Jason Selk - 10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program for Winning Before the Game Begins

10-MINUTE TOUGHNESS

THE MENTAL-TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WINNING BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS

JASON SELK

FOREWORD BY JEFF WILKINS, NFL PRO BOWL KICKER

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DOI: 10.1036/0071600639

Contents

Foreword by Jeff Wilkins Acknowledgments

Introduction

PHASE 1 : The Mental Workout

CHAPTER 1

Centering Breaths

Controlling Your Biology

CHAPTER 2

The Performance Statement

Simple and Concrete

CHAPTER 3

The Personal Highlight Reel

Seeing Is Believing

CHAPTER 4

The Identity Statement

Influencing Self-Image

Another Centering Breath and Away We Go

PHASE 2 : Goal Setting for Greatness

CHAPTER 6

Effective Goal Setting

Creating and Achieving the Dream

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 7

Personal Rewards Program

Enhancing Motivation

CHAPTER 8

Tapping the Power of Goals

Train Hard Enough to Make Competition Easy

PHASE 3 : Relentless Solution Focus

CHAPTER 9

Always Have a Solution on the Board

CHAPTER 10

The Solution-Focused Tool

CHAPTER 11

Mental Toughness

Knowing What and How to Think

APPENDIX A

Mental Training Through the Year

APPENDIX B

Work Sheets

Notes

Glossary

Index

Foreword

Jeff Wilkins

When there are two seconds left on the game clock and the difference between winning and losing rests on your ability to kick a football through two uprights that seem to be much farther in the distance than the stats would indicate afterward, it truly takes mental toughness to perform at your best. 10-Minute Toughness is the mental training plan I used to mentally prepare myself for the pressures of playing in the NFL.

I believe that every athlete deserves to learn how to use 10-Minute Toughness. It is easy to understand and actually enjoyable to complete. It helped me focus on exactly what I needed to do mentally to be able to consistently perform under pressure. 10-Minute Toughness helped me keep a high level of confidence and simplify what I needed to stay focused on to kick at my best. It helped me in good times, and it was also a great resource in helping me through tough spots.

When I would line up for a game-winning field goal (or any kick, for that matter), instead of focusing on how important the kick was for my personal and professional goals and my teammates, coaches, and friends (not to mention the collective will of an entire city), I was able to quiet the crowd and opposing team and enter the mindset that allowed me to kick at my best. I was in control of my thoughts, which helped me to have a very successful NFL career.

I contacted Jason Selk about his mental training program because I wanted to learn how my mind could help me play at the highest level possible. I didn't want someone trying to help me with personal issues. Not to say that my life is perfect, but I am a happy, healthy person; have a great family; and have been blessed in many ways. Jason was great in that he really listened to what my goals were and specifically tailored what he did to give me exactly what I wanted.

I can remember on one occasion when the Rams were down by ten points to the Houston Texans with twenty-six seconds left on the game clock. Ryan Fitzpatrick, our third-string quarterback, led the team to a late touchdown to bring us within three points. As I prepared for the onside kick, I remember feeling calm, confident, and focused on exactly what I needed to do. We recovered the kick and the offense miraculously got us in position to tie the game. I would need to make a forty-seven-yard field goal to put us into overtime.

With four seconds left on the Reliant Stadium game clock and my team losing 27-24, I took my steps back, looked up and centered the target, took my steps over and got set, told myself to drive through the ball while my intensity and aggressiveness built, gave the OK to the holder, and the ball was snapped. From forty-seven yards away, I hit it hard and drove the ball right down the middle to send our team into overtime, where we would eventually go on to beat the Houston Texans 33-27 in a thrilling victory.

At the moment right before the ball is snappedwhen the stadium is rocking with sixty thousand fans pelting me with every curse and hex they can muster, the opposing coach trying to freeze me, the opposing defense ready to flatten me, and the game on the lineit all comes together: the physical and mental training. That's the moment when mental toughness blocks out the noise and focuses my concentration on doing my job to my greatest potential.