Worried that thinking about winning will jinx you? Discover what to think about in the weeks leading up to a major competition when you feel nervous, including when to focus on winning.

ThinkingAboutWinninginSportby Lisa Lane Brown

“This is the only race of my life where I just felt I was going to win. I used to think it was bad to think about winning, that I was going to jinx it.”
–Ashleigh McIvor, Olympic Gold Medalist, Ski Cross

It’s time to clear up the confusion out there about how you can JINX yourself before a big event (including what mental toughness training to do).
…and please listen up, because this is important.

You will never jinx yourself by thinking about winning BEFORE an event.

Thinking about winning is only a problem if you focus on it DURING your event.

That’s because you cannot control winning.

If you could, you’d always win.

In classic sports psychology terms, if think “outcome” during an event – about winning or performing well, you’ll probably tighten up.

It’s called PRESSING, and we’ve all done it.

When you’re PRESSING – thinking outcome – you stop focusing on what you need to do to win…such as nailing landings, getting a good start out of the blocks, moving your opponent around the court, or driving to the net.

When you focus on outcome, you lose awareness of what’s actually happening in your event, and make tiny mistakes.

So when do you think about winning?

You think about it every day leading up to your event.

In training, in practice, even as you’re falling asleep at night.

In fact, visualizing yourself winning is exactly what you should do.

But once you’re event starts, you get into the Now.

You’re busy.

You’re concentrating.

You’re focused.

You’re completely absorbed in what you’re doing.

Winning — and performing well – takes care of itself.

Besides, you’ve already programmed your mind for success.

It’s handled.
…and if you genuinely want to fast track your mental toughness, I strongly recommend you go and download the Courage to Win in Sport System now.

This System will give you the courage to win under pressure. You can even download it FREE for seven days before deciding.

Check it the Courage to Win in Sport System Free Trial here.

mind3If you are ready to make yourself a champion, I strongly recommend you do some mental toughness training for sport. It will allow you to stay the course through the obstacles and setbacks you must forge through in order to become a true superstar, winning, champion athlete.

You can get started today simply by signing for my free Never Choke Again Mental Toughness Handbook. This Handbook reveals a 3-step strategy for overcoming nerves and performing your best so you can win under pressure.

Download it for free here:

mind4download

Light it up out there,
Lisa B.

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Customer Reviews

Shannon MillerShannon Miller
Olympic Coach,
Women’s Hockey

Genuine confidence is an absolute necessity if you want to reach your potential. I’ve worked with Lisa as a personal mental toughness coach and have accessed Lisa’s talents in training teams I have coached. Lisa’s work is very effective because she delivers the training at the level the clients need…and it’s the type of training that you take with you and use on a daily basis
towards success.

Charmaine ReidCharmaine Reid,
Olympian, Badminton

I am a more focused, driven, and prepared player because of the Courage to Win®. 

Laura WarnerLaura Warner
Team Canada, Ringette

Lisa’s mental toughness online program made me a 2 time World Champion. I was ready to conquer every possible distraction in international competition. I played my best, even in the most high pressure moments.

LORI SIPPELLori Sippel
Olympian,
Women’s Softball

Have you ever heard the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, I was broke and I knew it. I knew Lisa was the person who could help me identify the root of my downward spiral. Lisa helped me “cut to the chase” and identify those things that were holding me back from attaining the mental edge I needed. Together we created a mental plan of attack that allowed me to stay empowered regardless
of the circumstances.

SHAWNEE HARLEShawnee Harle
Basketball Head Coach
University of Calgary
Mental toughness has the athletes confront their Inner barriers and access their self-confidence. I’m a better coach today because I know how to look beyond the x’s and o’s of the game. I relate to my athletes better.

Bill TschirhartBill Tschirhart,
National Development Coach For The Canadian Curling Association 
Lisa’s on-line mental toughness programme has allowed our athletes, on an individual basis, to gain the mental toughness skills so necessary in today’s world of high performance curling. It’s a winner!

