Smile Before You Sweat: The Mental Flow of B.F.S.

As athletes, we often hear that mental performance is just as crucial as physical training. But how can you optimize your mental game? By focusing on three key areas: Body Language, Focus, and Self-Talk—what I like to call the B.F.S. method.

Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes before you even say a word. It influences not just how others perceive you but also how you perceive yourself. Confident, powerful stances can actually enhance your performance by boosting your mental state. Consider the recent Olympic Games, where athletes like Simone Biles and Caeleb Dressel demonstrated the importance of body language. Both displayed an unwavering sense of confidence, which was evident in their posture and expressions. This confidence wasn’t just for show—it helped them perform at their best. The next time you step onto the field or court, check your posture—are you displaying confidence and readiness? If not, make the necessary adjustments and notice how it impacts your game.

Focus

In today’s fast-paced world, distractions are everywhere. For athletes, the ability to maintain focus is crucial. The best performers have a singular concentration that allows them to execute under pressure. This doesn’t just happen naturally—it’s a skill that needs to be developed. Olympic athletes like marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge have mastered the art of focus. Kipchoge’s ability to block out distractions and stay locked in on his goal allowed him to break records and dominate his sport. You can develop this same level of focus with mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or visualization. Before a game, take a moment to clear your mind and zero in on your goals. This heightened focus will keep you in the zone. Successful athletes speak about how time suspends when they enter the right mental flow. Remember, you have to slow down to speed up!

Self-Talk

Finally, let’s talk about the dialogue you have with yourself. Positive self-talk is a game-changer. The words you choose can either propel you forward or hold you back. Olympic athletes are known for their disciplined approach to self-talk. Swimmer Katie Ledecky, for example, uses affirmations to boost her confidence and stay motivated during competition. By replacing doubts with positive affirmations like, “I am prepared, and I will succeed,” she keeps her mindset strong, even in the face of intense competition. Start practicing positive self-talk during training, and it will become second nature during competitions.

By harnessing the power of B.F.S.—Body Language, Focus, and Self-Talk—you can elevate your mental performance and achieve your athletic goals. The recent Olympic Games showed us that the mind is just as important as the body in achieving success at the highest levels.

Train hard but remember mental performance training is just as important!

Dennis Mellen
Full Throttle Leadership
www.FullThrottleLeadership.com