To reach full potential, any athlete needs mental toughness. That's a combination of mental, emotional and physical toughness. How do you achieve that? You need to get out of your comfort zone and regularly expose yourself to difficulties that stretch your limits. Pride yourself on being able to handle tough circumstances, without whining or feeling self-pity. Top athletes are great role models for this. Who else can we learn this from? Right. Military people. They are all about mental toughness.
SIX MILITARY SPECIAL FORCES MIND STRATEGIES?
United States Army Ranger training is one of the toughest special forces military programs on the planet. Mind skills are as important as physical and soldering skills. All but the toughest wash out. About 60% of all applicants fail during indoctrination. This failure rate is purposefully designed into the initiatives to weed out all but the very toughest and best people. Attendees who graduate have the confidence and mental toughness of knowing they passed through the virtual gates of torture and lived. How many of these Ranger mind tools do you possess?
1.Rangers train to expect the unexpected. Do you love unpredictability or are you a creature of habit who gets thrown off-balance with every change of wind?
2.Rangers train against enemy capture exploitation and political indoctrination tactics. Do you have a plan for handling workplace politics?
3.Rangers are the only military unit that mandates physical training five days a week, 48 weeks a year. Are you making yourself fit to do battle in the workplace?
4.Rangers are trained to believe that there is more than one way to do almost anything. Are you a flexible and adaptable thinker?
5.Rangers must be ready to deploy anywhere in the world on 18-hours notice. Do you maintain a ready state of mind for any eventuality?
6.Rangers are expert at infiltrating by air, sea or land into any kind of terrain, under any type of condition. Do you consider yourself well-rounded in your tactics and abilities?
Do you want the mental abilities of a Ranger? Toughen your mind.
Be a mentally tough athlete. Adopt the mental strategies of the Rangers and toughen your mind and body.
This article covers only one small part of the mental game. A complete mental training program includes motivation and goal-setting, pre-event mental preparation, post-event review and analysis, mental strengthening, self-regulation training, breath control training, motor skill training, mental rehearsal, concentration training, pressure-proofing, communication training, confidence-building, breaking through mental barriers, slump prevention, mental toughness training, flow training, relaxation training, momentum training, psych-out proofing and media training.
There is an intangible trait that I notice in all of my best athletes and clients that far outweighs pure talent. It isn't something that I can document on paper or critique on a video, but it is there. The amazing thing is that you can only see it when situations in training or competing become difficult. This trait to which I am referring is what I like to call "Iron Will," otherwise known as mental toughness!
Sports psychologist have studied this very phenomenon and determined that not everyone is blessed with this particular trait, and it generally separates the great ones from everyone else. "Iron Will" is basically the ability for an athlete, competitor, or hard-driven individual to push on harder and longer than the other guy regardless of the circumstances, the odds, or pain the individual may be experiencing. It is an unrelenting drive to do better and fight harder even in the most dire situations. I have seen this same trait in the most successful athletes and clients that I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 8 years. I will say that the people with "Iron Will" are few and far between. Most of the general population isn't blessed with this powerful trait. Most people don't have that kind of intrinsic motivation to keep pushing on and willing themselves to new heights. Its not a trait that can be taught or learned. I have spent my career trying to improve peoples' individual level of performance and fitness by teaching them, but this is one trait that I can't teach nor can anyone else.
"Iron Will" is certainly the most valuable trait you can have in your strength training and fitness program. If you have the desire it will be much easier for you to obtain your goals.
Both Bill Cole, Ms, Ma & Brandon Richey are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bill Cole, Ms, Ma has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stress Management, Recreation and Sports and Public Speaking. Bill Cole, MS, MA is one of the world's leading mental game coaches who consults with athletes of all levels including children, amateurs and professionals. Mr. Cole is the founder and President of the International Mental Game Coaching Association, the g. Bill Cole, Ms, Ma's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Brandon Richey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Fitness and Women. To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at To be one of my members and to receive more tip. Brandon Richey's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.