Two Articles on Trying Too Hard to WIN by Lanny Bassham

Article #1 - Are You Trying Too Hard To Win? By Lanny Bassham

When you give it your all, you may be trying too hard. Your level of mental effort exceeds the optimum and points are lost. Let's look at why this happens and what we can do about it.

When we begin any form of skill acquisition we are forced to do things consciously. An example would be looking at the keys when we begin to learn to type. I have to admit that I still have to look at the numbers when I type but the keys are touched automatically now that I've been typing for a good while. As my Conscious mind can only think about one thing at a time, I was slow as Christmas at typing in the beginning. As I began to practice interesting things happened. Very soon I found that I didn't have to think about the keys. They seem to type without conscious effort. When this happens we are typing with our Subconscious mind. What a difference! Our speed increases and so does our enjoyment of the skill of typing.

Skill acquisition occurs exactly the same way. At first, we have to think about the elements of our form. Through training we begin to do them automatically or Subconsciously. There is a huge advantage when the Subconscious controls the process. The Conscious mind can only think of one thing a time while the Subconscious can handle countless activities simultaneously. We perform best when the Conscious mind is quiet and the Subconscious is in control.

So if this is true, why would we ever want to perform Consciously? We shouldn't. But, we do this every time we try too hard in competition. It has been my observation that close to 90% of all performers are trying too hard in competition. Amazing isn't it? Here's why. When we get to an important competition we naturally want to perform well. The Conscious mind can over- ride the Subconscious at will. So, the Conscious mind, TO MAKE CERTAIN WE DO WELL, over-rides the Subconscious. The result is a drop in performance and an unhappy athlete. I will explain what to do when this happens and how to try just hard enough to win.


Article # 2 How to Keep From Trying Too Hard To Win by Lanny Bassham

The number one reason good performers do not win in competition is Over-trying. What is the right amount of mental effort? I asked this question to hundreds of elite performers and this is the best answer I've received. "The optimum level of mental effort and let's just have fun today are really close together."

That's right! There is a time to try really hard but it is not in the competition. The time to try is in preparation, not in execution. We must TRUST in execution. That's correct. TRUST! Trust your training. If you are not training efficiently and effectively you will have a difficult time in having anything to trust in competition. But, it you are well prepared TRUSTING is the ticket to a winning performance. Unfortunately, most of us try in execution and that is the problem. How hard would you have to try if you knew you would win? Think about it. You could really enjoy the experience if there was no fear of a bad outcome. That is exactly the feeling that you should have when competing. Relax and let it happen, don't try to make it happen. Making it happen is putting the Conscious mind on the field and over-trying results. Just let it happen. Trust your Subconscious. Let it do its job.

Quieting the Conscious mind while in the act of performing is not an easy task. Some champions find that they can do this well. Most however find that if they do not give the Conscious mind something to think about it will find things on its own. It may think about things that will hurt your performance. It has been my experience that if the Conscious mind is not occupied or quiet it almost always over-powers the Subconscious and trying too hard is the result. I recommend Running a Mental Program just before performing. It occupies the Conscious mind and allows the Subconscious to do the work. The Mental Program is a planned, practiced sequence of thoughts that you picture while executing the steps of your routine during execution.

Running a Mental Program is such an individual thing that I hesitate to suggest what you should think about in an article. However, I can say that if you run your program and have the attitude that you are really going to enjoy the competition will you can avoid the number one reason for not doing well in a big competition. Remember TRUST your training. LET IT HAPPEN. Run your Mental Program and try just hard enough to win and not 1% more.

These articles appeared in an issue of our MENTALCOACH Free Email Newsletter. To join the newsletter click here: http://www.mentalmanagement.com/newsletter.html

What is the First Step in learning more about Mental Management? Try the book "Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power" By Lanny Bassham

Attend a Lanny Bassham Talk for only $20!

Are You in Prison or FREE?

