This past weekend I worked with a young athlete in a way most coaches don’t quite understand.
Unlike almost ALL coaches – the Fure-cat does things a bit different.
There’s next to no talk about mechanics or HOW to do the skills the youhg man has already been taught.
Instead, my focus is on getting him to do what he’s already learned how to do – over and over again. On command. With ease. With relaxation. With next to no effort.
And perhaps most importantly – without thinking.
That’s right. WITHOUT THINKING.
This may be the first time you’ve heard such “heresy” – but what I’ve discovered over the years is this: Thinking is over-rated. Thinking interferes with your performance. Thinking makes you… think – instead of spontaneously acting.
Yes, I realize that being spontaneous 100% of the time is probably NOT a good idea. I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t be a thinker or a non-thinker 100% of the time.
What I’m saying is this: If you’re struggling, if you’re having a tough time, you’re probably thinking more than doing – and this pattern needs to change if you’re ever going to get anywhere.
In my work, I’ve proven to my clients, that by changing your mental pictures – you change how you feel, how you act, how you move your body – and most importantly, the results you get in life.
But wait a minute, isn’t picturing something in your mind “thinking?”
No, it’s not.
Thinking is a left-brain linear, rational. logical way of being. In the left brain, you don’t picture goals, use your imagination, construct mental movies and amplify your emotions.
So mental picturing is not thinking in the typical sense of the word.
Consider this for a moment. In a child’s first five years of existence, he or she usually learns MORE than the rest of his life combined.
And ALL the learning was done without trying. There was zero effort attached to it. Baby saw – baby got an image in mind – baby imitated.
Baby imagined – baby did.
It often happened quickly, spontaneously.
Babies can learn multiple languages simultaneously – without you “trying” to help them learn. Babies are literal sponges who effortlessly absorb the good, the great – and the not so good.
Then the adults come along and train the baby out of the child – and he most likely suffers the rest of his life because of it.
Baby came into the whirld breathing from the lower belly, relaxed and free of tension.
By age five, that’s no longer the case.
Baby came into the whirld with endless possibilities. By agefive, we’ve narrowed things down dramatically.
And we’ve forgotten . or most likely never learned, how our brain and central nervous system work to bring us the results we’re getting in our lives.
We think words are most important. But they’re not – and that’s saying a lot because I use words for a living.
What is most important then?
Images and emotions.
They precede language. That’s why our brain responds to them FASTER than anything else.
Look at it this way: Our muscles don’t understand language. Our biceps doesn’t understand English, or Chinese, or Spanish or Pig Latin.
So I’m working with the athlete. What do you think I’m teaching him?
Same thing I’m teaching those I coach in the art of writing – or in business.
If you can form a mental picture of what you want to do or be – and if you can see and feel yourself doing it – and if you’re willing to act to get what you want – then chances are dramatically increased in your favor.
Is success guaranteed?
No.
But so long as you’ve chosen a goal that is within the realm of the possible for you (me being 7’0″ tall and playing in the NBA was not within the realm of the possible), your chances of success go UP in a BIG WAY.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a mental image of what you want, an image that is amplified with emotion – then your
chances of succeeding are ZERO.
ZERO even if the goal is achievable.
ZERO even if you have the ability.
ZERO even if you have the smarts, know-how, brain-power, etc.
ZERO even if you have mentors and coaches.
ZERO even if you have a library of how-to on the subject..
This is why I say the mental image of what you want comes first. And if you don’t have it, you better get it – and NOW – or quit deluding yourself into thinking you’re gonna make it someday.
You’re NOT – UNLESS YOU change the way you SEE yourself.
This is why Theatre of the Mind is the most important program I’ve ever created.
It gives you the tools to condition your brain for success by working on the most important factor first.
All the hard work in the world, all the thinking – won’t amount to a hill of coffee beans if you don’t see yourself where you want to be first.
Note: We currently have 50 copies of Theatre of the Mind that we’re making available for $40 off the usual amount. Latch onto your copy today and change your life for the better.
Yours,
Matt Furey
P.S. There’s a bonus that comes with Theatre of the Mind that will help you change your mental pictures with ease. Go for it.
