It's Just An Arena (prep for important competitions)
How many times have you told yourself its just another arena when the nerves are getting the better of you at an important competition?
Is it so important? When we give importance to a competition, it has the capacity to change how we feel. If we don’t win we might think we will look stupid or worse still it might show us what we already knew - we are not good enough. These thoughts change our emotional balance causing the fight, flight or freeze mechanism to make us feel like a victim.
Don’t be a victim, try this instead:
Drop the win or lose mentality.
Focus on what you have practiced in training, this is your process.
Mentally rehearse your test; imagine being on your horse riding the test.
Love your horse and enjoy your moment.
No failure only feedback - evaluate your test based on your process not on the score or place.
Winning and Losing: The Mentality Shift
In today's competitive world, "win or lose" mentality is deeply ingrained in our society. From sports to business, the desire to come out on top can often overshadow everything else. However, let us think differently about what it means to win.
Rather than viewing success as the end result, consider the journey taken to get there. By thinking in this way it helps us to see that failure is not the opposite of success, but a part of it. Instead of fearing defeat, we learn to embrace it as a valuable learning experience.
This shift has significant implications for personal and professional development. By focusing on growth rather than simply winning, we can cultivate resilience, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. This approach also fosters a healthier mindset, reducing the detrimental effects of constant stress and pressure.
Rather than "win or lose" , think "grow and learn" ; it's about striving for excellence while recognizing that setbacks are an integral part of the process. By embracing this shift, we can not only achieve our goals but also find fulfillment and meaning along the way.