Sports

What makes a champion a champion? It's really simple, it's in the mind. If you strive to be the best, constant practice, endurance and strength all begin with the mind. And it's as simple as that.

Before Roger Bannister beat the four minute mile no-one had ever done it and most people said it was impossible. But soon after Bannister's achievement there were a whole strong of people beating the four minute mile – why is that? It's because people suddenly realized it was not impossible at all and the mind set had changed. Without realizing it, Bannister had changed the unconscious minds of individuals who now believed that they too could go out and break the four minute mile barrier.

Although we sometimes get lost in the battle to beat the competition or feel as though we don't fit in as part of the team – it's all about perception. The person you're up against isn't bigger or better than you. What makes a champion is the ability to train the mind. Of course it takes hard work and dedication, but if you also train your mind, then you too can rise through the ranks to become the best.

If you think you're beaten, then you probably are. If you think you'll never be as good as then next man, then you probably won't. However if you try thinking that you won't be beaten and you're a stronger more focused person than the next man, just see how much better you might feel.

Top athletes, footballers, rugby players, tennis and golf stars all need mind training at some stage in their careers. It helps to "put them in the zone" – and more importantly, keep them there.

Through Direct Change's programmes of cognitive behaviour therapy and NLP we can help increase your motivation and how you deal with fear and anxiety. After all, this could be holding you back from being the person you want to be and the best you can be.