Hit the Ball

This past week I had a conversation with a mentor about great coaching.

His son is playing little league and developing into a great hitter. Before his son goes up to bat, he tells himself, “I’m going to hit the ball.” My mentor explained that the coach of the little league team tells the players, “Don’t think about striking out. Don’t think about what happened last time. You’re just going to hit the ball.”

This says so much about the power of visualization and positive affirmation and being present in the moment. I responded that I wished I had someone to tell me that when I have to do something challenging. And then I realized that I do - it’s me. The really great thing about this coaching strategy is that it allows the individual to become their own coach, to build their own self-confidence, and direct their own self-talk.

So this week I’m practicing this visualization, to really feel it in my bones; I’m going to hit the ball, nail the interview, enjoy the concert, before I do it. I’m not going to think about what could go wrong or what happened last time. Then I get to show up fully present with the experience in the moment.