CHRISTINE PARRISChristine Parris Washington
Olympian,
Women’s Softball

After mental toughness, I am now a better player physically and mentally. I am able to apply my focus for success. The program put everything into perspective for me.

Dany Urriza
Tennis Player Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina

I am 47 years old. Since I was a kid I liked to play tennis but at that time was expensive for my parents and they couldn`t afford it. Two years ago I had the chance to start having lessons, I thought that for this kind of sport you must start when you are a kid, but I was wrong. Soon I started to play matches and now I am playing in local tournaments. I have to play to 18 years old kids sometimes, and at 47 this is very tough but I like the challenge. Today against all predictions I won a tough match and I know your book helped me do it. I was most of the time down in the score, but I won anyway 4-6, 7-6, 7-6. For the first time I was able to maintain focus in the important moments in a very long match. Thank you very much!

COREY COWPERCorey Cowper
Volleyball Coach
Lisa, you won’t believe the impact “The Courage to Win®” had on my Junior Varsity Boys High School Volleyball team (gr10-11). It seemed whenever the team was in a playoff, they just could not win. For 2 full months we worked at skills and techniques to get over that hump of not being able to win the big games. Nothing seemed to work. Here in front of me was an offer to purchase an Ebook, the exercises take only 7 days. I will be honest, I was very skeptical, but it was local to Calgary and I really did not have anything to lose, except the cost of the book! I purchased the book. In 5 minutes I walked through the visualization with them, breaking down the skill to very simple components having them see themselves performing the skill through their own eyes. In a matter of 3 weeks the team went from not being able to win when it counts to losing not being an option, and our focus the entire time was never the win, but rather playing OUR style of game. I can’t say enough about how this program has positively impacted my approach to coaching.

Frank Van LervenFrank Van Lerven
3rd Ranked Dutch 60+ Tennis Player

Lisa, I played a practise (1 ½ hr) match with a promising Swiss 14 yr old at our club. He hits the ball hard, wants to become a professional etc etc. I have played him a few times. The last time was a year ago. He beat me then. And, of course, he gets better every year. I decided to put my pre-match routine in practise, even though it was not a real match. Just to have the experience. And… I played inspired, energized from the start. I also had adopted a “winning” attude. To meet him blow-to-blow on velocity and aggression, come to the net when I could etc etc. Not to wait till he would start to make mistakes or mentally break down. It was terrific. I played well from the start. But it got to 0-3 15-40. I hang in, kept believing and the tide started to turn. By 4-4 he started to change tactics (as he could not keep up with me at the back of the court!!), throwing balls in the air and so forth. I had the upperhand. I made mistakes too but on the deciding point (a running volley) to get me to 6-6 I played the volley with confidence (visualised before). It was then time. He rather did not want to play the tie break.. I felt great and the champion was fully there. My coach saw a bit, and said, he saw a “different me” on the court. One he always had know was there!To me it felt Easter Sunday came today!!

Isabelle GysiIsabelle Gysi
Lisa thank you so much for the Courage to Win! My competition was awesome. I won!!!!!! I also did a new personal best. Now my goal is to do it again at Nationals!

MattiMatti Brannagan
Thank you very much miss Lisa for The Courage to Win® in Sport. Now I know what I need to do, I was missing a few steps. Thank you again, your answers have made my day!

HeatherHeather Rankin
Finalist,
Olympic Curling Trails

With the use of Lisa’s guidance, I have learned to manage the emotions causing the stress, and I have been successful in losing 45 lbs. I have never worked with a more intelligent, talented, inspirational, and committed professional whom you gain an immediate respect and trust for. With Lisa Brown, problems are just solutions waiting to happen.

CAL WIGSTONCal Wigston
Head Coach Men’s Volleyball
University of Guelph

This past March we made it to the gold medal match knocking off the previous OUA champs in 5 sets. Thanks to your candor, honesty, insight and adviceI was prepared to coach the many different personality styles my players had and be successful. You helped me understand myself this year and what I needed to do. I am way more confident in my coaching ability – thanks so much for everything you did to help me prepare for this year.

