To succeed and perform their best, athletes need to use their minds as well as their bodies. Mental techniques help to control emotions, manage stress, and improve participation and performance.

So how do you use sports psychology and mental training to reach your health, fitness, and sports goals faster, easier, and get the results you want?

It all comes down to the 4 C's of mental preparation.

So how can you use the 4 C's in everyday life to improve your performance both on and off the field/track...

Here are MVP's top 10 mindset tips to help you build new motivation, confidence, and major breakthroughs in your fitness, your training, and your life.

Celebration

Enjoy and appreciate your fitness and strength. When you exercise, relax, and let your body do what you've trained it to do. Remember that your goals are realistic. All you need to do is perform up to your capabilities.

Focused Attention

Be aware of distractions. Breathe out unwanted thoughts with your next exhale and re-focus your attention instantly on what is important right now, at this moment.

Detach From Outcome

Look only at what you need to do right now (e.g., your pace, your breathing, your concentration); your final time, place, or score will take care of itself.

Pain as Effort

If you have good pain, the pain of effort, that is not seriously damaging your body, just shift attention to your breathing or cadence of movement, and let the discomfort fade into the background. You can also use the pain as feedback. Register it not as pain but as effort level. Say: Now I know exactly how hard Im working. I know how this pace feels. My body is doing what it should be doing.

Body Scan

Pay close attention to your tension level and training form. Do a body scan while working out and relax your tight muscles frequently. Ask yourself: Are my shoulders and neck relaxed; how does this pace feel; how much energy is left in my legs?

Break Down Your Goals

Focus on your immediate target. Break your training goals down into small, manageable pieces and begin to focus only on the first portion, not the entire workout (e.g., Say to yourself: I'm just relaxing and getting my rhythm during the first part, or the first workout session).

Use Everything To Your Advantage

Use everything in your workout to your advantage. For example, if another person passes you, tuck in behind and go with his or her energy for as long as possible. You may catch a second wind and be carried on to a personal record.

Focus On The Here & Now

Practice being in the present moment. Remind yourself to stay in the here and now. Instead of replaying past mistakes, or worrying about the future, let past and future events fade into the background. Be right on, right here, right now.

Power Words

Make positive self-statements continually. Negative thinking is common; everyone has an inner critic. Become aware of these thoughts early on. Don't fight with them; simply acknowledge their presence, and then substitute positive power words. (e.g., When you're thinking: This hurts too much, I want to lay down and die; say to yourself: This feeling is connected with getting healthier and doing my absolute best.)

Positive Images

When you are exercising, use your positive mental images throughout your workout to create feelings of speed and power. (e.g., If you're walking or running and you come to an unexpected hill visualize a magnet pulling you effortlessly to the top). Use visualization before, during, and after your training to build confidence and new motivation.

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Team MVP