3 Powerful Mindset Tools

Coach Janelle

Are you looking to take your running to the next level? Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the right mindset can make all the difference in achieving your goals. Let's explore 5 powerful mindset strategies that can help you become a more focused, resilient, and confident runner. From overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs to practicing mindfulness and embracing discomfort.

1. Embracing the power of positive self-talk

Positive self-talk involves consciously changing your inner dialogue from negative to positive. Instead of focusing on what you can't do or what you're afraid of, you focus on what you can do and what you're capable of achieving.

For example, instead of thinking "I'll never be able to run a 10K," you could try thinking "I'm making progress every day and I know I can do this.”

To get started with positive self-talk, try identifying some common negative thoughts that come up during your runs. Then, create a list of positive affirmations or phrases that you can use to counter those negative thoughts.

Some examples might include:

• • • • • "I am strong and capable."

        • "I am making progress every day."

        • "I am a runner and I can do this."

        • "I am confident in my abilities.”

2. Building confidence through visualization and mental rehearsal

Visualization and mental rehearsal are powerful tools that can help you build confidence, reduce anxiety, and improve performance. By vividly imagining yourself achieving your running goals, you can create a mental blueprint for success and build the confidence you need to make it a reality.

To start, find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax your body and calm your mind. Then, begin to visualize yourself achieving your running goals. Imagine yourself running with ease and grace, feeling strong and powerful. See yourself crossing the finish line of a race, or achieving a personal best time. Use all your senses to make the experience as vivid and real as possible. What does it feel like? What do you see and hear around you? What emotions are you feeling?

As you visualize your success, try to evoke strong positive emotions like joy, pride, and satisfaction. These emotions will reinforce your belief in your ability to achieve your goals and help you build the confidence you need to succeed.

Once you've visualized your success, you can use mental rehearsal to prepare for the challenges you may face along the way. Imagine yourself overcoming obstacles, pushing through pain and fatigue, and staying focused and determined. By mentally rehearsing these scenarios, you'll be better prepared to handle them when they arise in real life.

3. Learning to manage and embrace failure as part of the process

Running, like life, is full of ups and downs. One of the most important skills a runner can develop is the ability to manage and embrace failure. Whether it's missing a time goal, struggling through a difficult workout, or simply having a bad day, failure is an inevitable part of the process. But it's also an opportunity for growth and learning.

One of the keys to managing failure is to reframe it as feedback. Instead of seeing a missed goal or a tough workout as a failure, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what you can do differently next time. Did you push yourself too hard? Did you not give yourself enough recovery time? Did you not fuel properly? By identifying the root cause of your "failure," you can take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future.

It's also important to embrace failure as part of the process. Every successful runner has experienced setbacks and failures along the way. It's how you respond to those setbacks that ultimately determines your success. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than reasons to give up or doubt yourself.

It's important to practice self-compassion when you experience failure. Be kind to yourself and remember that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Don't beat yourself up over a missed goal or a tough workout. Instead, use it as an opportunity to practice self-care and self-compassion, and come back stronger next time.

Remember that success is not a destination but a journey, and setbacks and challenges are all part of the process. By embracing discomfort, learning from failures, and staying present in the moment, you can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

At Motivated in Motion, we believe that training your body is just as important as training your mind. By focusing on both aspects, you can achieve your goals in a more holistic and sustainable way. If you would like to learn more mindset tips to help you crush your goals, sign up for our newsletter and receive a FREE copy of our guide "10 Mindset Tips Oo Help You Crush Your Goals".