Mind Gym: Fatal Distractions
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
-Jim Lefebvre
"In spite of all the distractions, remain focused on the job."
-Reggie Jackson
This chapter hits home for me as I have seen family members and friends ruin their potential because they wanted the high that drugs gave them for that little bit of time. We all make bad choices and mistakes. Whether it be because we have become addicted to these distractions or because life and our goals seem to become too big we just want an excuse to escape for awhile.
Mack emphasizes during this whole chapter how we must avoid the distractions like drugs and alcohol because they will lead us away from our goals. He does an exercise with the younger athletes he talks to. He pulls a fake, but realistic snake out of a bag and the kids of course jump back. He tells them they should be like that when drugs are brought to their schools.
Our friends and families have a huge influence on us. When athlete Richard Dumas went home to visit with friends he got in lots of trouble because of the drugs his "friends" were putting into his life. Fatal distractions don't have to always be drugs and alcohol. They can be other habits and if you have people that are putting that poison into your life its ok to walk away. It takes a stronger person to walk away then for someone to just keep abusing themselves with those toxic relationships or habits.
You, your family, and your team will be embarrassed if your make decisions not positively affecting your future. So instead of embarrassing all involved make everyone, including yourself, proud. Even though it might be hard now, eventually it will be worth it.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Mind Games: Progress Not Perfection
"It's all about the journey not the outcome."
-Carl Lewis
Last chapter Mack really focused on how goals are so important for success. This chapter he focuses on goals but how our goals need to be set. They tell you where you want to be in the future, which is great encouragement. Famous swim coach Dick Hannula said, "Goals keep people on target." When we set SMART goals it allows us to see the progress we are making which then gives us the self-confidence we need. Before we get to the acronym SMART lets look at two characteristics our goals must have.
1. It must be a performance goal. Something we can control not something others control for you.
2. Our goals must be high enough that they encourage us to get better but realistic enough that we can achieve them.
When we look at these two factors we can start making SMART goals.
S- specific: be an honors graduate at basic.
M- measurable: I will have all of my 2,2,2's to max and learn something new everyday before leaving for basic.
A- achievable: I can reach this if I work hard.
R- realistic: many people have reached this goal and I know I can.
T- time-bound: I have until November 24 to push as hard as I can and then all of bootcamp to achieve this.
For me this is a short term goal because it will be happening so soon, but I do have long term goals. I want to be successful in the military, first as a combat medic and then as a nurse, once I get my degree. This is a huge goal but when I break it up into smaller goals, getting through AIT, getting into a nursing school, graduating nursing school, it doesn't seem like such an enormous task because right now I am just focused on getting through basic and AIT.
Through all of your goals you want to do the best you can but when we seek perfection we get discouraged. Instead of seeking perfection we need to see the progress we are making towards our goals because that will give us the confidence we need to succeed.
"It's all about the journey not the outcome."
-Carl Lewis
Last chapter Mack really focused on how goals are so important for success. This chapter he focuses on goals but how our goals need to be set. They tell you where you want to be in the future, which is great encouragement. Famous swim coach Dick Hannula said, "Goals keep people on target." When we set SMART goals it allows us to see the progress we are making which then gives us the self-confidence we need. Before we get to the acronym SMART lets look at two characteristics our goals must have.
1. It must be a performance goal. Something we can control not something others control for you.
2. Our goals must be high enough that they encourage us to get better but realistic enough that we can achieve them.
When we look at these two factors we can start making SMART goals.
S- specific: be an honors graduate at basic.
M- measurable: I will have all of my 2,2,2's to max and learn something new everyday before leaving for basic.
A- achievable: I can reach this if I work hard.
R- realistic: many people have reached this goal and I know I can.
T- time-bound: I have until November 24 to push as hard as I can and then all of bootcamp to achieve this.
For me this is a short term goal because it will be happening so soon, but I do have long term goals. I want to be successful in the military, first as a combat medic and then as a nurse, once I get my degree. This is a huge goal but when I break it up into smaller goals, getting through AIT, getting into a nursing school, graduating nursing school, it doesn't seem like such an enormous task because right now I am just focused on getting through basic and AIT.
