Positive thinking is a mind set that helps you perform to your best even in the most challenging situations. At the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Rafael Nadal the number two player in the world and two time winner of the tournament, was facing an unknown player ranked 100 in the world, Lukas Rosol, from theCzech Republic. In each of his previous 5 appearances atWimbledon, he had lost in the qualifying rounds never even reaching the main draw. The odds of Rosol beating Nadal were extremely, extremely low. However, someone apparently forgot to tell Sokol about it.
Rather than appearing anxious or intimidated, Rosol, was hitting with authority and maintained a cool, composed, business like attitude. Nadal was playing pretty well and wasn’t having an off day. Yet Rosol kept the pressure on. Even when Rosol missed a number of shots (unforced errors) he continued to go for his shots and hit a surprising number of amazing winners.
People who use positive thinking stay focused in the present moment and don’t over analyze a situation. When this optimistic attitude lines up with their natural talent, it allows them to perform at their best.
Positive thinking helps individuals get and stay in the “zone”, a reference to performing a task at an extremely high level in an apparent automatic and effortless way.
Often times, it is actually easier to compete in a situation where you are the clear underdog and not expected to win. There is no pressure on you to achieve or succeed. You don’t have to worry about disappointing others. You are therefore free to try new things or a different game plan. The worst that happens is you lose, which is what was “supposed” to happen anyway.
The idea that you have “nothing to lose” frees you to perform with a greater sense of freedom and ease which can propel your usual performance to an unusually higher level of functioning.
So, next time you face a tough opponent or a challenging situation, let you positive thinking kick in and believe in yourself and abilities and let whatever happens happen. Good things may happen!
