Picture this. It's time for practice, something you've been doing for months now. It's like every other time, you stretch and do your warm-up routines. Then, it's time for the fun stuff, tumbling! Except, you can't move. For some reason, your mind is telling you not to go. You fell last practice and it was really no biggie, or at least you didn't think so when it happened.
Well, your mind took over. It's deciding, FIGHT or FLIGHT and it's choosing FLIGHT! I've been there before, and it's NO fun. I wish I knew this simple phrase when I was going through my mental block. It would have save me a lot of heartache!
Mel Robbins 5 Second Rule is so simple anyone can apply this. Basically, in order to trick your brain into jumping into action, don't let it think! Don't give yourself the opportunity to think of all the reasons why you don't want to complete that certain task. Once you do, you're done!
This rule can be applied to ANYTHING you don't want to do. Your mind is always in Fight or Flight mode. So in the world of cheer, mental blocks are some serious shiz. If you have mental block, and simply "Can't" do that skill.. your mind is most definitely leaning towards FLIGHT.
"Get the hell outta here, there's no way in hell I'm throwing that full" it says.
So my advice. The next time you're afraid for whatever reason to go to throw that skill; count out loud, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... & GO! Don't give your mind time to think. It's most important task is to keep you 'safe'. You know you've done it before, and you know you have the skills to do it again. Even IF you fall, that's really not the point. Give yourself some MAJOR props to actually throwing your pass. I can't tell you how many times I've fell during tumbling, and I'm here to tell you it's so worth it! So do it!
What is one thing that you know you should do? Some task, or skill that will better your life? Drop a comment below, let me know how it goes!
To read more on Mel Robbins you can check out her book here: