Thursday, 7 August 2008

Getting out of the way (Part 1)

Few days ago Michael Phelps was asked what goes on in his mind when he hits the water. He simply said "nothing", just totally "in the Zone" as he glides pass his competition. A multiple world record holder, Phelps is expected to win many gold medals in the Beijing Olympics. He's competing in eight swimming events, and no one has ever won more than seven gold medals (in a single games). The world is expecting him to make history and to be the best ever.

I marvel at how athletes like Michael Phelps handle pressure. I'm talking about immense pressure to perform. How do they shut out everyone and every distraction to perform at their very best? Tiger Woods has a laser-beam like focus, also known as the "Tiger Trance". He also has this ability to be completely absorbed and lose everything around him as he drills ball after ball into the holes.

Elite athletes like them talked about one of the keys in getting into the Zone: by getting out of their own way.

(to be continued)

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