Freedom Flight Message - Live
Olympic Gold Medalist Lanny Bassham shares this powerful message

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008

Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: Legacy Church

Street: 4501 Legacy Drive

City/Town: Plano, TX

Order tickets to be held at will call desk here.

http://www.mentalmanagement.com/seminars.details.html


Description:

We have never done an event like this at this price and the last time Lanny shared this message where it was open for anyone to attend was 2 years ago! Please come if you can - we don't know when or if we will be able to do this again!

Join us for an emotional, motivational journey! Lanny Bassham's new book is based on this amazing story and he will be sharing this message with all who attend this event! This is a perfect introduction to Mental Management.

Along with this incredible talk by an Olympic Champion each ticket holder will also receive a FREE copy of the book "Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power" just for attending the event! (retail price of book is $21.95)

Cost to attend is ONLY $20 per person. (ages 12-18 may attend free of charge with paid adult - free admissions will not receive a book)
To order your tickets call 972-899-9640

This session is for competitors, athletes, stage performers, parents of competitive youth, business professionals and anyone who needs to have a strong mental game or wants to learn how to stay positive no matter their environment.

Below are comments from people who have experienced this talk live, read the book or listened to the Audio of "Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power":

"Freedom Flight inspired me to make changes in my life that I had been postponing because they were outside of my comfort zone. This outstanding story made me realize that I do have the power to make important changes in my life and gave me the courage to take charge once again. I recommend this powerful product to anyone looking for some encouragement, whether it be to improve your professional or personal life."
Stashia Rivera, Director of Media Relations, Denver, CO

"Freedom Flight is incredible! I heard it for the first time from Lanny in his own words. This story will grab you within the first few minutes. Freedom Flight and its' lessons of mental power can't help but impact everyone who listens. Enjoy this incredible story and learn that the mind can overcome things you cannot even imagine until you read Freedom Flight." Fred Funk, PGA Tour Player

“Freedom Flight inspired me mentally and spiritually to go to the next level in my competition. It also moved me to be a better person. Life is not just about winning and losing, it’s about learning and growing and Lanny showed me that God has a plan for me.” Shilah Phillips, Miss Texas 2006, 1st Runner Up to Miss America

"Lanny Bassham has been an inspiration to me during my competitive years of golf. His book continues to inspire me in business as well. Freedom Flight has changed my perspective in business helping me to keep my focus on the important and letting the unimportant things go." Jun Lee, Entrepreneur – Owner and Founder of Styles by Jun

"Freedom Flight is one of those stories that touches your heart and soul. It touches you so significantly that you are moved, moved to action. Freedom Flight reminds us that heroes still exist and that potential hides within each of us . . . if we just give it a chance." Craig Braun, DMD

"This story is so extremely powerful! It really makes you think and be grateful for the good things in your life. Every time this story is told, it touches my heart and I know that Lanny Bassham shares it for a purpose – to touch the lives of everyone who hears it in a positive way. Thank you for the inspiration, Lanny!" Richelle Braun, President, Eagle Solutions Corporation

I just finished listening to Freedom Flight and felt compelled to e-mail you. I’m hoping that this e-mail will make it to Mr. Bassham as I really want him to know that I was impacted by the CD. For years I have doubted, had regrets, and never looked at myself as having much potential. To some extent, I live in fear over circumstances both real and imagined. I’m 44, have a great job, a beautiful wife, two incredible small children, and a wonderful home. My response to circumstances has put me in bondage for the better part of my adult life, until now. Hopefully, things can change. FREEDOM, it seemed like such a big word. Thank you Mr. Bassham for being willing to share your story. I may not turn out to be a great athlete or a successful entrepreneur; my focus is more on my role as a husband and a father. Joe Huot

Lanny, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the CD “Freedom Flight”. What a powerful story and outstanding lesson to pass on to others. My wife and I both listened to it and found it both inspiring and humbling. Adam Sweetman

Received "Freedom Flight" CD - Have listened to it several times - Will listen several more times before giving it to others. Very well done - The delivery -- The story - The principles - The applications - The inherent encouragement to find and fulfill one's own life purpose - Jim - Denver CO

