"Fast-track
to fast success"
Success
is a mind game. Sports Psychologist Andy Barton shows you how to get
gold in life, love and the locker room, with confidence coaching for
champs.
Find your flow
"In sport we talk about a 'flow state' when a sportsperson is in their 'zone' and truly focused on the task," says Barton. When we're in stressful situations, we're liable to become self-conscious and lose that mindset. "I try to get athletes to concentrate on their breathing, relax and trust their bodies." The same principle applies at work. If you're giving a talk, don't worry about what you're going to say - breathe, focus and trust your mouth.
Eyes ahead
Sportspeople frequently battle with competitive anxiety, but it's energy wasted. "Worrying that number seven is faster than you means you're not concentrating on your own performance says Barton. Similarly, worrying about his ex means you're not focusing on your assets. Fix on your strengths and don't look over your - or his - shoulder.
Walk like a champ
"When we're nervous we project insecurity," says Barton. So don't ask for a pay rise while casting your eyes downwards and biting your nails. Look to the body language of champions. "When Venus Williams walks onto a tennis court, she's upright and confident, with a relaxed strength." Mimic that - stand tall, shoulders back, eyes looking upwards - and you'll have yourself and your boss convinced.
PEP talk
"The language we use really matters," says Barton. Use Performance Engineering Programming - flooding your mind with positive messages - to PEP talk your success. Don't think, 'I'm going to blush or stutter when I address the meeting.' Do think, 'I'm really looking forward to putting my ideas across.' One mindset will empty rooms; the other will fill stadiums.
Tanis Taylor
