CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

So we are once again ONE STEP CLOSER to the stage! It's absolutely insane how fast time flies. I seriously feel like it was JUST Christmas and now it's pretty much March and the days until we step on stage are getting SOOO close! I'm in the midst of all my planning for the show... I just booked my hair appointments, scheduled tanning appointments with John and Roxana and scheduled make up with Jen Turnbull! Plus I had Holly alter my hot pink suit, so now it looks EVEN better for the show! Overall, I'm very excited and I love planning all of the little minor details. Make sure that you are carefully planning all of these details and try to get as much planned and done NOW as possible. The last couple weeks of training and prep will be crazy and the last thing that you'll need to worry about is how you're doing your hair etc. SO get planning...deliberate and careful planning brings results!

My lifting has been great for the most part. I had a slightly 'weaker' day on Wednesday...It was one of those workouts where I was just not feeling the weights...It was frustrating...especially since I KNOW that I can do it, but my mind tends to get tricky on me sometimes. It's easy to let your mind tell you what you can and cannot do and it's important that you realize that you can physically do A LOT more than you think you can! Physically lifting weights is the easy part, but mentally getting into the game is tough. That's why I think it is so crucial to "train the mind" just as much as you train your body! I know I've mentioned this before, but MIND GYM By Gary Mack is an AWESOME book! I read it while I was prepping for the Ironman and I absolutely love that book! I refer back to it constantly and it has helped me realize the importance of mental training.

One of my friends has a quote listed on his page...

**Everything you do, every single decision you make, either takes you one step closer or one step further from your goal. You either grow or you regress; nothing stands still**

It's so important to REALLY understand this when prepping for a show. Bodybuilding is a 24hr/7days/week kind of sport. You have to literally make decisions through out your entire day that will affect your progress as a competitor. Everything from sleep, water, supplements, food, training, cardio...EVERYTHING can greatly influence your progress and I think it is crucial to approach every single minute of your day with your goal in mind. Each choice you make is going to either move you ahead or move you backwards...Which way do you want to go?

Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Let the Lord's Light SHINE!

Diane

Tags: Goals | Mindset | Mind Gym | Gary Mack | onstageimage@yahoo.com | vision | Visualization

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According to Gary Mack, author of Mind Gym, there are 10 gremlins that prevent athletes from performing at their best.

I think it's crucial to go through his list and find which one may be preventing you from doing your best...

From Mind Gym, here is Gary Mack's list of gremlins:

FEAR: In reality, most dangers are not threatening to life or limb. They are physchological threats to self-esteem and ego.

Get over it. If it's not going to kill you, just do it.

ANGER: We have to learn to control our emotions or they will control us.

It's easy to get emotionally caught up in show prep or sports - Pull yourself out of your prep emotionally and just get it done.

ANXIETY: A sense that something bad is going to happen.  This only leads to trouble.

What you think about is what you get...Think positive thoughts - You'll get positive experiences.

SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS: Some athletes are afraid of looking bad or embarrassing themselves. They focus on the image of how they look instead of the task at hand. "You can't peform well if you're afraid of embarrassing yourself"

PERFECTIONISM (My personal weakness): Self-critical, negative perfectionists can never do enough. They are fueled by fear of failure.

Be Fueled By Goals and Success - Not Fear

STUBBORNESS: Some athletes are stubborn, unwilling to learn. They aren’t open to change. They aren't going to take the risks that will help them reach their next level.

Especially with prep, be willing to learn and be open to change.  You never know what will work best for your prep until you try it.

LACK OF MOTIVATION: Some athletes simply lack the drive to become the best they can. You can’t buy motivation.

“Others can help motivate you, but it basically comes from you, and it must be a constant desire to do your very best at all times and under any circumstances” – Joe DiMaggio

COMPETITIVENESS: We are all competitive. We all want to grow and succeed. Many lose their competitiveness though. Many athletes have plenty of natural talent, but they thought they could get by on talent alone but later admit that they couldn’t.

DISTRACTIONS: Some athletes lead conflicting lifestyles. They aren’t willing to discipline themselves. Stay Focused.

PERSISTENCE: Remaining optimistic during difficult times isn’t easy. But the most successful people are those who look at setbacks as opportunities for comebacks. They are persistent. They refuse to lose.

You will succeed, IF you keep trying.

OVERALL: It’s important to look at yourself and identify your gremlins. In sports, as in life, the first step to success is getting out of your own way.

Attack your gremlin.  You will never achieve your full potential if you can't overcome your weakness.

Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Let the Lord's Light SHINE!

Diane

Tags: Mind Gym | Gary Mack | Weakness | persistence

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