Through all of your goals you want to do the best you can but when we seek perfection we get discouraged. Instead of seeking perfection we need to see the progress we are making towards our goals because that will give us the confidence we need to succeed.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Life gets busy but no excuses until basic so here are three chapters I didn't post otherwise it should be a daily thing until November 24th!
Mind Games: Getting Over Yourself
"I worked very hard. I felt I could play the game. The only thing that could stop me was myself."
-Jim Abbott
"This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows on us."
-Olga Korbut
This chapter really spoke to me because I have been known to play the poor me card. Right off the bat Mack says that to achieve anything in life we must get out of our own way. I have noticed that as I start to exercise and eat healthier again this is my problem. I want to sleep in until 10 and eat out a lot but I can't do that if I want to be a better me and be ready for basic. This also plays into feeling good about yourself, which makes you perform better. Cheating on workouts or diets makes you feel worse so there should be no desire to do this.
We all have gremlin's we face and Mack categorized these nasty guys into ten different groups.
1. Fear- The threat to your self image and nothing else. You think your failure will make people look at you with less respect, which then makes you feel worse about your own performance.
2. Anger- Based on frustrations and the failure of making the expectations from yourself and others.
3. Anxiety- Some people become anxious about being anxious.
4. Self-consciousness- Self image instead of task at hand. Again focusing on what other's think instead of what you need to accomplish.
5. Perfectionism- Parenting can play into this, if they wanted their children to be the best of the best, when they get older this can become a bigger problem.
6. Stubbornness- Not willing to take risks or make changes to step up to the next level.
7. Lack of motivation- Motivation must be a constant desire, and not just at the beginning of the journey.
8. Competitiveness- Must be competitive enough to compete but not so much that you discourage the ones around you to participate.
9. Distractions- "The rules don't apply to you" You feel as if you can do whatever you want but really all the extra negative stuff will keep you from your goal.
10. Persistence- You must look at set backs as opportunities.
We must evaluate these different gremlins in our lives and determine which ones are stronger so we can overcome them and become the best at whatever we are trying to become.
Mind Games: The Next Level
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
-Earl Weaver
"Build your weaknesses until they become your strengths."
-Knute Rockne
Mack learned the word maize when he was working for a team in Japan. It means constant daily learning and improvement. I think a lot of the time we get set in a routine that is so easy for us to go along with that we forget there is so much more to try to improve our selves. This can be with changing our workouts, trying new foods or even just changing the way we think about things. Mack poses to questions we should ask ourselves daily.
1. What can I learn today?
2. How can I become better tomorrow?
Our mind only works when we leave it open. We must be willing and ready to learn new things. These learning opportunities will allow us to strengthen our weakness. People will always find your weaknesses and play off of them. Playing volleyball has really allowed me to learn this. They have strong blockers but a weak back row with a hole on the right side, dump it there every time. I was known in serving to find the weakest passer and give it to her. People will do anything to get the advantage so you must make your weaknesses your strengths. Everyone in the army must take the PT test. 2, 2, 2 we call it at RSP. Two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two mile run. One of these is bound to be a weakness and most of the time it is the sit-ups or the run. I run half marathons so the run is actual my best and favorite one to do. The sit-ups and the push-ups I knew I would struggle with. I pushed myself before my first drill to build some upper body strength and I have gotten to where push-ups are a strength of mine. I am now trying to make sit-ups a strength as well. But I love to run and lift so when I work out I focus on those things and not my core, which I hate to work. Mack says it is in our human nature to work those things we know we are good at. But as everyone says we must see the worst parts of things in order for it to get better. We must make our weaknesses or strengths.
Mind Games: Good Enough to Dream
"You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world."
-Lou Holtz
"Be the dream."
-John Chaney
Dreaming is something a lot of people do and many times the question isn't the dream but how are you going to reach it. In this chapter Mack leads the reader to believe that that isn't always the case. Many times people are living in the now. They don't know what their future holds or what they want which can make accomplishing things now more challenging. He gave the example of Dwight Smith, who played for the Cubs. During an interview with Mack before playing for the Cubs, he told him he wanted to play baseball professionally, for the Cubs in fact, and someday perform the National Anthem at a game. He proceeded to sing it right then for Mack in that hotel room. That confidence in his four year plan got him just what he want. He played for the Cubs and sang the National Anthem at a game.
