I have been studying this subject of sports psychology intently for the last three years in my
"self-imposed period of hibernation" in Gisborne, New Zealand. It follows on from my studies of stress
and general motivation...and my great great passion for sport, ever since I was a small boy. Still am,
like most men!

     My main motivation in writing this book and subsequent online course is to share the knowledge
that I have learnt, stemming from my life long affair with sport.. I hope that this course can help you
sporting professionals in some small way. However, it is mainly geared at "Mr. Average", who is well
above my level of sporting talent. So you too can maximize the enjoyment of your particular sport. I
have written the course generally for all sportspeople throughout the world - no matter their level of
skill or abilities.

     What is sports psychology? Sport is becoming more and more professional and competitive. That
is why in recent years the study of the psychological aspect has become more important. The subject
of sports psychology has been a comparatively recent development; although knowledge of the link
between mind and body (physical and mental aspects) has been known for centuries.

     Sports psychology is all about helping people achieve positive experiences and realizing their full
potential...and I believe that life is the best teacher of that.

     This manuscript has been written as a sports lover from my personal experiences, study and
research, who is not too proficient in the area of sporting endeavor, as well as being a non-technical
"amateur psychologist". I have written it in hopefully easy-to-understand language. I hope all sportsmen
and women (never underestimate those delightful creatures) from purely recreational to super
competitive sports stars, will benefit from it... but most of all enjoy the course.

     I have dropped in bits and pieces of my rather weird sense of humor from time to time, to hopefully
keep you entertained and interested along the way...because my aim as a writer of this course is first
of all to inform, then entertain and hopefully even to inspire the reader to achieve great heights in their
chosen field of endeavor. But it is up to each one of us to make full use of our potential - in sport or
anything we set out to do in life. I truly believe that! Also I feel that it's a very sad waste, that so many
people don't fully realize their gifts in life...and some tragically never even know they had them within -
whatever they may be. That is my main "life mission"- helping people in finding theirs.

*** Most of the books I have ever read on the subject of sports psychology have been written in highly
technical language by PhD's, that usually only a fellow doctor can understand (except for the ones
mentioned in my references). It's a serious subject; but I'll try to throw in a bit of my "wacky" humor
from time to time for entertainment. I hope you enjoy my book and that it is of assistance to you...and
not too "crazy" (like some of the other ones). Then perhaps we can all be winners. Even "little old me"!

     After that long waffling pre-amble, nearly time to get into it. Being a "mental" sort of person and
"amateur psychologist",  I will concentrate on the mental side of things. We will go through various
sections, gradually getting into more depth in each area. Part One of the manuscript is more of a basic
introduction to the psychology of sport; while Parts Two and Three are slightly more practical, in looking
at how we can make the most of controlling our mind (the single factor which is within our control in
sporting success). And lastly, Part Four consists of miscellaneous quotations from famous and not so
famous sportsmen and women throughout the world, to illustrate the points I have made (or rather tried
to make) throughout this manuscript.

     I think that PST (or psychological skills training) is vital to achievement. Because in sporting
success, I believe, it is our mental state, which is the most vital ingredient. The reason: because it is
our thoughts which largely make or break us... and I believe these principles apply in all walks of life.
It really is a case of "mind over matter" in the way we CHOOSE to live our lives.

So time to get straight into it...

LESSON ONE: WHAT IS SUCCESS - SPORTING AND OTHERWISE?

LESSON ONE: SUCCESS (IN SPORT AND IN LIFE)

"To distil human strength into speed and skill and to evaluate mankind's mind above the weakness
of reward and recognition...that is the sole purpose of sport" - Baljit S. Grewal (India)

     In this first chapter we will take an introductory look at the concept of success. After all, most of us
want to live successful lives, don't we? In Part Three we will delve into this subject, as well as the area
of choosing tactics in greater detail.

     In sporting success, I believe, it is our mental state, together with our levels of individual motivation,
which is the most vital ingredient: because it is our thoughts, which largely make or break us...and I
believe these principles apply in all walks of life. It really is a case of "mind over matter". It really is a
case of "mind over matter" in every area of our life, which will determine our ultimate success.

