When I first started training the mind I wanted to jump into the most complex subject and that was trying to change and optimise my self concept, who I was and my ego. In body fitness terms this is like walking into the gym and trying to lift a weight or run a time that would come after years of strength or marathon training. As you may expect, I couldn’t seem to grasp it or achieve what I wanted to. This then led to thoughts of “It’s too hard for me” I would then park it for a while and come back a few months later in which the same result occurred. We all want optimal performance now, not later but reality is that you need to build the muscle gradually. In mind training it starts with recognising what simulations are running through your mind. Once you can see, hear the simulations then you can train in editing or changing focus. Progressive overload is the key but you must start at a place that allows progression.

The mind creates simulations of the past, present and future. These simulations shape how you feel. How you feel shapes how you behave. How you behave shapes your outcomes. RISE27 trains you to recognise the simulation, intend the better behaviour, shape the state, and execute proof in the real world.

Are you physically working 5 days a week but mentally working 6 days!? Most people look forward to the weekend and usually enjoy Saturday, however, when it comes to Sunday, especially in the afternoon, people are thinking about Monday and that they have to go back to work. Physically they are off work and have a potential 24 hours left before they need to start work again but mentally they are at work with simulations of the work environment, the emails that need sending, the difficult conversations, the meetings. The body reacts to what the mind shows and says to it so even though it’s not physically at work the body creates feelings as if they are actually there. The ‘day of rest’ is an extra work day and robbing people of time earned with family, friends, essentially time off work. If you are feeling negative or anxious on a Sunday, recognise what is going on in your mind, then when you can see or hear what the body is reacting to, you can change it. If you’re struggling to recognise the simulations creating negativity then just create new ones. Imagine it’s Saturday or that you’re on holiday for another week. Change your external environment with distraction by putting on music that you like, a film or going for a walk. Sitting in your thoughts about work and letting them take control is going to rob you of your last day off.

Sports professionals that are performing at the top of their game don’t need to consciously think about their performance or skill level when competing and this is due to hours of constant practise on the training ground. This constant training allows the skill set to sink into the unconscious (just like when driving a car). Would Messi, Nadal or Bolt also expect to break world records and become the number 1 in their sport by only training a couple of times or when they thought their performance could be improved? No, that would be crazy. This is the same for mindset training! If you want to achieve the best behaviour and mindset in any situation then you should be doing so unconsciously, not thinking about what to do next whilst in the moment. Through multiple training sessions, just like sports Pros, you can uncover and recognise what is going on in your mind, then adapt and train it all on the training ground so when it comes to game day or important meeting the skills are already in place. Set aside 15-20minutes each day for a mindset training session that will allow you to improve what is going on under the hood before the big competition.