So this
is a very powerful mental "anchoring"
technique you can use in your training to set yourself
up for peak performance every time. It's a trick
I learned about 17 years ago and it still works
for me to this very day.
Basically,
you need to do it when you're performing a GREAT
workout...a workout when you're achieving peak performance
and the weights are just flying up. Because what
we want to do is train your body to replicate that
peak performance state through mental and physical
cues that you're going to "anchor" your
peak performance to.
So don't
use this on a workout when you're dragging...use
it only when you're cranking!
Here's
what you do...
1. During
that great workout, right before you're about to
do a set that you KNOW you're going to power through,
close your eyes and sit quietly on a bench and think
of a visual in your head...could be anything...I
like to use a visual of a nuclear bomb explosion
:)
2. At
the same time, do a PHYSICAL cue...this could
be pinching your nose...making a "tent"
with your fingers like Mr. Burns on the Simpsons...doesn't
matter. The key is that should be something you
NEVER do in regular life. We want this physical
cue to be something exclusive to this peak performance
state.
3. Do
this for 10 to 15 seconds, until you've pretty much
shut everything else out. When your mind is focused,
NOW do that exercise and just CRANK it out.
4. If
it truly was a peak performance, repeat those two
cues (visual and physical) again immediately after
the set.
5. The
cues are set! To reinforce them, repeat this "cue
setting" before and after your next peak performance
sets in your workout.
What
this is going to accomplish is put your mind in
a "peak performance state." It immediately
tells your body what's going to happen and prepares
it for the work ahead. This helps TREMENDOUSLY with
focus and I've found it be extremely effective.
Like
I mentioned above, though, be sure and set these
cues ONLY when you're having a great workout - you
don't want to attach to a mediocre one.
When
you're ready to use the cues, they'll be there to
help you get into that same mental state and prep
for a monster lift!
That's
my anchoring trick...give it a try next time you
hit the "zone" in your training. It'll
help you get right into that peak state immediately!
