Erika Carlson, CEO and Certified Mental Trainer at Mental Training Inc., discusses the importance of playing carefree and present. She describes that playing “carefree” means to not care about the outcome. The best train their mind to be present moment focused. When we overthink, we are focused on the past or future, not the present. She describes that many athletes have outcome goals but no process to achieve them.  The key to reaching your BHAG’s, Erika says, is to “focus on your process today.” Erika also discusses the importance of failure, understanding “patterns” and the emotional wheel.

• “I have not met a person that cannot improve on their self-talk.” @SportPsycher via @Mentally_Strong
• “There are always patterns pre-game, after mistakes, and post-game to help bring awareness.” @SportPsycher via @Mentally_Strong
• “The quicker you can learn from a mistake, the more valuable it is. The mistake then is a blurb not a mountain.” @ SportPsycher via @Mentally_Strong
• “A key to performance is to be calm from the neck up and relaxed from the next down.” @ SportPsycher via @Mentally_Strong
• “When you focus on what’s right, you acknowledge an additional source of confidence.” @ SportPsycher via @Mentally_Strong

To reach out to Erika, you can find her at erikacarlsonsports.com or on Twitter @SportPsycher.