THE CONSCIOUS EFFORT, A CASE FOR P.R.

Following the idea of "taking ownership", there is no question that you may find yourself ready to own up to the challenges of your goal or dreams. How can you go about living it? Before I proceed let me define some terms to better explain the details of which will help you understand the importance of this next step toward higher levels of performance. Then I will end with a literary description of this action as it pertained to a professional athlete and his success.
TERMS OF POINT:
EMOTION: A mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling: the emotions of joy, sorrow, reverence, hate, and love. A state of mental agitation or disturbance: spoke unsteadily in a voice that betrayed his emotion. The part of the consciousness that involves feeling; sensibility: “The very essence of literature is the war between emotion and intellect” (Isaac Bashevis Singer). (sourced via answers.com)

CONSCIOUS: Mentally perceptive or alert; awake: The patient remained fully conscious after the local anesthetic was administered. Capable of thought, will, or perception: the development of conscious life on the planet. Subjectively known or felt: conscious remorse.
Intentionally conceived or done; deliberate: a conscious insult; made a conscious effort to speak more clearly. Inwardly attentive or sensible; mindful: was increasingly conscious of being watched. Especially aware of or preoccupied with. Often used in combination: a cost-conscious approach to further development; a health-conscious diet. (sourced via answers.com)

EFFORT: attempt: earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try" use of physical or mental energy; hard work; "he got an A for effort"; "they managed only with great exertion"campaign: a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the cause of world peace"; "the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"; "the movement to end slavery"; "contributed to the war effort" deed: a notable achievement; "he performed a great deed"; "the book was her finest effort" (wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn).

Based upon the above definitions we can say 'The Conscious Effort' is a deliberate, mindfully attentive, physical, and mental attempt.... in this case to pursue a system or task to attainment.

I've taken the time to highlight the definition of emotion, because it seems to clearly oppose the exact direction by which I am suggesting is a course of action to improved performance. Yes, our emotions are spontaneous reactions, that trigger physiological, and thus potentially mental responses that may lead to grave losses of energy. A big limitation to consider is the idea that with the physiological responses to our spontaneous emotional reactions comes patterns of moderate addiction or habit and thus creating a greater limitation to over come. Consider conservation of energy your task to achievement of your goal. Yes, Energy is the resource which can be depleted and will hinder your performance if allowed to diminish, so what does this have to do with conscious effort? Well, it implies the importance of decisively determining the path to be taken to minimize distractions. Because this area of conversation involves a much great system of management, I want to get back to why we are here.

Consider this, "A growing body of research suggests that as little as 5% of our behaviours are consciously self-directed. We are creatures of habit and as much as 95% of what we do occurs automatically or in reaction to a demand or an anxiety" (James Loehr, et. al. 166). Take a few moments and consider this statement. Now, consider what you have heard before, "winning is a habit, therefore so is loosing." I'm going out on a limb here and am going to say the same for any degree of success. Whatever the course, building a routine that helps you to perform more effectively to achieve what you are preparing for is integral to your success. In the past 10 years I have undoubtedly solidified this concept with proof, but it is the athlete which must take the steps and believe. So, the ball is in your court and it doesn't take much evidence aside a few definitions, and a few simple facts to realize the importance of making a "conscious effort" of commitment toward your goal. That is the first step, the second step will only be highlighted here, because it is a post in and of it's self. Step two is establishing positive rituals into your day to day life. Before I accidentally begin to expand, here is evidence of this success of both these steps, but in my mind no better evidence of the power of "POSITIVE RITUAL" setting.

(This is an excerpt from chap. 10 of The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz)

Ivan Lendl was far from the most physically gifted tennis player of his ear, but for five years he was the number one ranked player in the world. His edge was in the routines that he built. It is no surprise that Lendl practiced long hours on the court, ore even that he did so at very precise times. What set him apart from other players on the tour was that he followed similar routines in every dimension of his life. He developed a rigorous fitness regimen off the court, which included sprints, middle-distance runs, long bicycle rides and strength training. He did regular ballet bar exercises to increase his balance and grace. He adhered to a low fat, high complex-carbohydrate diet and ate at very specific times.
Lendl also practiced a series of daily mental-focus exercises to improve his concentration-and regularly introduced new ones to assure that they remained challenging. At tournaments, he gave clear instructions to friends and family not to burden him with issues that might distract him from his mission. Whatever he did, he was either fully engaged or strategically disengaged. He even meticulously scheduled his daily afternoon naps and regularly scheduled massages. On the court, during matches, he relied on another set of rituals to keep himself centered and focused, including visualizing entire points before playing them and following the same multiple-step ritual each time he stepped up to the line to serve. -end of except.

OK, so there you have it the impact of positive rituals as it pertains to the conscious effort, energy conservation, and success. Let me put "the nail in the coffin by listing these facts: "Positive energy rituals are powerful on three levels. 1. They help us to insure that we effectively manage energy in the service of whatever mission we are on. 2. They reduce the need to rely on our limited conscious will and discipline to take action. 3. Finally, rituals are a powerful means by which to translate our values and priorities into action-to embody what matters most to us in our everyday behaviors." (et. al. pg 166)

TAKING OWNERSHIP

On May 15, 1965 Jim Ryun ran a 3:58.3 mile during the Kansas State Championships against purely high school competition.
This has to be one of the greatest track photos of all time!


