Master YOUR mental game... for absolutely anything YOU do
- David Archer
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By Dave Archer
Success in any competitive environment depends largely on how well you manage your mental game. Hopefully before the Inner Idiot in me takes over. Or any last minute "Inner Demon Appearances" show up... what are you doing? you're not good enough? you certainly do not deserve this stage? no one will like your material... ooooo... oh dave get off the stage.... one day I learned to silence that Demon.
It began when my anger management therapist said; stand, relax, hands at your side, now, Breath IN courage (he did this exercise with me), 5 seconds to Inhale Courage. Draw in your breath calmly, and controlled, 5 seconds to Breath IN Courage. Whatever your good thoughts are, it is time to summon them... and now, for 5 seconds, EXhale FEAR! GET OUT!
Do it until your thoughts and your heart rate in sync.... low heart rate, little to no thinking....
A Tranquil Mind Is The First Requisite For Good Judgment
Get into that Tranquil State for good decision making purposes. Have your game plan for the day, for the week, the month, the year, 3 years? The non wavering passion each day to take another step towards conquering this goal... being disciplined, you have support, associates, friends, or your alone and comfortable being alone, and welcome company when ready.
We can smell success in the moment. You plan for and accept that glitches will happen and we allow success to happen. You don't or no longer sabotage your own success. You remain focused. Disciplined. Why? Because winning is so much more fun than losing.
Whether you are self-employed or working as an employee, understanding and controlling our own performance is key to reaching our fullest potential.
The audio-book; Develop Your Eh! Game, by me, narrated by me, Dave Archer (which 98% is the voice over of the unabridged version of the 1999 publication "The (9) Principles of Self Management - keys to personal and professional success, by Dr. John C. Marshall, PhD.
It offers a practical approach to ritualistically achieving any short and longer term goals through time tested, tangible results. Whatever your definition of success by focusing on nine psychological principles that anyone can apply to improve mental toughness, emotional stability, and overall performance. This post explores these principles and how they can help you master your mental game.
Develop Your Eh! Game... best way of all ... all yah gotta do is listen!
FREE - 33 Minutes - Managing Self Confidence
Understanding Human Performance in Competitive Settings
Performance is often measured by results, but the real measure lies in how you handle the process. The shift from a self-employed mindset to an employee mindset involves recognizing what you can control: your effort, attitude, and mental approach. This mindset shift is crucial because it moves focus away from external factors and toward internal control.
In competitive environments, your mental state influences your physical output. For example, a salesperson who controls their emotions and stays confident during a tough negotiation will likely perform better than one who reacts impulsively. The same applies to athletes, freelancers, or anyone facing challenges.
The 9 Psychological Principles to Control Your Mental Game
1. Focus
Focus means directing your attention to what matters most. It involves filtering out distractions and staying present in the moment. Practicing focus helps you maintain clarity and make better decisions under pressure.
2. Emotional Stability
Emotional stability allows you to remain calm and composed, even when situations become stressful. This principle helps prevent emotional reactions that can cloud judgment or lead to poor choices.
3. Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is the ability to persist through setbacks and challenges without losing confidence or motivation. It builds resilience and helps you bounce back stronger after failures.
4. Self-Confidence
Believing in your abilities is essential for peak performance. Self-confidence encourages you to take risks and face challenges head-on, knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.
5. Empathy
Understanding others’ feelings and perspectives improves communication and teamwork. Empathy helps you build stronger relationships, which can be a competitive advantage in many fields.
6. Easy to Anger
Recognizing if you are quick to anger is important because anger can sabotage your performance. Learning to manage this tendency helps maintain control and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
7. Ability to Forgive
Forgiving yourself and others frees you from negative emotions that can weigh you down. This principle promotes mental clarity and emotional freedom, allowing you to focus on growth.
8. Reasonable Yet Principled
Balancing reason with strong principles means making decisions based on logic while staying true to your values. This balance prevents you from compromising your integrity under pressure.
9. Continuous Improvement
Applying known improvement tips from top sports psychology, such as visualization, goal setting, and positive self-talk, supports ongoing growth. These techniques reinforce the other principles and help you maintain peak performance.
Practical Ways to Apply These Principles
Daily Reflection: Spend a few minutes each day reviewing your emotional responses and mental focus. Identify moments when you succeeded or struggled and plan how to improve.
Visualization Exercises: Imagine yourself performing well in challenging situations. This mental rehearsal builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable goals that align with your values. Break them into smaller steps to maintain motivation.
Practice Forgiveness: When mistakes happen, consciously choose to forgive and learn from them instead of dwelling on failure.
Develop Empathy: Listen actively to others and try to understand their viewpoints, which can improve collaboration and reduce conflicts.
Why This Matters for Self-Employed and Employees Alike
Whether you run your own business or work for someone else, controlling your mental game is a competitive edge. Self-employed individuals often face uncertainty and pressure to perform consistently. Employees may deal with workplace stress and performance evaluations. In both cases, mastering these psychological principles helps you stay grounded, focused, and resilient.
Develop Your Eh! Game provides an accessible way to learn and apply these principles through audio lessons, making it easy to integrate into your daily routine. The focus on things you can control empowers you to take charge of your performance regardless of external circumstances.
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