Many athletes think that because they are an exceptional college athlete, that it will translate into success and riches at the next level. The higher the level you are playing at in athletics, the more important the mental aspect of your game comes into play. I could list umpteen examples of physically dominant college athletes that didn't stick at the pro level. The reason this happens so often is that once they reach the next level, their physical advantage has diminished, and by itself, it is no longer enough to keep them on top.
The higher the level of competition, the more separation you get in having a mental advantage. Most athletes are in the habit of working hard physically to stay on top, but once you reach the highest level in your sport you come face to face with the law of diminishing returns when it comes to what you can influence with your fitness level.
Conversely, those who transition into or have already started working on their mental game, gain a significant advantage as the mental side is still hugely under exploited in a majority of pro sports and especially in professional football. Just as physical ability can be developed and improved upon, so can your mental game.
So why don't more athletes dedicate themselves to mental training? Just like working out physically, effective mental training takes a considerable amount of time and discipline. You would not expect to be in top physical condition working out a few times a month, would you? Working out mentally is no different; you get out of it what you put into it.
Starting a mental training regimen can be difficult and even feel awkward initially, but once you make it a habit and begin to see the benefits, it can be a lot more fun than weight training. It is also likely to give you a much bigger edge over your competitors than weight training. I'm not saying this replaces weight and other training regimens, just that it will help separate you from the crowd more than other forms of training at this level.
I always like to say that if you don't like being stuck in crowds.... go the extra mile, it's never crowded there! Adding mental training to your daily workout regimen is like going the extra mile, and that is what will enable you to gain a substantial edge over your competition.
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Sam Obitz is a leader in the use and development of mental skills that help you achieve peak performance. Visit The Mind Side Blog at http://supertao.com/category/the-mind-side-blog/
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