Article by Zhang Xinyue of Create Abundance.
What do Derek Jeter, LeBron James, and the Super Bowl-winning 2013 Seattle Seahawks all have in common? Not only have these athletes achieved the highest championship honors in their respective sports, but they have also used a mindset of mindfulness to create abundance and achieve the right mindset for victory.
According to New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, he has practiced meditation since 2012 and was able to improve his play on the baseball field after gaining a mental edge through mindful practices. Furthermore, LeBron James, one of the greatest players in NBA history, has been seen meditating on the sidelines during timeouts. During their Super Bowl season, coach Pete Carroll led his Seattle Seahawks teams in meditation sessions with a sports psychologist.
All of these athletes have realized that a focused mindset free of negative emotions is most conducive to success. Being a professional athlete comes with a good amount of psychological stress. There is pressure to perform from the fans, the media, and teammates. Also, these athletes compete on the world stage and are watched by millions of people while competing to win at the highest level.
Learning to adopt a mindset of calm mindfulness frees athletes from the stressors that hinder them from winning. Athletes who train their minds to be still are less likely to crumble under the pressure of high-stakes competition. As a whole, they are better equipped to play at the highest level without distractions and mental blocks. Create a mindset of abundance by focusing only on positive thoughts and you may unlock the secret of becoming a high-performance competitor.
Zhang Xinyue is the author of the book Create Abundance. The book is a collection of Teacher Zhang Xinyue’s words of wisdom concerning body-mind-spirit cultivation. Originally published in 2012, it has remained a best seller. It has been translated to numerous languages.