Learning to control the controllable is one of the most essential mental skills that leads to high performance. To control the controllable we need to dedicate all of our energy to those aspects in our lives that we have direct control over. As we control the controllable the other aspects of our lives will naturally be affected.

 

Enter Dr. Manning:

I was working with an athlete and I was getting him to work on the skill of controlling the controllable.

We identified the skill and we talked about how important it is for him to put all of his energy into the things he had control over, and not to waist any energy on what he does not have control over. He spent the last week and a half focusing on this skill. Writing it down everyday in step two of the mental strength journal to bring his mind and attention to the skill.

He reported back to me after a week and a half. He was amazed at how focusing on controlling the controllable seemed to simplify his life making it more black and white. It helped him to really focus on the things that are important in his life.

He use the example of driving on the freeway: “I’m just so much more aware of what lane I have to be in to get off at the right exit,” he said. “Instead of allowing all my thoughts to get carried away with all the things I don’t have control over and create chaos and havoc on the freeway because I wasn’t staying focused on the things I have control over.”

He talked about how this skill of controlling the controllable enabled him to take more ownership of his role on the football team and the things he had control over on the field.  He mentioned, “I could really take pride in my responsibilities on the football field and what my job was on the team and really work hard to maximize it.”

This was some really interesting feedback, even though we don’t like to use the word pride, this showed how the skill of controlling the controlling can transform the way we approach life.

Over time focusing on this skill the athlete continues to feel like he’s been set free. He tells me that he is loving life, and wants to continue to improve the skill of controlling the controllable.

 

Application:

• Plug in “Control the controllable” into step 2 of your Mental Strength Journal.

• If you are having problems identifying exactly what you have control over and what you don’t, take out a piece of paper, draw a line down the middle, write “In my control” at the top of one column and “Not in my control” at the top of the other. Then carry the paper with you (along with a pen) throughout your day. Every time you encounter something that is directly in your control note it on the paper, and do the same with the things you find that are not in your direct control. Review the paper at the end of the day.

• As you’re evaluating the day in steps 3 and 4 of your Mental Strength Journal be deliberate in only writing down your strengths and one weakness that you have control over. Don’t waist energy thinking about things that are out of your control.

 

The Fearless Mind resource center is a critical mental tool for any individual wanting to improve their performance in athletics, business, or personal achievement. Each subscriber gets over 32 individual mental training videos, access to the Mental Strength Journal, the statistics page, and The Zone, a special area with exclusive video content uploaded weekly all for only $20 a month. Click here to sign up

The Fearless Mind Mental Strength Journal was designed by Dr. Manning for any individual in their athletic, professional, or personal lives to overcome challenges and reach their goals.

 

Enter Dr. Manning:

I was meeting with a young up-and-coming athlete, and as she progressed to the point of competing against some of the best athletes in the world in her sport she had some big challenges come up in her life. They were challenges that had nothing to do with her athletic endeavors, and to add to that she suffered a season ending injury. She required surgery and a long period of recovery ahead of her. The injury put her off significantly going into an olympic year.

Despite her challenges she worked hard and recovered rapidly to the pleasure of her coaches. Everyone was excited for her prospects that upcoming year.

When I sat down with her I asked, “What is signally the most important thing you’ve done to to help you with this recovery and overcoming all your challenges?”

She answered quickly without hesitation showing me that her mind was in the right place and she was dialed in. She told me, “Being strict about using the Journal.” She went on saying that the journal was critical in overcoming her personal challenges and her injury.

“When I use that journal I am so much more focused everyday,” she explained. “I feel like I am in control of my own life’s destiny.”

She pointed out the importance of steps 3 and 4 in the journal: “Particularly the ‘3-to-1’. When I evaluate 3 things I do well, I’m constantly looking at what I’m doing well and what’s going well in my life and other people’s lives. Instead of looking at what’s going wrong. In contrast to where I was 6-8 months ago, it’s amazing the difference it’s made.”

Consistently using the journal is the key to making a difference in our lives. “I’m using it everyday. Seven days a week,” she told me. “I use it all the time. That is the key for me to get back as quickly and as strong as I am. I’m just feeling so more free. I feel like I am in control of my life.”

I love that!

The Mental Strength Journal it is a tool. It’s a tool to help us do research on our own performance and our own life. If we discipline ourselves to use the journal it is amazing what it can do for us.

 

Application:

• Use The Mental Strength Journal in The Fearless Mind resource center everyday. As you do you will begin to feel more in control of your life
• Focus on completing steps 3 and 4. Doing so will help you focus on the positive aspects of each day motivating you to work harder and be happier
• Remember, the resource center will keep all your entires on record so you can look back as you research your own performance. Approach the Journal as a tool to do research on yourself

 

Link to the Journal HERE

 

The Fearless Mind resource center is a critical mental tool for any individual wanting to improve their performance in athletics, business, or personal achievement. Each subscriber gets over 32 individual mental training videos, access to the Mental Strength Journal, the statistics page, and The Zone, a special area with exclusive video content uploaded weekly all for only $20 a month. Click here to sign up