To perform at the highest level we must practice mentally as well as physically. The human mind cannot distinguish reality from what we repeatedly imagine. The more vivid we are with our imagination, the more likely we are to see it materialize.
The reason great performers look so natural is because they have been there many times in their mind. Astronauts use flight simulators and other mechanisms to guide their imagery. Olympic athletes exercise a mental visual training regiment just as they do intense physical training.
When I have an important meeting, function, or event I make it a practice repeatedly visualize the perfect performance. When training salespeople, I teach them to take 5 or 10 minutes before each sales call to visualize their desired end result.
The reality is…with no training there will be no gaining.
When training yourself you must go through the moves mentally, over and over again, until they become second nature. Your mind stores, as a reality, everything you repeatedly think about. The mind will replay success or failure; so the performance you see in your mind will make a difference in how you perform physically.
When you go there in your mind it becomes automatic such as brushing your teeth or tying your shoes. If you can go there in your mind, you can then take your body there. However, if you go there in body but haven’t been there in your mind, then chances are you will not perform at your highest level.
So imagine yourself performing at the highest level. Play everything out in your head first. When you play it out in your mind you won’t fail. When you practice a mental rehearsal ahead of time, you won’t agonize when your performance is on the line.
Then it will seem effortless and natural.
To your success,
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Billy Cox is a self-development speaker who has the unique ability to bring business and life issues together with a focus on business. He is the author of The All-Star Sales Book, The Dream Book and You Gotta Get In The Game. He can be contacted by calling 1-800-722-4685 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