Arlene YostArlene Yost
Golfer San Luis Obispo

Lisa, thank you! My golf game is much more consistent. I am shooting 81-84 almost every time out. I am much more relaxed and able to experience my swing much more clearly. I have also begun to develop greater confidence in my short game. I am so confident I am eager to play with players who can beat me!

Stacy WilsonStacy Wilson
Olympian
Women’s Hockey

Mental toughness training gives you confidence. It’s helped me play well under pressure and cope with injuries. I think it’s essential if you want to perform to your potential. You owe it to yourself to do mental toughness training, and Lisa Brown’s work is so practical because she teaches you skills you can use right away.

Joella Bernard Joella Bernard
Finalist, USA Women’s Heavy Bodybuilding

Your information on mental toughness saved me a great deal of money. You made it so simple, be your own mental toughness coach! In the past I would wait for other people to tell me how good I was. Now I can create this confidence from the inside. My national show is at the end of the year and I know I will turn pro. Thank you!

LEAH HEPNERLeah Hepner
Figure Skating

This course is changing me. It is changing everything about my life. I have learned how human beings work…not just in sport but in life in general. I have taught my family about the things you teach me. They are mesmerized by what I read them. To understand human emotion changes the way I think and look at myself, and others around me. I am growing.

GAIL LOHMANGail Lohman
Triathlete

At my World Triathlon Championship, your words were in my head throughout the event. I kept thinking about rhythm throughout the day. When we spoke, I told you my goal was to be top 10. I finished 9th. I finished with a PR. My previous fastest time in a race of this distance was 5:47. I was hoping to go 5:45. I finished in 5:39. I am thrilled. Another exciting part is that my husband and I finished the race together. This has never happened before. Very cool that it happened in the World Championship. You really helped!

BJ YOUNGBJ Young
Men’s Wrestling

Lisa, I purchased “the courage to win” about three weeks ago. I read it thoroughly and did all the exercises numerous times. After I had a much better understanding of my anxieties and learned how to focus my energy in a positive way. I just returned from the USA high school Senior National wrestling tournament. Before your material I placed 12th in the state of NJ.I knew I was much better than that. After using your material I just placed 3rd in the country for 130lbs. senior wrestlers. Thank you so much.I will continue to use this focus for life.

Jan PulaJan Pula
Laurentian University
Varsity Curling Coach

I recently ordered The Courage to Win® in Sport ADVANCED Course and quickly absorbed Lesson 1, including the audio. The discussion on why winning is important made a significant impact on me and I shared it with my team. We participated in a bonspiel on the past weekend without having been on the ice this year yet…Our goal was to come home with a winning record having made progress on communication systems …we lost our first game – a close one — but then went on to win 7 straight and take home the Championship Flight prize! After each win we celebrated not so much the win but the satisfaction of knowing the win showed we were “evolving” and “growing” as individuals and as a team. You would have been amazed at how that shift in perception about winning and losing created a positive environment over the entire weekend. Honestly – this one lesson I learned has been worth the cost of
the program!

Michelle StiphoutMichelle Stiphout
University Basketball 

Lisa’s course was incredibly helpful. It’s odd because psychology is my favourite subject in school, but my mental game was seriously lacking. My favourite part would be doing the assignments, I find that they ensure that I’m taking in what is being taught and that I’m applying the lesson on
the court.

Anne OttoAnne Otto
I am a lawn bowler of three years and have improved dramatically since purchasing these. I have had many comments on how well I am playing. One of the men at our club told me today that he loves the way I do it. He said every time I go out, I go out to play. How good is that! I won the two bowls singles internal Club tournament, beating the girl who has “always” won it. I am loving it!

Gigi Mcmillan Gigi McMillan
Tennis Player

I Have Developed A Level Of Confidence And Calm That Rarely Leaves Me – Almost Like I Walk On The Tennis Court Wearing
Protective Clothing.

