Pursuing Extraordinary Mental Toughness

Can you Imagine ESPN doing a story about your mental toughness on the court?  How would you feel?  What would you say if they ask you how you got so mentally tough?

We've all heard the saying, "When the going gets tough - the tough get going." You might have heard your parents or a coach say it, right?

What they are really saying is, "Are you tough enough? Are you, gonna get-going?

So, we've got to ask ourselves, "What is mental toughness? And, How do you train for it?

Listen to Lewis Pugh's story and what he says about the ingredients of toughness. Mental Toughness is a product of controlling your thoughts, facing your fears, getting focused and motivated, and committing yourself 100% to just doing it!

You CAN apply those simple lessons to your world of competition on the basketball court. If you apply Lewis Pugh's extraordinary mental toughness mindset to your dream, how would your story read? How would that feel?

Let's look further at how a veteran student-athlete views mental toughness on the basketball court and then consider how to train for it. Yes, I know he is a professional and a freak athlete! But, in many ways, he is just like you, and me, and Lewis Pugh.

Think about it?  How far are you willing to go? Are you willing to pursue extraordinary mental toughness? Extraordinary anything? It's your world. It's your story. And your family is going to love you anyway you go, whatever you do. But, will you?

Someone ask, "where do I start"?  How do I get tougher? Let's reach out to one of Coach K's former Duke stars to get some answers. Do you remember Jay Bilas? Jay wrote an article outlining 33 specific keys to improve your mental toughness on the court. The good news is that it is tough stuff you can do today. So, if you wanna get started, read his article here:  Jay Bilas on the biggest key to the success of the Blue Devils in 2009-10  Study the list. Think, what does my team need right now? Ask yourself, what is my coach expecting right now? Which key will make you shine?

Now, everyday, bring a few of Jay Bilas's keys with you to the court and apply Lewis Pugh's lessons to extraordinary accomplishment. Do it today, and everyday:

1. Control Your Thoughts
2. Face Your Fear
3. Focus/Find your "Why"
4. Commit 100%
5. Get started, Just Do It!

Are you tough enough to do it? Make the critics eat their words!