How can athletes improve mental clarity?

Have you ever had so much going on that you feel like you aren’t yourself because you’re just trying to keep up? Have you gone through a stressful time and felt unclear and disconnected as a result? Athletes have a ton of pressure inside of their sport but also in their personal lives. When the two collide, it can result in muddied thinking. To be successful as an athlete, you have to have a clear mind. The same can be said of being a business owner, or any other life venture. 

Take a Step Back to Get Clear

I was on a video call with a client the other day; we’ll call him Sam. He’s a former athlete who is starting a new business. We had spent weeks going over his messaging, branding, outreach strategy, and most importantly, working through mindset blocks. On this day, Sam was excitedly telling me all about his potential first deal. He spoke fast and hardly made eye contact with me. It was uncharacteristic for this young man who is otherwise laid back. 

I’m an empath so part of my charm as a coach is picking up on vibrations and feelings from my clients. As I listened to him, I felt disconnected from the deal he spoke so excitedly about, and I wondered if he did too. As the conversation progressed, I asked him questions about the company and the offer. As he answered my questions, Sam became aware that he actually didn’t know much about it at all but the money had the potential to be good.

The problem was clear. His unusual demeanor was because he felt pressure to get the first deal done. He was focusing only on money, rather than focusing on if he first felt aligned with the business and the offering. As we talked through this, I reminded him that it’s okay to take a step back before making a decision. Ask more questions and take the time to evaluate if it feels right to you or not.

When your perspective isn’t clear—especially when you have a lot of different things going on—you’re not making the best decisions possible.

How Athletes Can Improve Mental Clarity – Mind, Body, and Soul Tips

Body: Get proper nutrition and rest. From nutrition to sleep, the little decisions that you make throughout the day, affect your overall mental clarity. Make a log of what you eat and drink each day, your quality of sleep, your periods of rest, and make a note of how you feel each day. See if you can start to figure out patterns. For example, maybe having caffeine or sugar late in the afternoon or evening is keeping you up at night and so you’re not fully rested, and therefore not as mentally clear as you could be.

Soul: When is the last time you connected with your soul? When your schedule is packed and you’re trying to keep up with demands, the last thing on your mind might be nurturing your soul. However, this can keep you from being mentally clear because when your mind, body, and soul are disconnected, your authenticity and gifts are compromised. Step back and give yourself a break to nurture your soul. Where do you feel the most connected? Do more of that. The more balanced you are, the better you’ll perform. 

Keys to the Game

• Get quiet and still so you can check-in with yourself. How aligned are you?
• Taking a step back doesn’t mean you’re losing progress. It does, however, give you the opportunity to get clear.
• Take a holistic view of your mind, body, and soul. Are you nurturing each so that you can be the best version of yourself?

Want more help with improving your mental clarity? Would you like a workshop for your team or organization? Contact me.