*

     Why do people compete in sport? I believe their main motivation is to do well and to display their
skills. But most importantly, to have enjoyment. No matter how lacking we may be in professional
talents (like your author), sport also offers an opportunity to set and achieve personal goals (no matter
how lowly they are). So that you then obtain recognition for your endeavors. The more proficient you
are at your chosen sport, the easier it usually is.

     I believe one of the greatest human needs is a desire for recognition. It is probably one of my
greatest motivations, together with a strong desire to help others through sharing what knowledge I
have acquired over the years through the "school of life". One of the main reasons why I write my
various books. The other is that there is nothing else for me to do here in tranquil and "economically
deprived" 'Sleepy Hollow' in rural New Zealand!

*

    Once you choose to be involved in competitive sport, you state your desire to set and achieve certain
goals, to develop new skills and competencies - to test your physical and mental limits and pursue a
certain level of excellence.

     Today's world is ever-changing and extremely competitive; so that, like cream, only the very best
rise to the top. A great deal of pressure is put on our sportsmen (throughout the world) by the public,
who often have expectations that are far too high, out of national fervor (especially in New Zealand with
their rugby All Blacks*, who bring so much glory to the country and in sports-mad South Africa...and
Australia...but then the Aussies usually do win most things). Kiwis (New Zealanders) are very
demanding and expect the "AB's"* to win...and it's a national disaster when they don't... so lucky it
doesn't happen too often!

     Though the country nearly fell apart in 1998 after five consecutive test losses! Revolution?

     It also happened after the World Cup semi-final defeat to France in 1999.
     * - the country's ONLY passion.

     These are all great sporting countries for the size of their populations - especially tiny New Zealand.
This can lead to a great deal of stress on sportsmen throughout the world, when the sometimes
unrealistic hopes of a nation are often pinned upon an individual or a team...and glory is lost or
achieved, as the Kiwis did recently in the America's Cup (1995 and defending it here in Feb 2000).

*

     Now let us look at the concept of success. What is success? What does it take to succeed in
today's competitive world? What motivates successful people? What part does luck play? Is there a
certain type of personality, which is more likely to be successful? Is it talent or personality, which is
more important? Must all successful people take risks? Is it necessary to enjoy taking risks? What
motivates successful people to keep them going? Is it a fear of failure, if they drop out; otherwise the
search for bigger and better challenges?

     Lots of questions. No, it's not an interrogation, like the Spanish Inquisition! In this chapter we will
take a brief look at all these questions and many others...

What is personal success?

     To start off, I am not going to try to define success, because, I believe, a precise definition is
impossible. Is it winning a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games or winning Wimbledon? Is it perhaps
being awarded the Nobel Prize (for world peace)? Who is more successful: a millionaire who is
unhappy, or an unnoticed person who has led a happy - yet unfulfilled life? I believe that the simplest
definition of the word "success" is "to set out to do something and to succeed in doing it".

     To pursue that line a little further, I don't believe that people "are born to succeed". Success is within
reach of most of us with application, perseverance and dedication...and a great deal of talent too, I
might add! There can be talent; but there has to be hard work and training before the talent can blossom
and succeed against others.

     In the rest of this chapter we will take a look at what it takes to succeed in this competitive world
of today. I have written it from the perspective of sportsmen; but I believe these basic (nice word basic -
a bit overused, but what does it really mean?) principles can be applied to all the areas of our lives.

*

     What does it take to succeed in today's competitive world?

     What motivates successful people? What part does luck play? Is talent or personality more
important? Is there a successful type of personality, which is more likely to achieve success? Must all
successful people take risks? Is it necessary to enjoy taking risks?

     What motivates successful people to keep them going day after day? Is it a fear of failure, if they
drop out, or is it the continual search for bigger and better challenges ("more Everest's to conquer")?

     Enough questions from "the terrible interrogator"?

     Far more thoughts and my answers to these questions coming up further on in the book. Although
I am not a famous sportsman, who has done it all, this manuscript is all about how to do it...written by
"insignificant little old me".

