Like everything else, one must practice developing focus & concentration is a discipline.  Everything has a price.  There are certain tools that allow for this development.  The tools are simple & for some people that becomes a problem.  It is often difficult to accept something that is simple as it is judged "not good" if it isn't difficult!  For my clients & students in Sarasota, as well as on the web, this is an important lesson.  Accepting the ease of the tool & practicing it over & over again.  

One tool we use is something called mental biofeedback or body scanning.  This reprograms the mind for the automatic release of stress at low levels. This tool also develops concentration, focus & flexibility.  All of these are needed in all sports.  As we learn to be aware of subtle sensations in the body  ( communications ) & then move on ( flexibility ), we can transfer this learning to the playing field of a particular sport.  It is in the awareness that we find the entrance to the subconscious mind.  Now we are in position to program the mind for what we want.  We also must re-program if thoughts of what we don't want are playing in the inner VCR.

You might like to check out some of our audio programs on these subjects, or The Deskside Coach Program.  Other audio programs that help manage emotions can be found at the personal development audio link.  All sports tapes include this tool.

Managing Thoughts & Emotions

Our basic tool for managing thoughts & emotions is something called awareness meditation practice.  Many people have the wrong idea about meditation & find it difficult to apply in the area of sports, but this is just a lack of knowledge on their part.  It is vital for us to be able to be aware of the workings of the mind & this needs to be developed in a special type of training.  Like mental biofeedback, this tool is also simple in process, but profound in outcomes.  It is often difficult to accept something that is simple as it is judged "not good" if it isn't difficult!  For my clients & students in Sarasota, as well as on the web, this is an important lesson.  Accepting the ease of the tool & practicing it over & over again.  

As we learn to notice the workings of the mind in practice, we become familiar with the inner tapes playing in the VCR of the mind & also the emotions that placed them there.  We can also notice the body sensations in relation to the VCR tapes & the emotions.  This is very important in winning the mind game.  Once we see what is occurring, we have the opportunity to change it.  If we don't see it we cannot change it.  So this part of our practice is only in becoming aware.  Champions in any sport are aware of subtleties.  The development of this awareness is vital to becoming a champion.

You might like to check out some of our audio programs on these subjects, or The Deskside Coach Program.  Other audio programs that help manage emotions can be found at the personal development audio link.  All sports tapes include some training in this tool.  For more advanced training see the audio program link above.

Programming the Mind for Success

Once we have developed awareness tools we can begin programming the mind for success.  In actuality we do this at the same time, but the awareness comes first & then the programming.  Rather like the chicken & the egg, but this time we do know what comes first.  This is often missed by those looking to re-program the mind.  We have many tools for doing this.  Some are called Interactive Self-Hypnosis & we designed by this Author.  These tools allow for programming in the moment & are very powerful indeed.  Other tools are interactive imagery & visualization practice.  These are accomplished either in the office or on audio.  The audio programs offer the listener the opportunity to participate actively in the re-programming.  This again is an Interactive Self-Hypnosis Technique designed by the author.  In the moment of awareness we have a unique opportunity to re-program the mind.  As we begin to open to this changes abound.

You might like to check out some of our audio programs on these subjects, or The Deskside Coach Program.  Other audio programs that help re-program the mind can be found at the personal development audio link.  All sports tapes include some training in this tool.  For more advanced training see the audio program link above.

Building an Inner Discipline

Everything has a price & that includes playing sports at optimum levels.  The level is determined by the desire to develop a discipline both in physical technique & mental tools.  Each day is an opportunity to build on a good framework.  Those who work in this way will reap the rewards.  Each day we must take time to practice high level nutrition, body awareness tools, emotional & thought management & inner imagery practice.  Most people at this point would say, "I don't have the time."  The uniqueness of these tools allows for practice as we live our normal life.  But once again, if that was the answer coming from your thought process, it might be a good idea to notice the emotion involved & match it to your desire.  How much to you want to achieve?  What is your optimum performance desire?  Is someone else trying to program you with their goals?  It is time to be honest with yourself & make some choices.  The tools to success are simple, but the discipline must be developed.  Discipline has often been seen as a "burden."  Something that is "no fun!"  In actuality, just the opposite is true.  Discipline brings joy & balance to life as a whole.  Sports is a great place to find & develop this.

You might like to check out some of our audio programs on these subjects, or The Deskside Coach Program.  Other audio programs that help re-program the mind can be found at the personal development audio link.  All sports tapes include some training in this tool.  For more advanced training see the audio program link above.