Think for a moment about one of your all-time greatest performances...  What were you thinking about before you competed?  How would you describe your mindset?  Were you calm or pumped, silly or serious, relaxed or intense?  How were you thinking and feeling while you were competing?  What were you focused on?  Where was your confidence level?  What did you do when obstacles and adversity came your way?
 To perform at your peak, you must understand the mindset that works best for you.  While every student-athlete is a bit different, there are certain common ways of thinking that are associated with peak performance, or being ìIn the Zoneî as it is sometimes called.

Being "In the Zone"
* focused on the present
*  process focused vs. outcome focused
*  positive expectations
*  confident in your abilities
*  in control of yourself
*  calm, clear mind
*  energized, yet relaxed body
*  aggressive, go for it attitude

After looking over the characteristics of peak performance, answer these three questions:
  1.  Do you know the mindset that works best for you heading into big games, tough tests/exams, important presentations, and stressful job and grad school interviews?
  2.  Do you know how to create this mindset before itís time to perform under pressure?
  3.  Can you quickly regain this mindset after making a mistake, becoming distracted, or getting criticized by your coach?
 If you answered ìNoî or ìI donít knowî to any of these questions you are limiting yourself and your chances for success.
 Successful student-athletes understand the unique mindset that gives them the best chance of being successful.  Not only do they understand this mindset, but they also know how to consistently create this mindset for themselves before practices and games.  Further, they know how to get themselves back on track mentally despite distractions, mistakes, or slumps.
 To learn more about how you can discover, create and regain your peak performance mindset, stop by and see me (Jeff Janssen) in room 109L, e-mail me at jjanssen@u.arizona.edu, or call me at 621-6845.  By winning the mental battles inside your head, you give yourself a much better chance of winning the outer battles with your opponents and grades.
 

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