*

The Competitive Urge

     Sport offers the chance to compete. However, physically taxing effort is also a leisure activity -
competitive sport can be an enjoyable recreational pursuit. A natural human instinct is having a desire
to win. For some people winning at all costs is all-important. However, most sportsmen (and
sportswomen being a politically correct writer - for a change!) derive their greatest satisfaction in
knowing that an individual has done his/her very best (why "reach for the stars when we have the
moon?"). This is the best approach to take, if one can take a balanced view. It is important to strive to
win; but if you lose..."so what!" A good attitude to take! As someone once said: "Winning isn't
everything, but it sure beats losing."

     As I hope you will see in this work, winning really is a state of mind. You can train your mind to
keep performing, if you really want it badly enough. I think that often the difference between winners
and losers lies in their different levels of enthusiasm. I also believe that any sportsman can develop their
psychological training, as well as the physical side. We just need to put in a bit of effort. Then we can
all learn these psychological skills, which are often as easy to learn and master as the physical skills.

*

     I believe that for anyone to be successful, they have to have some luck on their side, or be a little bit
"mad/crazy" - by taking a chance... or two or three, when the doubters warn them off and they then
"buck the odds" to achieve eventual success. Otherwise, the person must be very talented in their field,
as the talent alone will enable them to rise to the top, like cream. Though not very likely without a great
deal of effort put in. Talent without a great deal of discipline and sacrifice will not ensure success!

     But what is luck? I have heard it defined as when "preparedness meets opportunity". A very apt
definition, I think! It is said that successful people "make their own luck". What does this mean? I
believe "luck" really means taking maximum advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. In
short, I think to be successful, we probably need to have a combination of all these above-mentioned
characteristics (traits - nice word) within us.

     Probably the most important ingredient in the recipe for success is a POSITIVE ATTITUDE: to put
yourself in a position to take the maximum advantage of any luck that comes your way ...and then to
swiftly seize these rare opportunities by acting on them.

     As I mentioned, many successful people are a little bit "crazy" in their obsession with their goals.
However, all are single-minded and extremely determined. This is the one characteristic common to all
successful people. Determination is closely aligned with DRIVE: If you want something badly enough,
you will get it. With some sportsmen it can take the form of ruthlessness, i.e.. not letting anything
(absolutely!) stand between them and achieving their goals (a "win at all costs attitude"). It's a real
hunger for success.

     However, most successful sportsmen live reasonably balanced lives, in spite of the great effort and
dedication that they put into their chosen sport. Great to have balance in one's life (something I don't
have, as I strive to build a "new writing career" - but at least I'm aware of it and hope to change the
situation). Most accept that they can't be winners every time; however, they all have a strong sense of
purpose: they know exactly what they want (or where they want to go in sport) and they know how to
get there. They have a strong sense of mission, or "life purpose".

     Although I am certainly not much of a real sportsman (just the ultimate "armchair one"), I feel the
same about my new career of writing. I suppose, in my case, it has taken the form of determination
and persistence; accepting failure after failure (in trying to get published) as one step closer to the path
to ultimate success. I'm not there yet; but I'm still dreaming!

     It could even be a form of fanaticism, or definitely an obsession. As my family says about me! I have
made a number of sacrifices in pursuing my chosen career...and it's the same for nearly all successful
sportsmen and women. I accept that it's the price one has to pay, especially early in one's career for
hopefully attaining eventual success. Like me at this moment, many famous sportsmen live very
unbalanced lives: with year-round travel and consequently being separated from wives, husbands,
partners and family. Some may even have to be willing to sacrifice friends, a wife, the family, their
health or even possibly their life, to achieve their ultimate goals (like great racing driver, Ayrton Senna).
Lots more on him later in the book. (I am now divorced and as a "penniless, starving writer living in a
garret eating a carrot", can't afford to travel much further than the other side of this small "hick" town).
A very heavy price to pay for I "don't know what"!

     A great determination can spring from this sort of obsession. At it's most extreme, obsession is a
form of madness. But then you've got to be a bit crazy to survive in today's world... not too much
though, mind you!

     For most of us 'ordinary' people though, that is not the norm. And that is the reason why we stay at
our level of mediocrity. At least I think so! The strongly success-orientated person takes into account
only one thing: the path to success; while most people live balanced lives and only a few just 'stumble'
onto success. I came across my writing career purely by chance; it just seemed to evolve through
serendipity...as if all the "rather strange things/events" that happened to me in my life were somehow
preparing me for later writing about them.

