This document discusses several mental strategies that can help improve performance for competitions and life challenges. These include mental imagery, where top competitors visualize scenarios and outcomes to prepare; self-talk, using positive self-statements; personal mantras, short phrases that promote positive thinking; and controlling body language. The document encourages reflecting on weaknesses and overcoming barriers, then applying these mental techniques with specifics relevant to the individual's topic.

2. Learning Objectives
 I can develop and apply strategies that will
help me prepare and perform for
competitions & life.
 We are learning a few strategies that can be
used to improve our mental states when
challenging ourselves.
 We are learning this because we all can be
more prepared and positive in our lives.
 We are hoping to be able to apply these
strategies to our lives.

3. Personal Reflection
 What are your psychological
weaknesses in regards to your topic?
 What steps do you take to overcome
those mental barriers?

4. Mental Imagery
 Top competitors construct and rehearse
scenarios in their heads concerning the
outcomes of their actions in order to
gain insight into how to best execute
those outcomes.

5. Mental Imagery
 Specific Imagery: Focusing on specific
skills associated with your topic.
 General Imagery: rehearsal of game
plans, strategies, and routines.
 Motivational Specific Imagery: Imagining
Outcome Goals and the activities
necessary to achieve those goals.

6. Self-Talk
 Self-Talk is your internal dialogue with
yourself as you move through your day.
The way you talk to yourself can impact
your performance on stressful tasks, the
way you perceive yourself, and the way
you interact with others.
 Avoid Negative Self-Talk
 Use “You” instead of “I”
 “I can’t do this.” vs. “You are strong.”
 Write three specific self-talk phrases
that you can use during your topic.

7. Personal Mantra
 Mantras: Short words or phrases that
help focus the mind and promote
positive thinking.
 “The Strong Get Stronger.”
 “One Punch, One Round.”
 “Define Yourself.”
 “Be Water.”
 “Think Strong, Be Strong, Finish Strong.”
 “One Dream.”

8. Personal Mantra
 Identify the time in your life where you felt
most confident, proud, and successful.
 Identify 3-5 characteristics that you showed
at that time.
 Use one of those words to create a short
phrase that summarizes this feeling.
 Create a Personal Mantra Bumper Sticker.

9. Body Language
 Your Body Language Shapes Who You
Are.

10. What Do These Athletes Have
in Common?

11. Mindfulness in Sports
 The Power of the Mind: NBA
 George Mumford: The Mindful Coach
 Phil Jackson (12 x NBA Champion) on
Mindfulness