Many years ago, someone once asked me if I did any meditation or visualisation before competing in my sport. At the time, my answer was no. I didn’t see the value in it. Fast forward a few falls off the horse later, I started the long journey down the sports psychology rabbit hole.
What really resonated and started a professional journey for me, was understanding the value of self-regulation. By becoming present and setting my intention before I even got into my sports gear I found that my outcomes were far greater and came easier. By slowing things down, I actually sped them up.
I learned that an unregulated adult cannot regulate an unregulated child, so too, an unregulated athlete cannot possibly stay grounded, present and make clear conscious decisions with often split second timing vital to sports performance.
By slowing down, we can remain present and make faster, conscious decisions. We can control our flight response and adrenalin reactions and thus improve our athletic performance.
So next time you are getting prepared to train, as you are getting changed or walking to your session take a few moments to try visualise what you want from that session. Your desired outcomes, what you want to feel while you are training. Notice your breath, your posture, your nervous state and find an anchor to take that feeling into your training.
Let me know if this helps you!