Training Your Focus

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Focus is a trained skill. Focus is crucial when competing elements vie for your attention, such as fear of failure, previous mistakes, the importance of the competition, high expectations, etc.  If you haven’t trained yourself to focus in pressure situations, you will underperform when it matters most. 

 You may not have realized it as such, but you have been training your ability to focus during your workouts and training for competition.  How else could you go through the rigorous demands that are placed upon you as a Division I Track and Field athlete? 

As you walk into that competitive environment in San Antonio, you will need to be “Locked In”. Here is what you need to remember as you prepare for that moment. Focus requires the following:

* Remember the goal. The Apostle Paul, laid it out.  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”   Goals are not to be written or stated and left to chance in the hope that they are accomplished.  Goals should be an integral part of our lives.  When you are “locked in” on clear objectives, you will be able to direct your efforts to maximize your mental skill of focusing, 

* Trust the process. If you start second guessing what has brought you this far, you will not get very far at a championship meet.  Focus on what you have been doing and do what you have to do.

* Use your performance cues. All of you have your personalized performance cues, phrases, gestures, or mental images to help you focus or refocus to perform your best during competitions.  Just watch Brady or Merissa before they jump.  Each of you has your own way of bringing yourself into laser focus.

* Stay present in the moment. Staying present means focusing on the task at hand.

* Visualize competing with a laser focus. Are you going to be nervous?  Yes. Visualization now will help you focus then.

* Use breathing techniques to ground yourself in the moment. Deep breathing helps you manage stress and anxiety and promotes optimal concentration. 

You work hard to perform at a high level in competition. However, it is important to remember that being your best requires honing your mental skills as well as your physical skills.

   That is why it is so important to see yourself as one who is pressing on toward that goal.  Within that mental paradigm will come the clarity needed to focus with laser like precision on the competitive moment. 

Prayer:  “Father, we know that you have promised your presence throughout our lives in Christ Jesus.  We know that you will be with us during challenging circumstances and opportunities that come our way.  May our primary focus be on You and what you mean to us.  Help these athletes to power through any noise or distractions and to focus on the goal of bringing honor and glory to your name.”  Amen.