Thursday, June 16, 2011

Focus on the Process

If you don't constantly talk to yourself inside your head, I'd venture to say you're a little bit off. Everybody does it. Some do it more than others. I do it the most. One of the things I try to manage when I'm getting ready for competitions and during them, is the constant chatter I'm having with myself in between my ears. Yesterday I posted that "it's more important to focus on the process, rather than the outcome." I believe this to be true, I just don't know how to do it all the time. Here is a sampling of things I will probably think between now and next weekend…

I hope I win...

I want to jump 7 meters...

So and so better not beat me...

I hope I get to do a victory lap in Oregon...

Should I wear those gold shorts again...

How many people have jumped further than me this season...

What will they jump...

What will I jump...

It's probably going to take this to make the team...

I need to do better in Daegu than I did in Berlin...

Well, first I need to make it to Daegu...

……and on. and on. and on.

But I'm learning to stop those thoughts from growing and from consuming me. I haven't mastered how to not make them come in the first place, but I realize they're not what I need to be focused on. I try my best to focus on me and what I know I can do. The process. The process is simple and I believe in it. It has nothing to do with anything or anybody else, it's just me doing what I do. The beauty of that is that I have enough faith to know that if I do the process right, the result will be what it needs to be. But worrying and giving energy to anyone else besides myself, is counterproductive.

I know some people disagree. Perhaps it can be advantageous to think about beating certain people and having that be your motivating factor or focusing on the result of making a team or jumping a certain distance. But for me I'm finding that I do better when I stop letting that be my driving force and give my attention to the process. It puts me in a better place and it helps me focus on things I have total control over. If I master that, the other things take care of themselves.

I'm still contemplating the gold shorts though...

10 comments:

Rolyat said...

I think all athletes who care about what they're doing have those thoughts. You are more than capable of jumping 7m it's going to happen just trust your training and LET it happen. Everytime I worry about trying to jump a certain distance I try harder and ,as a result,lose all technique and focus. Just remember those days in practice when you were relaxed and being technical and had a great jump day. It will happen as long as you have fun and relax. Good luck at USA's =)

Rachel said...

Gold shorts sound like a good idea!;P

Thanks for your thoughts... it is challenge to me because I too think all the time... I even dialogue with myself at times

Brianna said...

thank you!

@ rachel.. oh i have full on conversations with myself or other people that never even happen in real life. i feel you

Bubba Gump Jumping Acedemy said...

As your mental coach a few more thoughts for you:

* Meets are won in practice, not at the meet.

* I've beat the best in the world and I can do it this time too. Because you know what, I'm the best in the world, I worked for it, and I deserve it!

* All it takes is 1 jump, this one could be the one.

* I'm a seasoned, experienced, professional jumper of ___ years and I know what I'm doing.

* I've trained hard, and I'm ready to let it happen.

* Since meets are won in practice, and not at the meet, I might as well be loose and just have fun.

* Look at so and so, her a*s is enormous....ha ha ha. I'm way better looking than she is.

* Tally Ho, I'm in, put the women and children inside because here I come! ('Apocalypse Now' helicopter attack scene music playing in your head....dunt dunt dunt dunt TA dunt dunt dunt dunt TA dunt dunt TA TA) rocking and rolling baby)!

* I'm a big meet girl, step aside because I'm a coming for you!

* Focused, fun, happy, loose, smiling, laughing, with an inner calmed intensity of the battle about to take place.

* My mental coach Bubba Gump is the greatest human being on Earth and I think I secretly love him! Ha ha

This ought-a get you there. :)

Bubba Gump Jumping Acedemy said...

"random, low key meet today produced my furthest jump. EVER. 6.87 for a new PR and a windy 7 meters. The tornado was at my back this time"....................


No No No No No you didn't just go there?!!!

Sorry, this so called "meet" was practice jumping at best with your lackeys at your training center.

You are feeling the stress of the upcoming competition. GOOD! You should! It is for "All the Marbles" this year!

Your little BS jumping today means nothing. Don't even try to spew BS to make yourself feel comfortable.

You need to be uneasy.

But, you need to have faith in your training. Practice. Meets are won in practice, not at the meet.

This is a good thing. You are jumping further than ever. You are on the right path. Your body is ready.

As your mental coach, though, you are trying to convince yourself you are ready in this campus result.

You are ready and able just as you did last Nationals.

No settling in, making excuses, "oh I jumped my PB 2 weeks ago but it did not repeat, but I know I can do it, and I did not make the team"!

Sorry....nice try!

Your new PB doesn't count for Jack Sh*t.

Look, you good Sand Jumper...stop stressing....have fun...your ready...you just proved you jump long ass distance....

I want you loose and hungry...not satisfied with anything...hungry but loose.

Your body is ready...just have fun now...don't stress...you been at this for years and years, you a robot now. Just be the robot you are. Off times, have fun, laugh be loose, enjoy the experience. For it is rare what you are doing.

I wish I could jump for you, my mind, your body, but such is life.

One last thought....jumping? Really doesn't amount to happiness in life. So, weather you jump 12 feet as I did when I was 7 at the elementary school track meet (and got 2'nd place), or if you jump 7 meters...it really doesn't matter. No one really cares. Not me, not you, not your mom or dad in heaven. Those that love you and befriend you will always be there no matter what.


BGJA

Brianna said...

your first comment was fine but your second was ridiculous. i'm sorry i even read it...

2006 Ford Freestar AC Compressor said...

It was very interesting for me to read that blog. Thanks the author for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

Anonymous2 said...

"I want to jump 7 meters" have you ever jumped non-windy 7m in practice? If so then you know you can do that and just do it in the meet.

"So and so better not beat me" I don't understand this one. What difference does it make who beats you.

"Should I wear those gold shorts again" No No and No. Try something different, how about pink or an animal print. It might catch the TV camera's eye.

Allen W said...

I like the gold shorts, however, hot pink or an animal print short or bikini bottom would be interesting. Since I started following you and your adventures, I have noticed what you and your competition is wearing on the runway on the way to the sand.
Enough on the wardrobe.

You have no control over the other jumpers and what they can or cannot do. That's the bad news. Now for the good news. They have no control over you. Just do your thing and have a good time. Have fun and be yourself.

Good Luck, Take Care, Have Fun!!!!

Anonymous said...

Isuzu FTR Truck Turbo

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.