Why is it that the benefits of practice and preparation can evade us when it’s time to make the big play, close the deal or deliver the speech? Our muscles tighten, our tongues tie themselves in knots and we’re as awkward as a giraffe in puberty. Fear raises its nasty head, doubts creep in and all we can picture are the things that can go wrong. Has this ever happened to you?
This kind of anxiety is the last thing you want before it’s time to perform. Through my experience as an athlete and now as a speaker, I’ve learned that I can put these demons to rest. One quick way is by using mental rehearsal (also called visualization). Learn how to make it effective here. Before any important event, I use mental rehearsal to increase my chances of success. Many clients I’ve coached have found it helpful too.
Using mental rehearsal right before you execute increases your chances of success. Here’s 2 scientific reasons to make it part of your routine.
Prime Neural Connections
Coaches often talk about building muscle memory. The tactics are practice and repetition. However, it is the brain that tells the muscles what to do. In the brain, neural connections are paving a route that culminates in the execution of the desired action. Mental rehearsal achieves nearly the same objective. And, it’s more controllable. Once I determine what right looks like, I can repeat it again and again in my mind.
As an athlete, this directly impacted my chances of success. When I rehearsed a serve in tennis in my mind before I actually hit the ball, I was more likely to get the result I wanted. In this case, that meant the intended technique, velocity and accuracy of the serve. When I didn’t use mental rehearsal, my chances dropped. Mental rehearsal warms up the connections in the brain like a dress rehearsal before the big show.
Prime Positive Emotions
Most everyone knows that confidence is key for a high level of performance, regardless of the context. Whether on the field, in the office or asking someone out on a date, you need confidence.
When you mentally rehearse a successful outcome in your mind, the picture triggers positive emotions such as confidence. Positive emotions counteract stress and relax the body. When we’re less stressed and more relaxed, our minds and bodies both work with greater precision.
Settle your nerves and prime yourself to get the results you’re looking for. Learn to use your brain to work for you rather than against you. The more you use mental rehearsal, the more effective it will be for you. Mental rehearsal has a permanent place in my pre-performance routine. What about yours?
Question: When will you give mental rehearsal a shot? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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