A triathlon mental training article on belief, sports psychology secrets, motivation, relaxation...

What you believe is more important than anything when you are about to begin a triathlon.

Of course, thoughts are important, but your beliefs will actually determine your results.
So I have come up with what I regard as the 5 most important beliefs to remember when you are approaching a triathlon - instill these into your mind and make them your automatic attitude to all meets from now on.

These beliefs can transform your performance without even changing a single thing in your training - they create inner change which automatically creates the outer changes you desire. But creating these beliefs is the hard work which I leave up to you - this is where your discipline must come in.

Focus upon one of these beliefs each week, and allow it to wash through your mind regularly throughout that entire week. Then, the following week, focus upon the 2nd belief, and then the 3rd week on the third belief, and so on - until they become a normal part of your everyday belief system and mental attitude. If after 5 weeks you do not feel they have become part of your belief system, repeat this 5 week process again until they are.

As soon as these begin to become your firm beliefs, you will begin to notice a major shift forward in your results - and the results will begin to flow through much more easily.

Please note: These are purely thoughts you need to think only - NOT to be spoken to others.

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Belief No. 1 - I HAVE NO LIMITS

"I feel great today and there's nothing I can't do, and no-one I can't beat, today. What's to stop me? Everybody look out!"

You must know that there is absolutely nothing to stop you putting in a great performance. Think of yourself as unlimited, unstoppable, unbeatable, supreme and all-powerful.

Belief No. 2 - THESE CONDITIONS ARE PERFECT FOR ME!

"These conditions are perfect for me today! There's water for me to swim in, road for me to bike on, heaps of competitors....(etc), and it's a great day for a win!"

It doesn't matter what the conditions are - this must be your attitude regardless. Every day must be a perfect day to compete from now on. Don't let conditions get in the way of a great performance.

Belief No. 3 - I'VE DONE THE WORK, AND I BELIEVE IN MY ABILITY

"I deserve to win this race - I've done the work, put in the hours, and somebody has to win it - so why not me? I know I'm going to give this race a real shake, because I'm good enough to beat any of these people".

Know that you can achieve your goal. Why shouldn't you?

Belief No. 4 - NOTHING CAN AFFECT ME

"I'm a machine! Nothing can bother me or stop me today, not the competitors, not the conditions, not anyone else's opinions, nothing! I'm completely in control of my own thoughts. I'm untouchable".

Never let anybody's comments or attitude get in your way - stay with your own positive thoughts, and surround yourself with positive people.

Belief No. 5 - YOU HAVE ME TO WORRY ABOUT!

"These guys must be worried about me in this race - I'm going to be very tough to beat today!"

Don't waste your time worrying about your competitors - let them worry about you instead.
Allow your mind to focus only upon positive things, leave it to your competitors to wallow in their doubts and fears.