Tight Mind Monday: Raise Your Grit Factor
Doc Ali’s Tight Mind Monday 1-16-17: GRIT
There has been a lot of buzz recently about the word grit, especially since current research has shown grit to be a key factor in success – even more than intelligence or raw talent. This Tight Mind Monday will focus on what grit is and ways we can create more of it in the gym.
Grit is passion and perseverance toward our short and long-term goals. It can be described as being resilient, relentless, unstoppable, going all out and being all in. Here are some.
Tight Mind Tools to help raise your grit factor:
1. Grit is fueled by your goals. On a bad day, when you need to dig deep, keep stating your goal over and over again inside your head. This will help you stay focused on what you really want.
2. Everyday, on every turn, focus on giving 5% more than you did before. Just 5%. 5% tighter, more focused or more committed to correction. When you “find the 5” inside of yourself, it will help you break out of comfort zones and take your gymnastics to the next level.
3. Surround yourself with your “grit posse”. We all do better when we are cheered on by teammates and coaches. Also, form a “gritty committee” inside your head. When you need to get gritty, talk tough to yourself. Say phrases like, “push through, you can do this, just keep going.
4. Finally, people with grit see all failure or adversity as opportunities for growth. They don’t use failures to beat themselves up but as learning opportunities and a way to become stronger and better. Decide today that you use all adversity as fuel.
This week, we all are going to “get gritty with it”, and if we fall down 6 times, we’ll get up 7. That’s GRIT!
Alison Arnold Ph.D. has been a mental toughness consultant to USA Gymnastics since 1997. If you have questions or want more information about her work go to www.headgamesworld.com