Athletes need to block out things that don’t matter.
You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Get your game face on!” That proclamation can mean a lot of different things. But for an athlete–no matter the sport–it means you need to be ready to play.
What it doesn’t say is how to put that game face on. Do you go in angry, ready to destroy anyone who gets in your way? Are you cool and act on strategy?
Don’t be this golfer (image, Emaze)
The answer may depend on your emotional state. Are you edgy? Are you calm? If you’re nervous, muscles usually tighten up and you may think more about not messing up than implementing the game plan.
The reality, though, is that there are plenty of reasons to be nervous. Perhaps the team you’re playing is undefeated. You may be thinking about your individual stats. Maybe you need to play well to retain a starting position.
While all of that is understandable, athletes know that they need to play relaxed and with focus. One way to do that is to engage in a non-sports activity before the game, an activity you enjoy. Many athletes listen to music and even have noise blocking earbuds from the Music Critic’s noise blocking earbuds guide.
The bottom line is to focus on what you can control and avoid thinking about things that are outside of your control. Athletes need to find to block out things that don’t matter.
If you stay focused, odds are you’ll perform better. You’re more likely to have fun, too.
