Today I am going to talk about a very simple but effective technique that I have used successfully over the last few months that has allowed me to use past positive experiences to push through challenging times when I have been outside of my comfort zone and need to transform my mind into a positive state.
What I am referring to is Anchoring .
Anchoring is when we use a external stimulus to trigger a particular internal state or response .For example have you ever noticed when you think of your favorite foods you start to lick your lips ?Hmmm Steak.
I use anchoring a lot during my training to transform my mind into a positive relaxed state by focusing on my breathing first then by focusing on my five senses recalling a memory in which I felt confident and strong .I turn up the volume on what I can hear and the lights on what I can see.I have now built up a toolbox of anchors that I use both inside and outside of the gym.
We can use anchors during our training but we can also create them from our training.Imagine being able to feel calm and confident entering a interview room ,less stressed when driving or more relaxed in work knowing you have a important meeting.
The next time you get that extra push-up or lose that inch you have been working so hard to lose the past few weeks ,stop and let the anchor down capturing all the positive emotions you are feeling .What can you see,hear,taste ,touch and smell?Allow the strength that you have grown in the gym to overflow into all other aspects of your life.
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones you will have positive results” -Willie Nelson
Stand strong.
Glen