You’re at the free throw line with :05 left on the clock, down 1. You have a 7′ par putt to win your first tournament at the next level. It’s match point on the tennis court and you’re serving.

Mental toughness isn’t something we do … it’s what we think, how we live, and choose to never settle for less. It’s not something we do on the playing field, it’s the committed decisions we make outside the athletic arena.

If we commit to the awareness of our self-talk, fear levels, and thinking every minute of the day, we’ll automatically bring this mindset to our sport. Mental toughness isn’t about being “tough” during competition, as most believe. It’s about knowing you WILL succeed, no matter the situation or statistic that explains how difficult it is. If you know there’s nothing that can stop you, you’ll forever be present and excited during those defining moments.

Mental toughness is about uncovering and realizing. You’re already good enough, mentally … you may just need help clearing the fog that isn’t allowing you to see that truth. Instead of becoming mentally tough, focus on living it!

There’s nothing better for me than talking with someone who’s totally committed and passionate about his future. The only thing that can top that is when the same player tells me that no one thinks he can do it, and it only motivates him more.

THIS is the 1% Mindset!

Today, I was fortunate enough to meet another one of those players. I can’t tell you how lucky and blessed I am to be able to learn from all of my students. Each one brings a unique quality and sense of himself / herself to the table. Being a coach means some teaching … but also means a ton of learning and looking for ways to push each other past our comfort zones.

After talking today with a player who’s struggled in the past with confidence and coaches telling him he’d never amount to anything, I hung up the phone knowing he was going to make it! Instead of quitting, as 99% of players would have, he chose to use his naysayers’ criticism as fuel. He made a committed decision to seek out a top swing coach, accumulate the correct information, and figure out how to be the best.

He repeated more than once that he wanted me to push him past his comfort zone — he enjoyed feeling uncomfortable. This fact, alone, is enough reason to believe in is future. Anyone who is comfortable with being uncomfortable will succeed at the elite level. All we have along the way are moments of uncomfortable, sprinkled with comfort here and there.

Will you wake up earlier than your opposition, knowing that while they only dream of success, you’re out there sweating for it? Will you push muscles and belief systems past the point of exhaustion, knowing that fatigue is an illusion, created by the 99%?

Look at yourself and ask the tough questions … what are your answers?