Mack describes people like Dwight to be PSO, or positive sensory oriented. They have very vivid imaginations and sensory rich dreams. They have dreams not ideas about how their future will be. They know what they want and they have the confidence and determination to achieve such things. Micheal Jordan said it best when he said, "...they create their own vision. They don't let anything or anyone distract them."
Mack says we must live backwards and create a future which we then live into. He gives us ACT to accomplish this.
A- Accept your present state.
C- Create your desired state.
T- Take the action necessary to reach that desired state.
Dreams aren't stupid. They are achievable if we just believe in the power of that dream.
Mind Games: Getting Over Yourself
"I worked very hard. I felt I could play the game. The only thing that could stop me was myself."
-Jim Abbott
"This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows on us."
-Olga Korbut
This chapter really spoke to me because I have been known to play the poor me card. Right off the bat Mack says that to achieve anything in life we must get out of our own way. I have noticed that as I start to exercise and eat healthier again this is my problem. I want to sleep in until 10 and eat out a lot but I can't do that if I want to be a better me and be ready for basic. This also plays into feeling good about yourself, which makes you perform better. Cheating on workouts or diets makes you feel worse so there should be no desire to do this.
We all have gremlin's we face and Mack categorized these nasty guys into ten different groups.
1. Fear- The threat to your self image and nothing else. You think your failure will make people look at you with less respect, which then makes you feel worse about your own performance.
2. Anger- Based on frustrations and the failure of making the expectations from yourself and others.
3. Anxiety- Some people become anxious about being anxious.
4. Self-consciousness- Self image instead of task at hand. Again focusing on what other's think instead of what you need to accomplish.
5. Perfectionism- Parenting can play into this, if they wanted their children to be the best of the best, when they get older this can become a bigger problem.
6. Stubbornness- Not willing to take risks or make changes to step up to the next level.
7. Lack of motivation- Motivation must be a constant desire, and not just at the beginning of the journey.
8. Competitiveness- Must be competitive enough to compete but not so much that you discourage the ones around you to participate.
9. Distractions- "The rules don't apply to you" You feel as if you can do whatever you want but really all the extra negative stuff will keep you from your goal.
10. Persistence- You must look at set backs as opportunities.
We must evaluate these different gremlins in our lives and determine which ones are stronger so we can overcome them and become the best at whatever we are trying to become.
Mind Games: The Next Level
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
-Earl Weaver
"Build your weaknesses until they become your strengths."
-Knute Rockne
Mack learned the word maize when he was working for a team in Japan. It means constant daily learning and improvement. I think a lot of the time we get set in a routine that is so easy for us to go along with that we forget there is so much more to try to improve our selves. This can be with changing our workouts, trying new foods or even just changing the way we think about things. Mack poses to questions we should ask ourselves daily.
1. What can I learn today?
2. How can I become better tomorrow?
Our mind only works when we leave it open. We must be willing and ready to learn new things. These learning opportunities will allow us to strengthen our weakness. People will always find your weaknesses and play off of them. Playing volleyball has really allowed me to learn this. They have strong blockers but a weak back row with a hole on the right side, dump it there every time. I was known in serving to find the weakest passer and give it to her. People will do anything to get the advantage so you must make your weaknesses your strengths. Everyone in the army must take the PT test. 2, 2, 2 we call it at RSP. Two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two mile run. One of these is bound to be a weakness and most of the time it is the sit-ups or the run. I run half marathons so the run is actual my best and favorite one to do. The sit-ups and the push-ups I knew I would struggle with. I pushed myself before my first drill to build some upper body strength and I have gotten to where push-ups are a strength of mine. I am now trying to make sit-ups a strength as well. But I love to run and lift so when I work out I focus on those things and not my core, which I hate to work. Mack says it is in our human nature to work those things we know we are good at. But as everyone says we must see the worst parts of things in order for it to get better. We must make our weaknesses or strengths.
Mind Games: Good Enough to Dream
"You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world."
