By: April Clay
Question:
There are some people, some fellow competitors, who try to ‘psyche me out’ sometimes.
They say these little comments to try and get me off my ride. I find this annoying, and worse yet, I sometimes fall for it!
How can I become mentally tough enough to deal with these kinds of people?
Answer:
Ah, the psyche out. Whispers and comments that undermine your confidence and ultimately your performance.
Unfortunately, there are still competitors out there who think this tactic is fair game, and yes, you should learn how you can fortify yourself against these energy stealers.
First of all, try not to be too hard on yourself for being affected by these kinds of people. Everyone has their soft spots, so striving to be perfect is definitely not the answer.
All athletes need to learn to recognize and “park” unhelpful emotional reactions. If you think you have trouble offloading negative comments from fellow competitors, try ignoring someone screaming obscenities in your face or attacking you personally.
In some sports, the psyche out is right out there in the open, there’s no way to miss it. But there are ways you can learn how to manage the psyche out, and your number one weapon is emotional control.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “Don’t let them get your goat.” Apparently, the origin of this saying goes back to the early days of horse racing. Goats were placed with nervous racehorses to keep them calm.
If the competition wanted to get an edge, they would steal the goat the night before the race. So, if you seek to tie up your goat it means you prepare yourself for trying emotional times.
The best way to do this is to know yourself, and your triggers. Does a certain kind of person get under your skin? Why? We all have weak spots, but knowing what they are and how they get activated is the first step to making a plan to deal with them.
So ask yourself, how can you more securely tether your goat?
Once you know your triggers you can be prepared. Try a visual image. Imagine the words bouncing off you and falling to the ground. Or turn it around to your advantage.
Given that most of the “psychers” are doing so because they see you as a threat, decide to turn their words into a veiled compliment.
The next time someone delivers a sneaky barb, say to yourself, “Thanks, I didn’t realize you were so worried about how well I am going to ride today.” You might just ride off more confident than you started!
But perhaps the best defense against the psyche-out is a good offence. If you can figure out how you sometimes psyche yourself out, you will be a less-likely target for someone else.
The personal psyche out happens to all of us, because, again, we are all part of that club called humans.
Chartered psychologist April Clay is a former A Circuit rider and a member of the Canadian Mental Training Registry. She performs seminars and consultations in equine sports psychology including: Individuals or groups, On the ground or mounted, Email consultations. The perfect topic for your next association meeting! To find out more, call (403) 714-2529, email: april@bodymindmotion.com or visit www.bodymindmotion.com.
