When you consider your best performance compared to your worst performance how much of the difference is attributable to your physical performance versus your mental performance? The answer is, as Yogi Berra once famously said, "Ninety percent of the game is half mental." as delightfully confusing as that might be he was right - all successful competition is won or lost in the mind.
Studies have continually shown that mental training not only enhances performance but it also improves your productivity and just as importantly your enjoyment. Mindset coaching enables you to more constructively use your mind to improve your performance. It helps athletes stay focused, learn to deal with adversity and stay motivated during difficult times.
Doing this requires time and effort just as it does for building muscles and the more you work on your inner game the more it shows in the outer one. What it takes is determination and commitment to improve and succeed. As I've mentioned previously, this is essential for riders who have to be mentally disciplined so as to improve the harmony they want to have with their horse for optimal performance.
Without including mental development as part of your training you're only working on half of the system. Without it you can easily fall victim to fear, perfectionism, anxiety, mental self-sabotage and all the other performance mental issues that plague every athlete. The mind can do amazing things, but if the wrong programs are running the show, then is will be a constant uphill battle to try and improve and achieve the results you are looking for.
It does take time and effort, but in the end it's worth it because it's the only way to achieve excellence in your sport and without it the higher levels of performance and enjoyment that should be part of sports will forever elude you.Â