Of all the stories I have heard Lanny tell over the years to illustrate his principles - trust me there have been hundreds - this is by far the best story of attainment and imprinting I have ever heard. I've begged him time and time again to put this story on paper for everyone to enjoy and learn from. I'm so thankful he has finally produced a product to share so others can be touched by this incredible story of desire and becoming. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who needs a little push in a positive direction. Anyone who feels like the world is caving in around them will probably have a different perspective on life after hearing this amazing story. I did. - Heather - Grapevine TX

--"My fiancée blessed me with a copy of Freedom Flight. What a wonderful book with great insight! The lessons from the box were profound. Your book gave me some wonderful tools for improving my life. I currently reside in Minneapolis and you can be sure that I will be promoting your book! Anybody who wants to change their outlook on life needs to hear your message. I look forward to purchasing more of your products. Great job! May your book continue to be a blessing and may the "lessons from the box" continue to touch many other souls."

This is Glenn Walker from Australia. I wanted to contact you and express my feelings when I listened to Freedom Flight on CD. This is one of the most amazing and touching stories I have ever heard. It doesn't matter what sort of person you are, If you are not emotionally touched and welled in the eyes after hearing that story, your not human. I have heard nearly all of your material and it is all great, however this material alone has made me see and given me the inspiration to take my family life, business and sport of skeet shooting to an entirely new level. Congratulations on such a great production and above all thank you for giving me the opportunity to hear both yours and Jacks story, its truly amazing. Feel free to use these comments in any of your printed material, as I believe the more people that hear and absorb this material, the world can only be better for it. Thanks again. Glenn Walker


Please ask for Heather Sumlin
972-899-9640
1-800-879-5079
heather@mentalmanagement.com

Article on Lanny Bassham in Avid Golfer Magazine

Here is a link to the article posted in the Executive Spotlight of the Avid Golfer Magazine Enjoy!

Success Story Email

Hello to Lanny and the gang down at Mental Management, feel free to add my picture to your website.

Since attending your seminar given up at Rock Mountain Sporting Clays, I believe in April of 2007, I've been preaching the importance of the mental game and how what I learned at that seminar has helped me. I recommend the Mental Management program to all my clients. I know if I don't have my mental game in check, my shooting is going to suffer. I run through my steps, my mental plan, they all work. I can NOT stress enough how much my mental game has improved and the direct effect it has had on my self confidence. Lanny and Troy are two of the nicest people you ever want to meet. The seminar was well worth the time and money.

Thanks Guys, God Bless and stay well.

Stephen P. Biello
Certified NSCA Level II Instructor

Mental Management Student Kathryn Dunn will be on CMT tomorrow!

You can watch Kathryn on the famed CMT series Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders - Making the Team. The show airs October 4th at 9:30 pm ET/PT. Watch Kathryn and the other DCC hopefuls as they begin an intense, grueling 4-month process to become one of America's Sweethearts. Kathryn will appear in the first 6 episodes of Making the Team.

Kathryn has attended Mental Management training with Heather Sumlin and is also an Eagle U Grad. Congrats Kathryn on making the show! We can't wait to watch.

News Update on Kathryn Dunn - Congratulations to Kathryn for winning Miss Frisco 2009 on Nov. 8th in Plano, TX! Kathryn will go on to compete for the title of Miss Texas America! www.mpfo.com for more details.

Handling Rejection

This is from our August MENTALCOACH Newsletter for 2008. The question was submitted by Acting Coach Mary Anna Dennard

Dear Mental Management Team,

College auditions are extremely stressful not just while you are auditioning but when the rejection and acceptance letters start to arrive. When you are rejected by the school you most want to attend, how do you keep that from affecting your self image? Do you have any advice I can pass onto my students to help them handle rejection?

Everyone has some rejection in life. It could be through a rejection letter like your students, could be not getting the job, being dumped by the love of your life or losing an important tournament. I think when faced with rejection we must first ask ourselves a very important question:

Is the reason I was rejected within my control?

