The higher the level of skill and competition, the more the athletes involved mention mental factors as keys to performance. You owe it to yourself, for all of the hard work you have invested in making yourself physically talented to maximize your talent by developing the mental portion of your game. Tom Seaver, Greg Maddux, Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith and many other Hall of Famers frequently state that a dividing factor between winners and losers, especially at higher levels of talent, is the overall mental attitude of the player, made up of the ‘intangibles’; focus, effort, concentration and dedication (persistence).

Begin your mental development now and even though you may only be a rookie at it, by starting now, by time you get drafted or graduate and pursue other goals in life, you will have a head start toward success. This blurb is to get you pointed in the right direction – understanding the vital importance of the mental part of your game. Two excellent resources (among scores that are out there) that I often draw from and always agree with are: The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance (take a look at the other books listed also) and of course my all time favorite Amazon.com: Heads-up Baseball: Playing The Game One Pitch At A Time. I specifically listed the audio version, so you couldn’t whine and moan about not having enough time to read it, with all of your history and english homework, waah, waah, waah! Cutback on a few Gatorades or cappuccinos and you can easily afford it – are you really serious about being a pro?

Here are a few thoughts about goal setting to get you started – make it a way of life, whether it’s baseball or being a successful person in general;

1) Set realistic, specific performance goals – this is an exercise in thought all by itself. Avoid generalities like, “always try my hardest” and gear more toward specific, measureable goals – “I want to start six games as a freshman.” Monitor the progress and efforts towards your goals daily. Don’t be satisfied with a goal easily reached (If I’m so good, why aren’t I better?). Revise goals (upward or downward) as needed to continue providing encouragement. Your viewpoint should be – What’s right, not who. Don’t worry if you initially fall short, keep getting better and stay focused on your goals.

2) Develop process goals to help achieve performance goals above;
Lay out the action steps
- Hit the breaking pitch better
- Pitch more effective on the inside third of the plate
- Concentrate better before the ball is hit to me (the ball will find you if you don’t)

And ask yourself, what needs to be done and how will I do the action steps to accomplish the performance goals (and then do them). Review your progress and adjust your strategy/tactics accordingly.

Do not expect to be an expert at goal setting right away – that’s why you are starting at 18. If a process takes five years to learn, putting it off until you are 23 does not speed it up. You will be 23 five years from now, whether you develop your mental game or not – which would you prefer? The focus on mental self improvement, just like the superb work you have accomplished physically, brings the responsibility of performance back to the player and away from the opponent, parent, or coach. This is vital because it leads to the language and lifestyle of self improvement which leads to self control and realistic optimism and more toward performance confidence rather than performance anxiety. How you truly think determines how you play within your physical skill range (that’s why old farts like the author can think all he wants, he still ain’t hitting a Scott fastball – so do it now, while you can!). The quality of your thoughts strongly influence muscle memory. With your talented athletic muscle potential, if you favorably influence muscle memory you can become a remarkable athlete. Now, go start building your brain, like you have your forearms.