*

     Tea break. To continue on the concept of success...

     I think the key words in the path to success are:

DETERMINATION and SELF DISCIPLINE

     Others are FOCUS and a SINGLE-MINDEDNESS (in pursuit of one's goals). The words
'determination' and (by association) 'ruthlessness', suggest a person who wants success and power for
it's own sake. This is another sort of obsession. However, a desire for power, riches and fame may have
virtually nothing to do with it. By the way, I feel that not all successful people and business executives
are ruthless - they are not all "money grabbing corporate raiders". Most of them are "normal and good
family men", who have perfectly natural reactions in that they hate firing employees. "Soft gentle souls!"

     Determination is often at its greatest, when a person is enslaved by an idea and wants to see the
idea work. That is me, for sure - I want to MAKE IT HAPPEN and see whether my ideas will work (or
whether I've been on a "wild goose chase" for the past five years or so, trying to "throw a double six" 
to start life!).

     There is a further sort of determination: the determination to see things through, to finish the job.
For example, a compulsion to qualify for the PGA golf tour in America, to finish a building, or in my
case to finish writing this manuscript ...and then get it published... which is the hardest part of all.
Especially with the way I write!

     I suppose all these characteristics are somewhat abnormal; because so-called "normal" people are
more passive and less focused than us "obsessive types". They are regarded as being less "mad" by
the majority of the public, who engage in more ordinary activities and have more "normal" occupations.

     I believe that a strong SENSE OF DIRECTION or PURPOSE IN LIFE is a very important ingredient
for success. So too is a persistent personality (just ask my dear wife*, who finds me an annoying
"grate" at times).

     * - now "X-wife". No wonder! She's a wonderful hard-working person by the way.

     To be successful in whatever endeavor one chooses, first of all requires a great of talent. It might be
latent, waiting to be uncovered. Perhaps, you are not even aware of it. I wonder how many budding
Ayrton Senna's and Michael Schumacher's there are around, who just have never had the opportunity
(mainly in the form of money) to race cars? Motor racing is certainly the "ultimate rich boy's sport".

     To finally reap the rewards of success, obviously talent has to be there on the long slow road to
success - and at the time of success...but has it always been there? Chess geniuses, athletes, tennis
players, architects, athletes, scientists, dress designers and advertising creative directors. These
"creative types"! There can be talent deep within; but there has to be hard work and training before the
talent bears fruition - so that it can succeed against (all) others...and this often takes a great deal of
time to bear fruit.

     I believe in life it's firstly a matter of finding your "niche", then unlocking your unique talents...and
finding it is the most difficult part. You may not even be aware you have any special gifts. That is the
"key" to success. As I mentioned, I found whatever little ones I had through a process of serendipity...
and it's probably my one and only talent! My writing, I mean. Once uncovered, it's then a question of
building on it and maximizing it.

     Maria Callas, the opera singer with "a voice like an angel" put a great deal of effort into maximizing
her talent. Sometimes a phenomenal talent, like a Juan Manuel Fangio*, Jim Clark or Ayrton Senna
soars above all others; but in most cases it's the effort and total dedication put in to make the most of
one's natural talents, that puts an individual into the realm of a superstar - someone who is on a
different level, a cut above the best of the rest.

* Fangio won the World Driver's Championship five times.

     One can sometimes substitute hard work, training, experience and strategy for flair. Nice word that
'flair'. Could be a girl's name. Some detectives are like "Mr. Plod", while a few sleuths have the natural
insight of a Sherlock Holmes. Most others have to get results through hard detailed work in uncovering
cases. I don't yet know whether I'm a "natural" writer or a methodical plodder, a "gatherer and
passer-onner of useless" information through a great deal of effort. Perhaps only time will tell!

     I might have mentioned before (once, twice or ten times) that this manuscript has been written for
anyone: from the most lowly amateur to the real 'pros' in the sporting world. So no matter how lowly
your abilities, make the most of them.

     As I mentioned already, a positive attitude to life is all-important. A positive attitude says that your
natural talent can be maximized. It also says that without further effort, natural talent will be wasted. I
do like repeating myself: for emphasis primarily and as a sign of encroaching senility too.

