Never Give Up! (part two)
In part one I described and gave several examples of how a slight change in my attitude, mindset, and focus has dramatically increased my success. I want to go into a little more detail as to specific changes that were made.
The very first thing I did after taking that zero in LaCrosse in 2004 was to throw away results, I didn’t want to know where I finished, where I was in the points, etc. I stopped going on the web to check results other to see how fish were caught. As far as the 2004 BFL (Great Lakes Division) season ending points went, I had know clue where I was or how I finished the season until a week after the last tourney. I looked that up just to see if I was going to the regional tournament or the Wildcard (the Wildcard of course).
I had to teach myself that I had to catch the fish first then the stats and points would come; you would think that was a no brainer (not for a guy who deals with numbers all day in my other profession; real estate appraiser). The fact is that I wanted this so bad I was more concerned with having success than actually achieving it. Once I had the right mindset this actually came pretty easy; not the success but not paying attention to stats.
The next step was to work on my mental focus and endurance; physical fatigue was also occurring around the same time at the same rate. What was it that would cause me to lose focus 3-4 hours in? Short of hiring a very expensive sports psychologist I had to search for this on my own. I did read several books on the subject; how to prepare for competition, imagery, strategies of great athletes (Jordan, Tiger, Van Dam, Favre), diet, etc. The previously mentioned athletes are in my opinion the most mentally tough competitors to ever compete; no matter the sport.
As far as the mental aspect on the water, I would go fish just a few hours at a time; but I would use that few hours to focus harder than I ever have. Focus on each aspect, time management, casting (make each one count), discovering a pattern of the fish, and listening to my guts (becoming one with water, fish, and your surroundings). I would start with 2-3 hours and over a few weeks work my way up to 8-9 hours at a time. I basically used a lot of will power, I wanted it, worked for it, and never let up. But you have to be able to do this exercise with no distractions; no buddies in the boat, turn the cell phone off, and so on.
With this new focus I have been able to tune into my gut reactions much better as to what is happening on the water. You know that little voice that speaks to you from your stomach. Not the one you hear from your head; but when you can physically hear it from your stomach and you listen to it; and when you do success comes. When you ignore it; the voice in your head then asks that one dreaded question. What if?
My other mental preparation includes mapping out my tournament days as far as where I would like to be and at what times. This was Plan A (Plan A assumed everything was going according to schedule); Plans B, C, & D were adjustments if I had nothing going or one of my areas is producing better than expected. By writing down several game plans, keeps me from that ‘oh I got 3 hours’ what to do panic. You see if I fish well and follow my plan and still don’t catch the fish; well that’s the fish’s fault, not mine. Whereas before I wouldn’t have much of plan or would have one in my head and not on paper. Well in the excitement of tournament day if panic sets in kiss those memorized plans good by!
Another big reason for losing focus is physical fatigue; standing on the bow of the boat with a foot on the trolling motor in every type of weather condition possible can take its toll over 2, 3, or 4 days in a row. I found a little exercise (push ups, sit ups, and walking) can go along way if followed up with a decent diet. Especially your diet on tournament day; your body needs energy to keep going physically and mentally. During tournament days I now force myself to stop and eat something. That something usually consists of at least one energy drink, water, fruits, nuts, and usually a peanut butter sandwich. All of this seems to keep me going from take off thru weigh in.
As you see; I didn’t make any dramatic changes; I just fine tuned the focus and edge that was hidden and needed to be found, nurtured, and let out. We all have it; and the best part is; that by working on this part of my game other aspects of my every day life have also improved.
The final and probably the most important thing I attribute any success to; is the power of prayer and a relationship with God. He is always there when I need him and he is always there to slap me upside the head when I need it; and point me in the right direction. It is just up to me to listen....
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