Athletes prepare for the contest...
Illustration
Athletes prepare for the contest ahead with a mental process called imagery. It is also known as mental rehearsal, mind-
scripting, or visualizing. It is picturing in one's mind perfectly accomplishing every step necessary to achieving victory. Olympic gold medal winner Mary Lou Retton mentally ran through each routine, every move, the night before she won, imagining everything done perfectly. Jack Nicklaus, before every shot, imagines himself hitting the ball in a way that it will end up where he wants it. The great Boston Celtics basketball player and later coach Bill Russell has written about watching plays in his head in his own private basketball laboratory, making mental blueprints for himself. And the great Chinese pianist, Liu Chi Kung, who was imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution for seven years without access to a piano, was able to go on a tour and amaze critics shortly after his release because every day he had rehearsed every piece he had ever played, note by note, in his mind. Jesus Christ gave his disciples a picture of his glory at the Transfiguration to prepare them for the difficult days ahead when he would be tried and crucified. He gave them a mental image that would sustain them to the end.
-- Guettler
scripting, or visualizing. It is picturing in one's mind perfectly accomplishing every step necessary to achieving victory. Olympic gold medal winner Mary Lou Retton mentally ran through each routine, every move, the night before she won, imagining everything done perfectly. Jack Nicklaus, before every shot, imagines himself hitting the ball in a way that it will end up where he wants it. The great Boston Celtics basketball player and later coach Bill Russell has written about watching plays in his head in his own private basketball laboratory, making mental blueprints for himself. And the great Chinese pianist, Liu Chi Kung, who was imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution for seven years without access to a piano, was able to go on a tour and amaze critics shortly after his release because every day he had rehearsed every piece he had ever played, note by note, in his mind. Jesus Christ gave his disciples a picture of his glory at the Transfiguration to prepare them for the difficult days ahead when he would be tried and crucified. He gave them a mental image that would sustain them to the end.
-- Guettler