     Sometimes persistent effort alone won't succeed in getting you to the top - only sheer talent will do
that... together with consistent effort to keep you at "the top of the tree". Never mind - JUST TRY TO
IMPROVE yourself and simply DO YOUR BEST at all times.

     This thought leads me on to another question: Is the top-most level of success the only one worth
having, or is it sufficient to merely enjoy sport for it's own sake (even the professionals)? Does every
player entering Wimbledon really think he or she is going to win the Championship? Or is it success
itself just to play in the Wimbledon tournament? How realistic is the vision of success to YOU? It all
depends on how you define success for yourself...which is the thought with which I introduced this
chapter.

*

     People often talk of a "style of success" or "patterns of success". What do we mean by those terms
and do they really work? In the next section we will look at this subject...

Successful Styles:

     What are the characteristics of typically successful styles for both teams and individuals? I don't
believe there is one successful style...because we develop what works best for us...and everyone is a
unique creation. However, I do believe that all successful styles have some of the following
characteristics in them:

Firstly,
 - 1. Energy
 - 2. Drive
 - 3. Direction
 - 4. A "can do" attitude
 - 5. Stamina
 - 6. Hard work
 - 7. Efficiency, and...
 - 8. The ability to cope with failure...and more importantly to learn from failure. Someone once said
      "failure is the shadow that gives dimension to the picture". Very true!

     All the world loves a fighter, a real battler. I've just been watching South African fast bowler Stephen
Jack "come back" after been "slaughtered" by Pakistani opener, Aamir Soheil in a one day cricket
international (the first final of the Mandela Cup). Soheil plundered 29 runs from Jack's first two overs of
the match; but South African captain Hansie Cronje had great confidence in his bowler and brought him
back for a second spell that was far tighter...and his bowler repaid that faith in the captain by taking a
valuable wicket and by bowling much better.

     I think it's far more interesting to see how a person who lost, then came back a winner; than it is to
understand the "easy" victory of another winner - to whom things seem to come ever so easily. As the
saying goes, "an inflated balloon is vulnerable, but that's the only way it's going to fly"... and that's why
the crowd loves a "battler".

     Every successful sportsman has their own unique style; because as individuals, we are all so
different - both in our thoughts and in our behaviors (and our thoughts determine our behavior). As the
saying goes: "As a man thinketh, so is he". That's from the Bible. There are so many different styles of
success. Often there are a number of styles, which may work for you...but one is usually best of all...
and consequently most successful. Once you hit on it you should usually stick with it. Then the
winning formula sits comfortably.

     So ask yourself the question: "What is my style?" Write it down or ask your friends what they think
it is. Try to build up the strong points of your style, rather than trying to change it to a different style.

*

SUMMARY:
I believe the following traits are the "magic" ingredients for success in any walk of life...

Firstly,

     # Drive: a single minded obsession to see things through, to reach one's goals
     # Patience: because success usually takes far longer than we think (expect)
     # Energy
     # A "can do" Attitude
     # Efficiency
     # A great Determination
     # Mental toughness - a subject explored in some depth in this work.
     # Persistence  - Some authors have persisted and persisted; but never met success. The book
           "The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth was rejected by 35 publishers before it was
            eventually accepted for publication (there's hope for me then!). But don't be too too stubborn,
            when you can try another far easier direction/plan/style. That's me perhaps!
     # Single-mindedness.
     # Absolute Integrity - towards yourself and to others. Very important. Whatever you do, be true to
            yourself. Words that my dear mother Hazel often said to me...now embedded in my little head.
     # Having a great EXPECTATION of success.
     # The ability to think creatively, i.e.. to look at new ways of doing things (playing the game).
            Many creative people's talents and energies (as well as those of many sportsmen) are firmly
            locked in one direction; so that they are unable to enjoy more rewarding possibilities. Hope I'm
            not in that category! So be ready to change direction...as well as your targets, if need be.

     As I mentioned, successful people usually take some risks in life. So if you want to be "successful",
you must be willing to take risks. The level of reward is usually related to taking some risks in life; so
successful people have usually taken some risks, nearly all of which are calculated. However, some
very successful people have taken outrageous risks out of sheer desperation, or an obsession with the
odds stacked firmly against them...yet they have come off! Me perhaps! Risk taking is said to be the
essence of innovation. It is an "intrinsic* part of success and living a real life" (Edward De Bono,
"the mind-mapping man").

