Visualizing Success

There are stories about Dallas Mavericks all-star player Dirk Nowitzki talking about working with a mental health coach to help him minimize anxiety and develop the mental toughness needed to sustain a long career. “It really helps the young guys - I mean he help me when I was young,” he said to a reporter.

Another NBA player, Antawn Jamison, played for 15+ years in the pro league and said his team’s sport psychologist helped him communicate with his coach better and importantly deal with the ups and down of playing.

Jamison said he struggled to deal with being away from my family and friends and not understanding where the coach was coming from. “I had a guy who really was there for me to deal with the ups and downs.”

Most tennis players and other pro athletes suggest the most important way to be mentally prepared for athletic competition is to spend a lot of time visualizing beforehand - not just “during the shot" or “in the game", but earlier in the day. Swimmer Michael Phelps did this regularly.

“I’d visualize how I want the race to go, and how I don’t want it to go - so I was ready, either way,” the Olympian said.

The late Kobe Bryant said his success largely stemmed from daily, consistent medication. “I did 15 minutes of mindfulness medication early in the day to give me an anchor so I wouldn’t chase the day…not that you are calling the shots on what comes forward, but then I’m at least set and ready and can be calm.”