Anne ChrzanowskiAnne Chrzanowski
ASCA Level 2 Certified Coach
Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough when a person changes your life. You have made such a huge impact on me and my life and ability to help others. I signed up to be able to better help others but it was I who really needed the Courage to Win. I needed to believe in myself to help others. Thank you for inspiring and make me better. I am so grateful!

Brenda Staniforth
Coach, 1996 Canadian Olympic Women’s Softball Team

We had become so focused on the fear of failure that we lost our confidence a lot. The mental toughness training we did with Lisa was invaluable because it allowed us to turn our focus on the game itself. More than anything, Lisa’s training works because she uses a practical approach based on real experience…she even helped me become a better coach to my athletes.

Howard Brandt
Track and Field Coach

I’m a track coach and two of my athletes (a male sprinter and female hurdler) have underperformed all season. I have coached these athletes for years. I know what they are capable of! Both have medaled at Provincial high school championships, and the male is a club champion in the 200 m. Both athletes train well, but they have not been competing to their potential, losing out on medals. My female hurdler recently lost the finals in her best event, the 400 m hurdles, entirely. My male sprinter has just lacked a killer instinct during the important final phase of his specialty, the 200 m. He has even, on several occasions, appeared to concede a second placing for a third — right at the finish line. Heading into a provincial championships this past weekend, I was thrilled to read of your very generous great jock mind launch price. I bought the package on July 14 and immediately sent the link to both of the athletes. I don’t how many of the audios they listened to, but they told me that they did listen. The result? My female hurdler won her intermediate hurdles race by a good 15 m to 20 m. Had she not faced a stiff headwind she probably would have had a personal best! Happily, my male sprinter read and listened to the audio recounting Michael Johnson’s experience of being in lane eight. Because of an administrative error, my sprinter did NOT get his proper lane assignment. He ended up with lane eight (the worst lane) in the 200 m! This was very bad news indeed. I spent a moment with him before his race and he said, “You have to work with the hand you are dealt.” He turned a disadvantage to advantage! He ran the race of his season, moving blind around the curve into a headwind (that narrowly denied him a personal best), finishing second, beating the friend who’d stolen the previous two races from him. Not a person of many words, he perfectly summed up my feelings about your work Lisa: “That lady is good.” Thanks for Secrets of the
Great Jock Mind.

Todd Sader
Elite Gymnastics Coach

Lisa thank you for giving ME the right focus for a coach – and that is being positive and patient while we work on our skill development even if it means re-teaching something I have already taught them. Sometimes an athlete will lose confidence in themselves, and lose a skill, it is our job as coaches to find ways to help them regain their confidence and belief in what they are able to do. You gave me just the tools I needed to get my athletes to overcome their fears.

Jennifer Blakenship
Lisa you helped me through a recent Karate competition. I have been above average and even had some moments of triumph and learned something hew from each situation – the new way you are discussing is great! Quite frankly I’ve also take that same mentality as I search for a job right now.

Damien Keaney
Ten years ago I started working with Lisa as a Gaelic Football player. My ability to focus and play consistently under Lisa was impressive. I always wondered why I would have one good game and then perhaps not so good. The same would even happen during a half of a game – one good and one not so good. Getting focused was life changing for me. I performed consistently and to the best of my ability using Lisa’s right focus process. I completed all of Lisa’s performance programs and enjoyed every last detail. After I finished playing I was keen to learn more from Lisa and signed up for her coaching program. I was amazed how she helped me help others. I was a manager / coach with a few teams over the following years. I developed an ability to identify players who like myself were not consistently at their best. I was able to help them and allow them the opportunity to be their best and enjoy playing. Taking the pressure off the player and making aspects of the game totally in the persons control a ‘win’ for them was something Lisa really taught me. I am now successfully manager of another team and still use the skills Lisa empowered me with.
Thank you Lisa.


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mental, mental toughness, mental toughness training, mental toughness training in sport, sport, toughness, winning, winning in sport, winning sport


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