With Winning In Mind: What Are You Picturing in Your Mind? (Chapter 1)

It this Pink or Purple Elephant? 

This is a chapter-by-chapter summary of a book by Lanny Bassham's With Winning in Mind (2012) series. One chapter, one article. Read this summary, buy the book. Enjoy!

“I had a baseball coach once who always said, ‘Whatever you do Bassham, don’t strike out.’ What do you picture when I say, ‘Don’t strike out’? It is impossible to think about hitting the ball if you are picturing striking out”
(Lanny Bassham)

Lanny writes, “It is impossible to picture winning and losing at the same time. You are either picturing something that will help you or something that will hurt you.” It doesn’t really matter which words we use when we think or talk. What matters is the picture that gets created in our minds.

Think about this: What happens when I say, “Don’t think about a pink elephant?” Damn right, your mind pictures a pink elephant. What happens when you’re about to hit the ball and you or someone else is constantly telling you, “Don’t strike out! Don’t strike out! Don’t strike out!” Yep, you will picture yourself NOT hitting the ball, but striking out instead. This is HUGELY important.

We have to take control of our mental pictures. Everything we’re picturing either helps us and moves us in the right direction or harms us and moves us in the wrong direction. Just like every action and every decision you make… every mental picture you create in your mind either helps you achieve your goals or moves you further away from your goals. It doesn’t matter who creates the picture in your mind. It could be your coach, your parents, your friends, or yourself. What matters is the picture that gets created. Keep that in mind.

Control Your Mental Picture.

Have a Winning Mindset!