often boils down to making decisions. Life is full of choices and certain decisions an individual makes that will push them into one direction or another. When making these decisions it is important to have confidence, think positive, and do one’s best to remain calm. Athletes often enter into stressful situations; stepping to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lining up for a goal line stand on fourth down, or reading a putt to win a golf tournament. All sorts of thoughts enter into the athletes’ mind and for most individuals these thoughts are not positive or productive.

A commercial from McGladrey, a company that specializes in “Assurance, Tax and Consulting” according to their website, is a great example of what not to do during competition. A golfer, Davis Love III, and his caddie, in this case a representative of negative thought, are crouched on a putting green attempting to read how the ball will break when the caddie begins to speak. “Don’t think about the millions of viewers, don’t think about all those guys right on your tail… and don’t hit it three feet passed because then you’re looking at a possible three putt, that’s going to crush your score. Good luck!”

These are exactly the types of thoughts that run through the minds of athletes everywhere under stressful situations and are often detrimental to one’s performance. Most times when athletes think to themselves, “don’t swing at the curveball in the dirt” that is exactly what they end up doing because they are so fixated on that particular thought.

Positive self-talk is very important and is something that can be worked on at any time. It is imperative to lock in on the elements you can control as an athlete such as breathing to relax or executing a specific trigger to help narrow your focus. Narrowing your focus to implement a task you have complete control over allows you to feel more confident during performance thus creating a positive mindset. A perfect time to begin changing ones internal thought is at practice. Instead of thinking, “don’t hit the ball to the shortstop because it will result in a double play” a batter could begin ingraining a narrowed focused by thinking, “keep my weight back to hit the ball to the opposite field.” This is a simple change in connotation that will boost confidence and positive thinking during performance.

Here is a link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlPqRa4WAg8&feature=related

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

Last week, Bill Haas beat Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in a two-hole playoff to win the 2012 Northern Trust Open. Although it was Haas’ steady play throughout the week that allowed him to have the chance at victory, it was his mental thinking and preparation that really put the trophy in his hands.

When Haas made his par on the 18th hole during the final round, he had the clubhouse lead at 7 under. There were only two players who could catch him – Mickelson and Bradley. To do so, one of them would have to birdie the difficult 18th hole (which had only yielded six birdies all day). The odds that one of them would birdie were very unlikely; both of them making birdie would have been nearly impossible.

Despite the odds, Haas knew he couldn’t get ahead of himself and assume they wouldn’t make birdie. In fact, as Mickelson and Bradley were teeing off on 18 and Haas had the lead to himself, an interviewer asked him what his mindset was. His response: “My mindset is that both of them are probably going to birdie 18 and I have got to be prepared for a playoff here. I just have to execute good golf shots.”

Sure enough, both of them birdied, he entered the three-man playoff, and won.

This example speaks to the importance of expecting the unexpected and assuming the worst outcome. Deep down, Haas knew that the odds of them both making birdie was very unlikely, but he had to prepare his mind and body for more holes. He couldn’t let himself think for a second that he had won the tournament because it wasn’t over. He couldn’t let their play on the final hole impact his approach and play.

This is a lesson all golfers (and other athletes) can learn from. Not letting the play of your competitors get in your own head is a difficult, yet valuable ability. Regardless of whether the gap is widening or closing in between you and your competitors, it is essential to only focus on executing your own play. As soon as you begin to compare your play with the play of your competition, you are doomed.

Another important thing we can learn from Haas’ situation is that whatever the situation, it’s beneficial to expect your opponent to do the unexpected. If you can mentally prepare yourself for such outcomes, you will be able to more effectively and calmly execute your own processes.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex

Recently I went to Louisiana to work with the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks baseball program. I have to say it was a great experience. Many teams can learn a lot from what is going on over there in Warhawks Nation.

There are certain characteristics that all great teams must have if they plan on winning a championship. One of them is hard work. Teams must put in the time and be dedicated to conditioning, practice and getting prepared for their games. These elements resonated through each player as they displayed the desire to want to work hard and get better. It wasn’t just with lifting weights or swinging the bat during BP. It was also the willingness to sharpen their mental game. Their eagerness to learn, train and put themselves in position handle the adversity of competition.

Another aspect important for team success is building a productive culture that ball players are willing to buy in to. Our main focus for the week was to establish being accountable, motivated and to be in control. It’s important for each player to be responsible for their actions on and off the field of play. Players also need to maintain control at all times. As soon as an individual allows another element to distract them, whether a bad call, an opponent, a coach, weather, anything, then they have completely given up their power. Don’t ever give up your power and become powerless, ever! This mantra has to be a pillar in the foundation of what a team believes in.

The last thing that great teams must posses to have any chance of being a dominant force is team chemistry. This factor goes a long way and makes up for many obstacles that will be endured throughout the course of a season. The ULM Warhawks have an impressive foundation of team unity and family. These guys are willing to have their brother’s back no matter the situation. All is possible when a team is as close as what I witnessed in Monroe.

These key factors have led to a fast start for Warhawks Nation. They currently hold a 4-1 record and have the Nations highest RPI rating out of all Division I teams. The key to keep this rolling will be their dedication and trust to continue to buy in to the culture that has been established, through thick and thin. When adversity strikes their bond will need to be stronger than ever. And from what I saw throughout that week in Monroe, the Warhawks have all the team ingredients to go far this year.

Sports Psychology/Mental Training from Mental Apex