Getting Back On Track When Sidetracked

By Author: Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.
Total Articles: 10
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Good results will come from doing your job well in the process. Don't set yourself up for failure by projecting outcomes or final results.
In my work in sports psychology, I talk a lot about focusing on the process instead of end results. Good results will come from doing your job well in the process. Don't set yourself up for failure by projecting outcomes or final results. Thinking about outcomes won't help you execute the current play or shot right now. An outcome focus is only a distraction that takes the mind away from what is relevant and makes you afraid of negative consequences. In order to perform your best, stay focused on playing one throw at a time, one play at a time, or one pitch at a time. If you start to think ahead or get distracted, catch yourself immediately and refocus on the next shot. This is a basic skill in sports psychology that athletes must master. I use a simple method to help athletes get back on track when off-task. This is called the Three R's: Recognize—Regroup—Refocus. 1. The first step to changing behavior is to recognize faulty thinking. Here you recognize that ...
... you are thinking ahead about future outcomes (What if I miss this shot and the team loses?). 2. The next step is to interrupt the faulting thinking. Regroup by distracting yourself to stop the chain of thought (Stop thinking about the final score or if we win or lose! That won't help you execute.). 3. The last and most important step is to refocus on the task in front of you. You can do this by asking yourself a simple question: What do I need to focus on right now to hit this shot and execute successfully? The goal of using the three R's is to help you refocus on the process of execution when you get sidetracked. It's OK to lose your focus momentarily, and most athletes do at one time, but good athletes recognize when they are off task and get back to playing in the here and now. Next time you notice you are not off-task, try the three R's. About the Author Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a leading mental game coach who consults with professional and amatuer athletes. He is the author of Going Low, Peak Performance Golf, The Mental Game of Golf and The Mental Art of Putting. For more information call (888) 742-7225. Or sign up for free mental game tips newsletter at: www.peaksports.com.