* good word that, "intrinsically speaking"!

     What else is there?

     # A mature disposition to handle occasional setbacks.
     # Continually FOCUS on your objective through your knowledge of yourself. Recognize your
             strengths, weaknesses and mental blocks. Get outside yourself and watch yourself as an
             observer by being objective about yourself.
     # RELAX often: Your body needs rest to rejuvenate the cells and it will tell you when it does. A
             number of ideas come to us when we are on holiday. The reason: The mind is relaxed and we
             often see that things don't have to be done a certain way - the way we have always done them.
             Just DO them YOUR WAY and follow your intuition.
     # Successful people often think new thoughts ("tink new torts").
     # Successful people don't merely wait for opportunities to come to them.
             They create and seize opportunities.
     # Successful people define their targets and goals. So find, recognize and see the goal you're
             working towards. Make it "fit" your work. "Do what you love and love what you do."
     # Successful people also always have great dreams.
     # Successful people stay focused in the face of every obstacle and setback that befalls them.
     # Successful people have a "game-plan" (or simply a plan) for every eventuality. They have a
             strategy, then "work their plans".

     So DESIGN A STRATEGY for yourself, which is more than just a PLAN - to get you where you
want to go.

     Then TAKE ACTION. Take one step at a time towards your immediate goal, then the next step will
follow naturally. (This reminds me of the most over-used after-match comment by captains and
coaches: "We're taking it one game at a time." But it's so true, as they work towards their ultimate goal!).

I like the following saying:

"There are three types of people in the world:
those who make things happen,
those who watch things happen
and those who ask "what happened?"

Successful people who reach their goals MAKE things happen.

*

     In sporting success, I believe it is our mental state, which is the most vital ingredient; because it is
our thoughts which largely make or break us...and I believe these principles apply to us in all walks of
life. It really is a case of "mind over matter". I also believe that if the WILL is strong enough, then
virtually anything can be accomplished...and we can all be successful.

But even if we are not...

SO WHAT?

     As American swimmer, Matt Biondi said so well after losing his title at the 1992 Summer Olympics
in Barcelona: "It's not the end of the world; my dog will still lick my face whether I win or lose."

...and the sun did still rise the next morning for Matt Biondi, as his dog wagged his tail.

*

PS:
     Now that we are getting into the "nitty-gritty" of this subject, in subsequent chapters we will look at
how we can learn to control our minds (the subject of sports psychology)...no matter what degree of
success you personally desire in life.

*

    Success in any endeavor usually involves a great deal of sacrifice and commitment. The commitment
could be in the form of: time, effort, money, etc. The desire to succeed must come from within you and
no-one else. You must want to do it for yourself, because it gives you satisfaction and enjoyment. That
is the pathway to success. So do it for your reasons and no-one else's - not your parents, friends or
any other people.

     The hallmark of a peak performer or a champion is consistency. If you can achieve consistent peak
performances, you are likely to be more successful and enjoy your sport more.

     I believe the necessary ingredients for success are:
* Positive self-esteem and a positive attitude to life.
* Assertiveness.
and
* Commitment.

     SELF ESTEEM (and especially a healthy one) is a vital building block to achieving peak
performance. Peak performance requires a sportsman to have a realistic perception of their ability, as
well as complete faith in their ability to meet the challenges and demands of any situation. Having
control in any particular situation reduces stress to the athlete.

     I think a talented sportsman with the will to work could be a great one. However, they will usually
need a supportive family - an athlete has to be extremely strong mentally and also singled-minded in
daily pushing yourself through the pain barrier in training, i.e. COMMITMENT.

To break down these elements further...

I believe attaining success also requires a great deal of the following traits:
* Discipline
* Application
* Dedication
and the following "sub-groups". Try to work on the 4 Ds:

* DIRECTION: set a goal and have the challenge of reaching that goal.
* DESIRE: wish for the attainment of that goal and an eagerness to enjoy the journey along the way.
                Sometimes it's a very long and hilly road. Don't I know about it!
* DEDICATION: having an intense loyalty and commitment to meet the challenge and to apply yourself
                wholly to achieving it.
* DETERMINATION: the strength of mind to continue in the direction to achieve your goal.