-Lou Holtz
"Be the dream."
-John Chaney
Dreaming is something a lot of people do and many times the question isn't the dream but how are you going to reach it. In this chapter Mack leads the reader to believe that that isn't always the case. Many times people are living in the now. They don't know what their future holds or what they want which can make accomplishing things now more challenging. He gave the example of Dwight Smith, who played for the Cubs. During an interview with Mack before playing for the Cubs, he told him he wanted to play baseball professionally, for the Cubs in fact, and someday perform the National Anthem at a game. He proceeded to sing it right then for Mack in that hotel room. That confidence in his four year plan got him just what he want. He played for the Cubs and sang the National Anthem at a game.
Mack describes people like Dwight to be PSO, or positive sensory oriented. They have very vivid imaginations and sensory rich dreams. They have dreams not ideas about how their future will be. They know what they want and they have the confidence and determination to achieve such things. Micheal Jordan said it best when he said, "...they create their own vision. They don't let anything or anyone distract them."
Mack says we must live backwards and create a future which we then live into. He gives us ACT to accomplish this.
A- Accept your present state.
C- Create your desired state.
T- Take the action necessary to reach that desired state.
Dreams aren't stupid. They are achievable if we just believe in the power of that dream.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Life decisions change our perspective in life and my decision to become a member of the Army National Guard definitely has changed a lot. I have an amazing recruiter here in Normal and she gave me a book called Mind Gym by Gary Mack and David Casstevens. I've decided to read a chapter a day, along with my bible, just as a reflection everyday. As I have been reading though I have found lots of things in this book that could be helpful not only to myself but others looking to put more of a mental edge to their daily lives. This could make you want to read the book or, for many of my friends who don't like reading, make you come back and read my blog! After Mind Games I'm not quite sure what to read so if anyone has any suggestions you know how to reach me, but I would like to continue this until I leave in November. So hope you guys enjoy! If not....well too bad :)
Mind Games: Responsibility Psychology
"What has benefited me the most is learning I can't control what happens outside of my pitching"
-Greg Maddux
"My message is simple: take control of your life"
-Charles Barkley
This chapter was all about knowing what you can and can't control. At basic I'll be able to control how I perform but not the other people in my company. I want us all to succeed but that isn't going to be the case. Along with this we all have the RESPONSIBILITY to shape our life the way we want it to be. For those that played softball or baseball you can't blame the pitcher or the fielders for the loss. Its a team effort but you can take responsibility for how YOU performed and no one else. Mack says "Successful people take responsibility for themselves and their game." But this responsibility isn't in the actions you did during a play but more how you react to the situation. Do you shut down when you aren't performing as well as you would like or are you going to push through it and tell yourself you will do better. The mental game is huge while playing sports but we can use this mentality in daily life. Are you going to half ass your job because you haven't had a good day or are you going to give all you can because your job means something to someone. Are you going to let yourself get into a sucky relationship again or are you going wait for something better and be ok with that. We make decisions in life we have to take responsibility for because our decisions and how we react effects us our whole lives.
Mind Games: Responsibility Psychology
"What has benefited me the most is learning I can't control what happens outside of my pitching"
-Greg Maddux
"My message is simple: take control of your life"
-Charles Barkley
This chapter was all about knowing what you can and can't control. At basic I'll be able to control how I perform but not the other people in my company. I want us all to succeed but that isn't going to be the case. Along with this we all have the RESPONSIBILITY to shape our life the way we want it to be. For those that played softball or baseball you can't blame the pitcher or the fielders for the loss. Its a team effort but you can take responsibility for how YOU performed and no one else. Mack says "Successful people take responsibility for themselves and their game." But this responsibility isn't in the actions you did during a play but more how you react to the situation. Do you shut down when you aren't performing as well as you would like or are you going to push through it and tell yourself you will do better. The mental game is huge while playing sports but we can use this mentality in daily life. Are you going to half ass your job because you haven't had a good day or are you going to give all you can because your job means something to someone. Are you going to let yourself get into a sucky relationship again or are you going wait for something better and be ok with that. We make decisions in life we have to take responsibility for because our decisions and how we react effects us our whole lives.
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