Be an actor! Actors can bring a character to life or show emotion as fear, anger, grief, sadness or happiness on demand - no matter what they are feeling. They have learned to create emotions as needed to fulfill a part. How does this relate to competitive toughness as an athlete? The answer is simple: great competitors are great actors. The best competitors have learned to create the desired emotions that are critical in competing at one's ideal competitive state - right at the time of competition.

Super athletes have learned to bring to life the feeling of confidence, high energy, relaxation, fun and challenge to the game no matter how they really feel. There will always be days when you have a headache, just had a fight with your parents/girl friend/boy friend, are tired, bored, or just feeling stressed out due to the pressures of everyday life. Do you just stop everything and call "time out" until you get over the problem? Sometimes that's possible, but most times you have to continue. You have to put your real emotions on hold and got into your "performance" mode.

This is where "tough acting skills" come into play. The way you move your body has an effect on your emotions the same way your thinking and visualization does. The way you carry your head and shoulders, the way you walk, the look on your face, your body language all affect your emotional state. Act like you are hungry to learn and you will learn, act energetic and tough and you will be energetic and tough. If you feel tired, bored or depressed, force your body to act in the opposite manner and soon your mind will follow along.

Your body and mind work together. If you allow your body to act out the normal emotions you are feeling such as tiredness, or negativity, then you are not a very good actor. Anyone can act out their normal emotions. The good actor puts aside the negative, non-performance-enhancing emotions and creates the positive emotions that heighten performance. This emotional training takes practice, just as much practice and learning a physical skill.

The thoughts and images you carry in your head have specific emotional consequences. This is why it is important to practice disciplined thinking and imagery. Though thinking will keep you from panicking when things get crazy, calm your temper when you make the unthinkable mistake, prevent you from surrendering when the battle appears lost.

When you make a mistake, show nothing but supreme confidence.

When things look tough, look and act like a courageous soldier poised for a great battle. Think poise! Courage and victory!

When the pressure is on and time is winding down, make your body come alive with the message that you love the challenge!

Practice is the ideal place to experiment with these mental and physical skills. To train your emotional responses takes the same dedication and repetition as it takes to train technical skills. The next time you feel tired, weak, sleepy...head to practice with a smile. Act positively no matter what you are feeling or what stressful situation are filling your mind. So not show any negative emotions. See yourself in difficult competitive situations...never showing weakness, no complaining, nothing negative and no matter how bad it gets.

Become a great actor and become a great competitor!