- Julie Townsend (NZ Silver Fern Netball player and wife of former Kiwi cricket captain Jeremy Coney -
in case you're interested.

     Don't sporty types attract each other? Why Marie and I get on so well!

Psychological skills training:
Introduction:

     Winning is a state of mind; you can train your mind to keep performing. I think that often the
difference between winners and losers is in their different levels of enthusiasm. I believe that any
sportsman can develop their psychological training, as well as the physical side. We can all learn
these psychological skills, which are often as easy to learn and master as physical skills. To help
you in this, learn rest and relaxation techniques.

How to win: A few introductory thoughts...

     Because in sporting success, I believe it is our mental state which is the most vital ingredient: it is
our thoughts which largely make or break us...and I believe these principles apply in all walks of life. It
really is a case of "mind over matter." Once you start losing, it can start a "spiral of defeats", so that
losing then becomes a habit. You have to make a huge conscious effort to break the cycle. Lot's more
on winning coming up in this work.

Authors Note: I think I've already included that opening paragraph somewhere else in this work. (once,
                     twice, or "thrice").

# Don't think about losing. Fear of losing stops many sportspeople from performing to their full
       potential (like the All Blacks...occasionally).

# Focus on your strengths, rather than on your weaknesses. Be proactive in this. (Nice word that!).

# Remember: YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK. Success in sport is closely related with the feeling of
being in CONTROL. To illustrate this point: the most motivated people are also usually the least
anxious. Halt negative thoughts. You may not be able to prevent them from entering your head...
but with a strong will at least you can stop them from "nesting".

# Assume responsibility for all your successes...and your failures.

# Take the credit for all your successes...even every "little triumph".

# Then take time to smell the roses.

Remember American swimmer Matt Biondi's words:

"It's not the end of the world; my dog will still lick my face whether I win or lose".
"The sun will still rise the next morning", etc.

# At all times try to DEVELOP YOUR THINKING SKILLS. Say to yourself: "If others can do it...

WHY NOT ME?"

To end off, I like this following poem very much.

SUCCESS

Success is doing the best that you can,
in as many ways as you can.

It is being just and honest and true -
not in a few things, but in everything you do.

Always look ahead and never look back,
believe you can make all your dreams come true.

Always believe in the best you can be
and have faith in the things that you do.

Forget about the mistakes you've made yesterday,
the lesson you learn will prove valuable for today...

never give up and think that you're through...
for there's always tomorrow and a chance to begin brand new.

It is in dreaming the greatest dreams...
and seeking the highest goals...
that we build the brightest tomorrows.

There is no limit to the goals you can attain,
or the success you can achieve...
your possibilities are as endless as your dreams.

Whatever it is that you seek in life,
whatever your dreams and what you hope to achieve,
whatever you try to reach - whatever you plan...
can all be yours - if you only believe you can.

Larry S. Chengges

Cheers for those beautiful and inspiring words, Larry!

HOMEWORK:
Write a paragraph or two on the following:

     # Your sporting career and your life in general - this is to give me a bit of back-ground of YOU
          (where you’re coming from - Mars, like us???)

     # What success means to you personally - in both sport and life in general?

     # What are your expectations and what do you hope to get out of this course?

     # What do you hope to achieve in the future in your sport (just a general direction at this stage).
           We’ll go into specific goal setting in a later lesson.

     Hope you enjoyed this first lesson and found it helpful. Sport is my great passion …even more so
than writing my various books In the next lesson we’ll look at what motivates us as sportspeople and
as human ‘beans’. Sorry end of “freebie”.

Still aboard … see you next time!
Craig

***************************************************************************************************
***NOTE; This course is continually being refined and developed,
as we learn and grow in our knowledge from our life experiences.
Therefore, Eagle Productions (NZ) reserves the right to change the
course program and materials as and when it deems necessary
to most fully benefit our students.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate
...Your Statement of Attainment in Sport Psychology.

 I hope you enjoyed this FREE lesson. To enroll in the rest of the course,
fill in your name and email address below and I'll send you complete details.