Most of the time the decision is subjective; in the case of an audition for a role, job interview, etc. If that is the case then you were not rejected, they simply selected someone else that fit their needs. This does not mean you are not a worthy candidate for the position. I believe that everything we go through in life acts as preparation for the future. What is learned in that audition, whether through getting the job or not, should strengthen the candidate and the reason for auditioning in the first place was not only to land the job but also to lay the foundation for the future.

I also believe that how you handle rejection or loss is the true test of a champion!

Are you inspired to improve and move forward with drive and determination or do you allow the rejection to affect your self-image in a negative way? You do have control over the way you view life's challenges. You can view them as set backs or you can believe that everything has a purpose in life and something good is on the horizon.

Every time in my life, when I have really wanted something and it didn't happen, I've realized there was something better in my future that I just couldn't see. Sometimes the challenges I have gone through were very necessary to teach me something or change me in some way to make my next journey easier and doable. In my seminars I talk about my story in much more detail than I do in my book to show that I was presented with many challenges in my journey to the Olympic Gold but what changed inside me, because of these struggles, help me grow into the person I needed to be to succeed at the level I was striving for.

We learn more on the struggle up the mountain than we do standing on the summit. If life is not tough then your goals are set too darn low.

The only way you can deal with rejection and stay sane is to think, "What's best for me is just around the corner - not the door that just closed".

When life closes a door, look for the open window - you will find it!

Question answered by Lanny Bassham

Mental Toughness for Pageantry - 5 day workshop

Mental Management Systems® is partnering with Eagle U to bring you an awesome Mental Toughness for Pageant Performance Seminar!

December 27-31, 2008 ~ Dallas, Texas

Learn the mental training system developed by Olympic Champion Lanny Bassham from Lanny himself!!

Blast your competition with unparalleled self-confidence and stage performance

Unlock your potential for peak performance under pressure

Analyze your performance and have a system for improvement

Maximize your ability to maintain a positive self-image throughout competition

Practice and apply the Mental Management System in a mock pageant setting

Turn negative self-talk into positive energy

And much, much more!

Course include 5 days of in-depth Mental Management training and the following products:

"With Winning in Mind"
Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power - Book
"What Every Pageant Contestant Should Know First About the Mental Game" - Audio CD
Performance Analysis Journal
Crown Consulting Workbook

For more information, call 1-888-7-EAGLE-U (732-4538) or email success@eagleu.com.

Registration is limited, so call today to reserve your seat!

We have been working with pageant contestants for the past several years in both the USA and America systems as well as others. Our goal with this seminar is to aid as many young women as we can who are preparing for local, state or national competitions. Call Eagle U for details.

What are other pageant contestants saying about the Mental Toughness Course we offered in July:

Ashleigh, Rockville, MD

"Mental Toughness has changed my life. I did not expect to walk away with this much useful information that I will incorporate into my life. Lanny Bassham is an inspiration to anyone competing. He truly cares about helping young individuals achieve their goals no matter what the sport is. Thank you very much for this eye opening experience."

Bailey, Norman, OK

"It was amazing and it completely changed the way I mentally approach challenges."

Christina, Cransten, RI

"Mental Toughness is amazing! In a few days I got the opportunity to be in the presence of Lanny and learn his approach on mentally preparing yourself for anything in life. I learned so much more in that short amount of time than in the 3 years I went to college. If you have not been to Mental Toughness, I highly recommend you go. It will help you and it give you an edge over everyone else. I loved it!!"

Faran, Oak Brook, IL

"I never thought there was a way to control your performance, practice and mind mentally. After the Mental Management program I now know what it takes to be a successful positive and tenacious performer and competitor. Not only can Mental Toughness (Management) be used in competitions but also in everyday life to make you the best person you can possibly be." Thank You

Sydney, Middlesex, VT

"Mental Toughness has prepared me for my competition and every aspect of my life. These tools will stick with me throughout the rest of my life and I know whatever I am competing in, I will perform like a winner."