Mind Wandering
How often do you find yourself in the midst of an activity, no matter what it is, only to find your mind wandering away from the present moment? For example, perhaps you’re on the mound pitching but your mind is thinking about something else. Maybe you are with your wife, or girlfriend watching a movie, but you is thinking about baseball. Our minds do wander from time to time, it happens to us all; it’s normal.
But mind wandering robs you from fully enjoying moments with others. It robs you of the focus and concentration needed to perform at your highest level.
Here are three steps to control your mind when it starts to wander.
- Coach yourself back to present moment focus by asking yourself, “Where am I?” …answer the question. “What am I doing”? Then answer the question. For example, where am I? On the mound. What am I doing? Pitching. Then be there. Where am I? I am with my girlfriend or wife. What am I doing? Watching a movie. Then be there.
- Take a deep breath…There’s nothing better to get you into the moment. A long slow deep breath in and a long slow exhale.
- Practice- Be mindful. Pay more attention to what you are doing. For example:
- When you wash your hands take a moment to savor the feel the water and soap rinse over your hands.
- When you walk up stairs try to feel your foot as it lands on the step and then how your foot supports your body as it continues to move.
- When you are eating your food, slow down and try to really enjoy it.