In order to methodically build mental strength and improve real-world performance it is important to break the process down into it’s elements. In face, the mental skill training process will sound familiar to anyone involved with successful teams, organizations, and businesses. As with most challenging or complex objectives it takes skill, tactics, and strategy to develop of a consistent, effective, and progressive approach.

Here is an overview:

Skills
Mental skills include abilities and methods that allow you to perform under pressure and learn from experiences. They can be improved by training and practice like many skills.

Focus
The ability to select the subject matter of mental awareness. Also, the ability to identify and concentrate on information relevant to performance.

Emotional Control
The ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions as they emerge.

Mental Energy Management
The ability to maintain the appropriate level of mental arousal or relaxation for the task at hand.

Communication
The ability to concisely share information, ideas, and resources.

Drive
Drive is an innate inner push to succeed. It can be refined, but not created.

Tactics
Tactics are good habits. Think of them as trained reflexes. They provide the ability to respond instantly and intuitively to challenges.

Tactics include:
Reset: Clear your mind of distracting thoughts and restore focus.
Focal Centering: Identify and set the ideal focal target and focal mode.
Stress Cycling: Stress is good! Recover from stress and gain strength from the experience.
Problem Solving: Methodically link causes to effects and gain insight.

Strategies
Strategies are game plans for maximizing mental performance.

Strategies include:
Curiosity: The desire to learn and the commitment to understand.
Goal Setting: Identify and set process oriented objectives.
Care and Serve: Identify what is needed and what you have to offer.
Meaning: Is what you do important to the world or only to you?
Play with Passion: Are you attracted to and easily absorbed into your role?
Professionalism: The ability to remain logical, calm, and tactical under stress.
Confidence: Are your abilities in balance with the challenge you face.
Leadership: How you do your job is often more important that what you accomplish while you are at it.

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