The “Head Edge”
Major League Baseball Hall of Fame player Yogi Berra once said that “90% of the game is half mental.” Have you ever thought about how this famous “Yogi-ism” applies to your “game,” whether it is a sport, music, speech, drama, or debate? Once you reach a certain level of skill and ability, the mental skills impact performance as much (or more) than anything else. “If you believe the difference between your best and worst performance was, as Yogi said, at least 50% mental, then how much time do you spend on the mental game?” Research shows that mental training enhances performance, improves productivity, and boosts enjoyment. Regardless of your age or endeavor, your mind can be your most important tool to unlock your full potential and to sustain optimal performance. The quest for inner excellence is a process and requires significant dedication, perseverance, and energy. Developing “mental muscle” is like building physical muscle in that it calls for hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. The bottom line is that the more you focus on the inner game, the more it will improve the outer game. Obtaining the skills, abilities, and mindsets necessary to achieve the ideal mental state will enable you to perform at your optimal level.
Luke MacLean
Annandale Middle School and High School Activities Director
Source: Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack with David Casstevens
Major League Baseball Hall of Fame player Yogi Berra once said that “90% of the game is half mental.” Have you ever thought about how this famous “Yogi-ism” applies to your “game,” whether it is a sport, music, speech, drama, or debate? Once you reach a certain level of skill and ability, the mental skills impact performance as much (or more) than anything else. “If you believe the difference between your best and worst performance was, as Yogi said, at least 50% mental, then how much time do you spend on the mental game?” Research shows that mental training enhances performance, improves productivity, and boosts enjoyment. Regardless of your age or endeavor, your mind can be your most important tool to unlock your full potential and to sustain optimal performance. The quest for inner excellence is a process and requires significant dedication, perseverance, and energy. Developing “mental muscle” is like building physical muscle in that it calls for hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. The bottom line is that the more you focus on the inner game, the more it will improve the outer game. Obtaining the skills, abilities, and mindsets necessary to achieve the ideal mental state will enable you to perform at your optimal level.
Luke MacLean
Annandale Middle School and High School Activities Director
Source: Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack with David Casstevens