Mindset

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Mindset is something that can have a big impact on how you perform. Both in your workout and in life. Having a positive outlook on a task you are about to tackle can give you a competitive edge.

Look at mindset as more of a strategy than an emotion. Yes, it is often referenced in motivational fluff but it is more than just a buzz word. It is a controllable opportunity to enter a situation with an outlook that will set you up for success.

Take a movement like a double under. This is a skill movement that a lot of people struggle with. When this movement comes up in a workout you could say I cant do them and skip them forever. Or you could complain about how it hurts when you mess up an dhow you just hate them. Or you could make a decision to practice and do your best. Even though your workout time may be slower you are going to spend :30 each round practicing.

The same thing goes with a big lift. Especially in our high skill lifts like the snatch. People often talk themselves out of a PR before they even make an attempt. So much of lifting is mental. If you approach the bar with a “I’m gonna miss this” attitude then you lose the explosiveness and focus required to execute.

Here are a couple of things you can do to improve your mindset and it all really starts with who you surround yourself with. It is very important to make tough decisions on the people around you. Have an idea of what you want your mindset to be like and find people like that to learn from and be around. Mindset is a controllable opinion. If we add more people with optimism then we are moving in the right direction.

The second thing is to engage in active self awareness. If you find your self being negative then figure out how you got there. Was it something that is out of your control like an illness or injury or is it something within your control like an attitude towards a particular exercise. If you can make a simple shift in your mindset you will have a much better experience. In short worry about what you can control and don’t dwell on what you can’t control.