In my years of coaching I often found myself helping athletes to better realize and achieve their stated goals and on occasion it became very obvious what they could achieve along the way. Therefore, it was common to suggestively state goals in various forms, in the hope that they might embrace the feat as there very own. I call this "TAKING OWNERSHIP". A quality many athletes have much difficulty applying or even conceptualizing upon suggestion. I believe, and can only suggest that this resistance is more an issue of belief, faith, or even trust within a coach athlete relationship. Further, it has been obvious in those years of coaching at the point of hire that there was some doubt, often I found ways of proving myself to enhance the trust. I have also experienced the opposite where no matter how often I proved myself worthy and honest toward an athlete's goals that trust remained an issue. It became evident that relationship, and ownership were critical components to be enlisted in advance.
Additionally, I'm not suggesting that I nor any other coach will always know what is best, but sometimes if the coach is in an objective position some aspects are more visible from the "out side" and the decision is in the hands of the athlete. More simply put, taking ownership enhances an athlete's coach ability, allowing the athlete to realize there may be opportunities to grow, aside what is regarded as the typical coach/athlete relationship (suggesting mainly physical training as a the only variable role). Because 'coaching' is as much about environment, the mind, and even spiritual energy, as it is the quality of relationship between coach and athlete, I believe this to be a fitting post to prepare each reader for the coming ideas. Consider this post a prerequisite to come to terms with the ideas as facts and life proven characteristics and methods of success and I believe most will find the information useful toward enhancing performance.

Here is an excerpt from "THE COURAGE TO RUN" by Jim Ryun, it perfectly describes the process of ownership, in his own words, and how this very idea was/is critical to his goal pursuit.

I had almost completed my first year of running, and I was tired. The Kansas winter was in full fury, dumping several feet of snow. Biting wind whipped incessantly through the streets of my hometown of Wichita. Half frozen, I staggered into Coach Timmons' office a the Wichita East Natatorium, the smell of chlorine and the warm, moist air hitting me simultaneously. It was early, well before the start of the school day, but Timmie was already at his desk.
"How are you doing, Jim?" he asked, setting aside his notepad and leaning back in his chair. In the year since I had begun running, he and I had forged a strong relationship. I went from an unknown sophomore to his top runner, both in cross-country and on the track. I was training harder than I had ever imagined I could, and in the pursuit of the four minute mile.
"Coach, " I said, sagging into the chair in his office, "I'm not sure I can do this." Timmie nodded. "I didn't say it was going to be easy." "I'm not sure how many more mornings I can get up and run in this weather. It's cold, lonely and dark. The milkman is even telling me it's so cold I could freeze my lungs." Coach leaned back in his chair, silent for a moment. "Jim, I can't make you do this," he said. "This is your decision. You have to decide what you want. But I will tell you this. I have never seen a young man with such talent. I think you have the ability to do great things. You've just got to stick in there."
Years later, I would realize that Timmie wanted me to take ownership of the effort. he knew that if I viewed this as Coach wanting me to do it or if I thought that he was saying maybe I could do it, i would view this training as just another thing to do, with no passion involved. During that conversation, I realized that the four-minute mile was something I wanted, and i was willing to passionately pursue it, even on cold, lonely mornings.
The next morning, I was out the door, logging a five-mile run through the snowy streets of Wichita. Mile by mile, as I persevered, the training took hold. It wasn't an overnight transformation, but heading into the 1964 track season, i was a new man. Mentally toughened by the hard solo morning runs in the harsh winters of Kansas, I stepped to the starting lines of races with confidence. -end of entry

THE MIND

As a Coach for the better portion of the last 8+ years, I frequently ponder this question: WHAT DOES IS TAKE TO BE A CHAMPION?

I have been fortunate enough to have had opportunities as an athlete, student, and coach, to witness first hand a variety of men and women who hold or have obtained the "title" of 'champion'. I've taken time and spent well earned dollars to communicate with some of the most influential people in various sports to attempt to better understand this very question. This interest and passion has formed a very specific belief and awareness to several processes of what I believe an athlete really does require to achieve greatness. Of course I can't exclude talent, or even suggest of certain outcomes given certain characteristics, but I will go as far to say that many individuals can greatly improve their outcomes based upon obtaining some of the CHAMPION CHARACTERISTICS. Here is a notation about Muhammad Ali and what helped him build the confidence needed to compete at a world champion level.

(Below is an excerpt of Marshall Kauffman's blog entry on the question so many athlete, fans, and coaches pose, I've also provided a link in case you find yourself wanting to look further on the views of a professional boxing trainer.) www.readingeagle.com/blog/kings/archives/2005/04/


Some people think that the bigger stronger guy will always win. Well that is not the case when it comes to boxing.
In my opinion when it comes to boxing and going after the ultimate prize of becoming a World Champion, you must have a lot more then just big muscles. Yes that helps as well, it also helps to be a great athlete who can learn fast and who can do things that the average person can not do.In my opinion it takes so much more then that. You first must have a great team of people who really care about the fighter and they must have an ultimate goal of becoming a World Champion. They must all be on the same page as to what they expect from each other. There must be a leader as there is in any business or in any home as well. They are just a few things that it takes as a team. As a fighter it takes a strong and well conditioned body, but most important it takes a strong & well conditioned mind to be a Champion.The great Muhammad Ali had always said that he was the greatest and he believed it as well. Ali used to run until he was completely tired and then he went in the gym and boxed 15 rds. He knew that there was no man that could do what he was doing. What he did that was so amazing was that this whole time he was conditioning his mind to know that he was the Greatest.