3 Steps to your NO LIMITS mindset-Be bold in 2020
In a recent interview that Phelps did with Fox Sports’ Joe Buck for the show “Undeniable” the swimmer shared a goal sheet that he had crafted at the age of just 8 years old
1. Find your ‘WHY’ in life – Your why is your purpose. Let us look at Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian swimmer of all times. He overcame and harnessed his ADHD symptoms as a young swimmer. How?
He exploited the positive side of ADHD by using his incredible capacity and energy to remain hyperfocused on an activity he is passionate about.
“Nobody is going to put a limit on what I’m doing. I’m going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it. That is how I have always worked. If I want something I am going to go and get it.”- Michael Phelps.
Get connected to your life by focussing on your inner feelings to find your purpose. Your purpose in life does not have to be something that you will find at some point in your life. You are never to young or old to find your purpose. Find your purpose right NOW. Remember, Michael Phelps was only 8 when he found his passion. Passion is an emotion that motivates and makes you feel great doing the things you love, but we need the purpose or the why. That is the reason why we do what we do.
Step outside your comfort zone and become extraordinary
Make a shift in your mindset, cancel ordinary thoughts and change them with extraordinary ones. Use and develop your talents to create an extraordinary influence in the ways that only you can.
Doing positive things consistently, won’t be a problem for you, if you’ve embraced the practice of extraordinary thinking
Being extraordinary is not reserved for the privileged or the rich & famous only.
Reject negative company and surround yourself with positive extraordinary minds
2. Goalsetting and visualization – our minds can interfere and limit our performance. It’s called mental distractions. How do we find the best mental zone when we are under pressure? What did Michael Phelps focus on? 3 things: Goalsetting, visualization and finding the optimal state of mind.
Goalsetting is of utmost importance, but must be objective and measurable, challenging yet achievable. The very first and unavoidable step in achieving something you want is writing it down. Dreaming and thinking about it is not enough.
With reference the goal sheet of 8-year-old Michael Phelps
“What I like most about the goal sheet is not necessarily the goals, or that he had very specific targets in mind (versus writing something like, “I want to be the fastest!”). The goals were clear, but most importantly they included a plan of action.
Even at that age, Phelps seemed to grasp that having a goal isn’t enough, you must also have a vehicle for that change. And in his case, it was working hard, and showing up to every practice”. Please read more here about Michael Phelps goalsetting tips – Olivier Poirier-Leroy
Visualization or an imagery mental rehearsal is a technique used by athletes to “plan” an outcome of a race or training session. Using the mind, a swimmer can call up these similarities over and over, improving the skill through repetition or going over, similar to physical practice. With these mental rehearsals, you mentally and physically become trained to actually perform the skill imagined.
Michael Phelps would for example repeatedly mentally visualize swimming in the dark. In fact, his coach, Bob Bowman once made him practice in a dark pool. The training was to prepare him not to panic if his vision was ever hindered while racing. What happened in the 200m butterfly race during 2008 Beijing Olympics? “By the second turn, everything was getting blurry. As he approached the third and final lap, the cups of his goggles were completely filled. Phelps couldn’t see anything”. He nevertheless won gold in that race. The power of visualization.
3 – Create a flow state of mind – What is a flow state of mind? Being in the zone is the mental state when you are fully immersed and energized in performing something you are absolutely passionate about. How do you do it?
Let us first understand the meaning of intrinsic & extrinsic. What is Intrinsic & Extrinsic motivation? Intrinsic means you do something because it’s enjoyable and interesting and it’s your passion. Extrinsic is reward-driven behaviour and that type of motivation is short-lived.
So in short. Find what you love to do. Find your passion. Choose to adopt your viewpoint that you can do what you love with your life. Don’t allow negative friends and family to influence you. Always be brave and remember, to make the world a better place, you need to be bold and courageous!
The world needs your passion. So dear young swimmers, be self-assured. It will always guide you right. As soon as you start trusting in yourself, you will know how to live your life.
Don’t delay, start today…even if you are only 8-years-old…like Michael Phelps were.
Now is the time. Be bold, be brave break down the barriers of doubt and use these 3 steps to your NO LIMITS mindset.
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