As you probably know, one of my favorite athletic mental coaches is Dr. Patrick Cohn of Peak Sports Performance. Dr. Cohn is a sports psychologist out of Orlando Florida.
He’s always preaching about mental toughness – as well as the techniques athletes can use to grasp it.
He sent out an e-mail blast recently that I’ve posted below regarding achieving next-level performance…
How do you go from good to great as a ballplayer? Many players “want” to be better, but their “want” doesn’t lead to action.
You could have the best coach in the world, surrounded by talented teammates, work out with the latest equipment, and dream big dreams, but mere desire never yields positive results alone.
You, of course, need some level of ability. Desire is also important; you need to be passionate about lifting your game. However, raising your game requires instruction, direction, action, and evaluation.
Unfortunately, many players stop at the “desire” stage. Words without actions keep you stuck in a rut.
The 6 Stages of Next Level Performance
1. Passion – When you are passionate about becoming a better pitcher, making a college team, breaking into the starting lineup, or raising your batting average, you can stay motivated to see yourself through the ups and downs.
2. Goal – Passion is desire. However, a goal is a target, something specific you want to achieve. When your goal is clear and specific, you can determine if your plan or actions are on track for achieving your objective.
3. Instruction – You should have someone knowledgeable you can rely on for teaching, coaching, or advising you, such as a coach, elite player, or mental game coach.
4. Direction – You need a plan, plain and simple. A plan is a roadmap that directs you towards your goal.
5. Action – You must act on your plan, not just once in a while or when you feel like working. You must put into action your plan each day.
6. Evaluation – This step is often neglected. Some players give up before evaluating or adjusting their plans when necessary. When you objectively assess your progress, you are more apt to push through the struggle during the season.
When you put into play these six steps, you will accomplish more as an athlete.
You can find out more about Dr. Cohn here – and his blog is here. I’d encourage you to visit his site and read more!
