Athletes spend countless hours perfecting their physical training and preparing for the final competition. But does it end there? One after another, it’s an ongoing lifetime process that can take a toll on their mental health. This is why training their mind is as important as their physically training their body.

In the end, it’s all about focus. The more attentive they are, the better their performance. If you’re wondering how they do it, here’s everything you need to know:

Technique

If you start focusing on winning and losing, you’ll get distracted from the end goal, which is to perform at the best of your capability. That’s why athletes learn to ignore all the factors they have no control over, such as terrain or the weather. Instead, they focus on the things they can control, such as identifying their competitor’s strengths and then giving their best.

Understanding Stress

Stress can be very beneficial for us when we deal with it the right way. Most people see stress as something that works against them, but when received in small doses, it can help increase your performance, energize you, and give you an adrenaline rush. What’s important here is not to let stress consume you or cause anxiety.

Visualize Your Win

There are many talented athletes who practice visualization before a competition. When you envision potential scenarios and how they can affect you, it helps your mind be prepared for any challenge thrown your way. It gives you time to prepare how you plan on responding to the issue, which decreases the downtime and allows you to react quickly.

Pre-Event Environment

Before the big day, it’s all about preparing yourself for what’s coming next. Some people enjoy listening to loud and pumping music, while others need encouragement from their fans. Then some people like to sit peacefully and meditate to regain their focus. Find out what works for you and practice it before the big day, whether it’s a big meeting or your competition.

Positive Self-Talk

Before the big day, the narrative in your mind should be purposeful and mindful. Tell yourself that no matter what happens out there, you’ll do your best. If you win, that’s great; if you don’t, that’s also great. Don’t set yourself down. It’s good to set high standards but don’t set unrealistic standards that can take you down when things go otherwise. No matter how high your fans or family think of you, nothing matters if you don’t believe in yourself.

Self-Awareness

Being in touch with your real self-matters. Understand your mind and body and see what works out for you, de-stresses you, or helps you relax. Keep a journal and log your thoughts. These things will help you learn about yourself and improve as a human.

I am Akwasi Frimpong, and this is how I prepared myself for my Olympic game in 2018. I am Ghana’s first skeleton Olympic athlete who had the privilege to present my country at the biggest sports event in the world. Today, I am a proud athlete entrepreneur and an athlete motivational speaker.

These little habits I picked while training for the Olympics can help you in many aspects of life. Visit my website to learn more.