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A look at the psychology of sport. From the basic amateur sportsperson to the professional sportsman or woman. Sport is like good sex, enjoyable when you're doing it, great when you're winning, but even when you're losing it still beats work. - Sure does! Author's Note: In spite of the statement on the previous page, to me sport is my one great passion**. Not in the playing (because I'm a bit clumsy and very unsporty); but in the watching thereof (that sounds very stilted and formal - ye olde English ). For me watching all types of live sport is an inherently emotional experience - more so being at the actual event or seeing it through the marvel of television, as it is happening. Sport has it all: from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, the frustration of failure to the high satisfaction of success. For me, watching live sport is like being at the theatre: it has all the drama and tragedy of the human experience rolled into one. Being a totally unarty farty type, I see sport as being far more volatile than the arts; because of the direct competition between opponents. Sport is extremely challenging, which is why the psychology of sport is so important. It has been said that sport is a celebration of one's ability and potential . ** Other than/in addition to my dear wife and children ...of course. (inserted with wife standing over me with kitchen-knife in the one hand and broom-handle in the other!). PART ONE A basic introduction to the psychology of sport. Then, 1. SUCCESS 2. INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATIONS 3. ATTITUDE 4. GOALSETTING 5. COACHING: the role of coaching, communication. 6. AN INTRODUCTORY LOOK AT PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING (OR PST, as it is called): (i) the powers of concentration: How to concentrate intently and how to stay focussed (ii) overcoming stress (iii) relaxation (iv) anxiety (v) confidence (vi) self-talk, self thoughts and attitude and (vii) visualisation and (mental) imagery. PART TWO 1. MENTAL SKILLS: TRAINING YOUR MIND FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE (See MINDTRAIN) 2. SEE CONCENTRATION 3. IMAGERY 4. VISUALISATION 5. LOSING: Yes, it happens to all of us...often - even how to learn to lose graciously. 6. PUTTING YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING INTO PRACTICE. 7. MENTAL PREPARATION: The importance of effectively planning ahead. 8. WOMEN IN SPORT 9. CHILDREN IN SPORT 10. RETIREMENT FROM SPORT PART THREE PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING 1. BECOME PSYCHED TO WIN 2. BELIEF AND FAITH: the vital importance of having these key ingredients (positive outlooks). 3. CONFIDENCE 4. CHOKING UNDER PRESSURE PART FOUR: TACTICS AND STRATEGY I think that PST (or psychological skills training ) is vital to achievement. Because in sporting success, I believe, it is our mental state, which is the most vital ingredient. The reason: because it is our thoughts which largely make or break us... and I believe these principles apply in all walks of life. It really is a case of mind over matter in the way we CHOOSE to live our lives. So time to get straight into it...

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9781533066237

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Craig is an extensive world traveller (on a shoestring budget ) and failed professional emigrater who has spent most of his life's savings on airfares. He is still sliding down the razor blade of life on the beautiful undiscovered island that is New Zealand, somewhere near the bottom (rude!) of the world near Antarctica. There he talks to the 60 million sheep! Through a rather strange set of circumstances and finding himself in a small town near the bottom of the world ...and with nothing else to do, he started writing. He had been studying the amazing power of the human mind ( the last unexplored frontier ) for much of his life. Craig loves to encourage and empower people to be the best they can possibly be, and to encourage, help and support people in creating what they most want in life Together, one mind, one life (one small step at a time), let's see how many people (and lives) we can encourage, impact, empower, enrich, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials...and strive for and perhaps one sunny day even achieve their wildest dreams.

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