There is a saying that states: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Whilst this might be true in some walks of life it’s certainty not true in sport. Why? Because if you do the same things this season as you did last season your performance may...
Keeping a Mental Training Log
It is a long-established fact that writing things down helps to increase the prospect of success and achievement. Keeping a log or a diary of your activities also helps to provide useful source of information, motivation and inspiration. We all write things down to help us achieve something. From shopping lists to daily “to-do” lists;...
Setting The Right Goals
How did you get on with your new years resolutions? Did you achieve what you set out to do? Maybe they’re still “work in progress” or maybe you just didn’t bother at all. Wherever you find yourself right now take heart because you can achieve your goals, you may just have to realise what they...
Being Spotted
One question that always gets brought up by youngsters is “What do I have to do to get spotted by a scout?” Well that’s a tricky one because all too often talent, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Just sit near a group of spectators and/or parents during any competitive sports game...
The Four Steps To Excellence
Whether you achieve excellence in what you do depends largely on four key elements. Those people who do well have had some success with these elements but those who excel have applied themselves far better. Knowing where you want to go (having a vision), Wanting to get there (making a commitment), Believing in your ability...
Coping With Injury – An Athlete’s Perspective
Welcome to Sporting Insights, the place where we hear from athletes about how they cope with and excel in the pressurised world of competitive sport. Here in the first of my interviews with athletes is professional cyclist Emma Silversides. Emma has been riding as a full-time professional since 2008 when she signed for the Lotto-Belisol...
Talk Positive. Be Positive
If you were playing in a competitive game of doubles tennis and your partner hit a bad shot, would you say to them “that shot was terrible, we’re going to lose now because of you. You’re rubbish at this game!”? No, you wouldn’t because you know it would only damage their confidence and their game...
The Power of Superstition
Professional athletes are particularly prone to superstitions, perhaps because so much rides on success or maybe out of the desire to avoid failure. Most superstitions come into existence because a particularly good performance, or a reversal in bad performances, is attributed to something the player did prior to the game. There are numerous examples of...
When Plans Fail
Every year, early in the summer, I meet up with three friends to play the famous Brabazon course at the Belfry in Warwickshire. As many of you will know, The Brabazon was the scene of some great Ryder Cup battles between Europe and the USA’s top golfers and although our game is an entirely social...
Reversing “Buts”
Did you know that the word “but” is a magic word? No? Well it is for most of us so let me explain why. Take this sentence for example: “I thought you played well, but you missed an easy opportunity to score.” Which part of each sentence do you remember most ? The part before...