[quote="airgun_novice"]
Dear hvj1 guruji and brihji,
Thank you both for the roving Eye of the Ancient Mariner.
Like Sir Issac Newton I need to improve the horizon of my skills and wisdom.
Unlike Sir Issac Newton, I sit at thy feet to partake of wisdom.
Hi there!,
> This thread is getting to be so interesting that - Every contributor is adding 'Pearls of Wisdom' - May the trend go on & on
> These days my moments of solitude are occupied with "What the mind can accomplish" if only one were to come to grips with it... My inner voice said "The possibilities are limitless" - I'm in a state of wonder, hence this....
How to Develop Mental Toughness
Time after time you see a promising athlete come out of college and go into the pros only to crash out. He or she had the best athletic ability, yet could not bring it out at the professional level. Others might not have great athletic ability, yet they persevere, persist & practice and go onto become super stars.
What makes them achieve this? What do you need to perform at the highest levels, which is even more important than physical ability?
The answer is Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is what separates the superstar from the merely good. It separates the musicians that play small party gigs from the rock stars. Someone without mental toughness can have all the natural talents or ability and not make it as far as someone with mental toughness with average ability.
The key to mental toughness is applying consistently the traits of:•
* SELF MOTIVATION•
* POSITIVE ATTITUDE
* EMOTIONAL SELF CONTROL
* CALMNESS UNDER FIRE
* BEING ENERGETIC AND READY FOR ACTION.
Consistency is important. Through applying these traits day in and day out, you will be able to reach new heights in whatever endeavors you seek whether it be a sport, playing a musical instrument, coding a computer application or writing a novel.
Let’s look at each of the traits of mental toughness:
SELF MOTIVATION
While some sports are team sports and other pursuits are done in conjunction with others life is pretty much played alone. Your motivation must come from within. The intensity of your motivation is determined by how badly you want to perform well.
Motivation can be strengthened many ways. Think back to a failure. That feeling can provide the motivation to keep going, keep practicing. A time of victory can also provide the motivation to reclaim that winning feeling. Use time as a motivator. While others relax you can be gaining on them increasing your skills.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
You are not going to be able to do everything. Always look for what you are good at and focus on that. By focusing on strengths, you gain confidence and inspiration from them. You can create your own positive attitude. For example, smaller pro basketball players do not try to go head to head with others over seven feet tall, they focus on their speed and ball handling skills. Focus on what your natural strengths are.
EMOTIONAL SELF CONTROL
People who are not in control of their emotions get upset when the something doesn’t go as expected. Mentally tough people have tough skins and don’t let outside circumstances affect them. There will be many times whether in a game or in life when things happen outside your control. A mentally tough person keeps their emotions in check and keeps on with the game plan they had in mind from the beginning.
CALM UNDER FIRE
Anything worth going for is going to be high pressure one time or another. Mentally tough people are at their best under pressure. Calmness under fire isn’t something you just switch on. The key here is to seek out pressure situations working up from low pressure to medium pressure to high pressure situations. Perform in front of larger and larger groups. Seek out better opponents and compete with them. What seemed like high pressure before will become the new normal for you.
ENERGETIC AND READY FOR ACTION
Mentally tough people get themselves fired up and get ready for the contest. You might be under the weather but the pride you get from doing your best makes it that much easier to succeed in all circumstances. Your performance of the day might not be your best ever, but it should be the best you can possibly give. The next time when conditions are better you will play better because you pushed yourself to give it all.
CONCLUSION
The great thing about mental toughness is that you are not born with it. You don’t have to learn it at a young age. Mental toughness comes simply from the decision to consistently apply the traits I have talked about. You can start today and reach levels of your game, relationships, and success that you never thought possible. Outstanding athletic prowess, superior intellect, cutting edge talent will take you thus far. Without mental toughness you will not reach your full potential.
Briha
I do it for my "rusted" body. In fact my body's tolerance is steadily improving and it's getting invigorated. Check out for discounted "packages" at a good Vaidyashala. That would still work out expensive as compared to the 'pehelwan'; but they are "trained" unlike the visiting pehelwan who may not have the basic physiological/ anatomical knowledge nor sensitivity to detect the stiff/ sore muscle areas. It's a trade-off. 
You shall surely excel at the RJ state competitions.
