Monthly Archive for July, 2023

Many young men and women athletes think that given the goodness of their training and having also understood that the mental component of sports performance is a relevant aspect, they believe that these conditions are sufficient to deliver high-level performance. They have a very scholastic conception of improvement, along the lines of “I did what I was told and, therefore, I will now achieve the results to which I aspire.” Unfortunately, those who think this way are setting themselves up to hit a wall!

They have not understood that the outstanding achievements and feats accomplished by the great athletes they admire come from gradual improvement over the years and depend on these key reasons:

1. Consistent training: Successful athletes devote much time and effort to consistent training. Through regular and repetitive practice, they can improve their technical skills, physical strength, agility, and endurance. This constant training allows them to hone their skills and reach ever higher levels of performance.
2. Experience: Experience plays a key role in athletes’ success. Over the years, athletes go through various competitions, compete against opponents of different levels, and face different challenges. These experiences enable them to gain specific knowledge and skills that help them improve and overcome future obstacles. They learn from their mistakes and develop better strategies for dealing with similar situations in the future.
3. Gradual Progression: Athletes usually start their careers at lower levels and build a solid foundation of skills and achievements. As they achieve positive results at the local or regional level, they can progress to increasingly competitive competitions, such as national or international championships. This gradual process allows them to gradually adapt to higher levels of competition and improve their performance over time.
4. Mental Adaptation: In addition to the physical aspect, athletes must also develop a winning, growth-oriented mindset. Over the years, they learn how to handle pressure, maintain concentration, and overcome mental difficulties that hinder performance. Through the experience and support of coaches or mental coaches, they develop the tenacity, grit, and determination needed to face increasingly difficult challenges.
5. Innovation and technological advances: In the world of sports, there are continuous technological advances and innovations that can help optimize performance. Successful athletes are often open to adopting new tools, methodologies, and technologies that can help them improve their performance. These advances are often gradually integrated into their training and preparation.
6. Managing their private and social lives: The public image of champions has increasing relevance and can influence one’s mental state and performance. Athletes are asked to be role models for the young people who admire them, to know how to manage their private lives, and above all not to be dominated by social media and those who are waiting for nothing more than to attack them in hateful ways. It is a new condition generated by the constant use of smartphones, instagram and other socials that makes champions much closer to their audience but also vulnerable to any kind of criticism that easily goes viral, producing even serious psychological issues.

In summary, the outstanding achievements of successful athletes come from constant commitment, accumulated experience over time, gradual progress, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement. Through consistent commitment over time, athletes can achieve levels of excellence and accomplish extraordinary feats.