North Star Mental Fitness

Stretch Your Mind

"One's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions".

This wonderful quotation was made by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

The essence of mental fitness is expressed by Oliver Wendell Holmes' quotation. In order to grow our mind and have a healthy, strong minds, we need to find new ways to think or new ideas to expand our comfort zone.

Isn't it comforting and exciting to know that once we really stretch our minds with a new idea, our minds never regain its original dimension . New ideas challenge the tyranny of our past and usual way of thinking about ourselves and our lives.

New ideas can refresh and remodel our lives. We need to add new ideas into our minds so we can turn our failures into successes or turn our weaknesses into strengths.

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Thoughts!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

 

 

 

 

Wambach Never Doubted That They Would Win

"There aren't many moments in women's sports that are purely unbelievable sports moments, but Abby Wambach's perfect header off of Megan Rapinoe's perfect feed in the 122nd minute against Brazil yesterday was one of those moments. It is a play that makes your jaw drop and that you must watch repeatedly and studiously to grasp how it might have happened, and even then you can't quite believe that it still happened that way, because it was perfect." This was the picturesque description of the United States women's soccer team snatching victory from Brazil in the 2011 Woman's World Cup written by Emma Carmichael.

I was mesmerized by the unbelievable play. It was very clear to me that the win was not an accident. It was obvious that the team had confidence and unbelievable mental fitness.

Emma Carmichael presented numerous quotations from the players that demonstrated the effect of mental fitness, confidence and never giving.

"Rapinoe is praised for her aggression (for the ability to friggin' smack it, for example) but not necessarily for exemplary control. But it took an aggressive soul to retrieve a ball from the middle of the field and to have seen — just barely in her line of vision — Wambach's right arm pointing towards the right goalpost.

Any person who has played a sport and played it well knows that feeling when a play feels instantly right. In the replay angle that shows Rapinoe's delivery best, she gazes up after making contact with the ball and then, against her momentum, takes a few steps back, staring after it like she knows that it will go exactly where she intended it to go.

The "beast" in question was Wambach, who had been — for her standards — off the mark in group play, especially in her aerial game. She stands about six feet tall in spikes, and her height brings a threatening element to her game. But even with some faltering, and even in a contest that had pitched every possible setback against her squad, Wambach said later that she never doubted that they would win.

A lot of people today are attributing this to the American team's mentality, and to a certain kind of American spirit in sports. Sundhage, who is Swedish, said that she found the American attitude of "pulling everything together and bringing the best [out] of each other" to be "contagious," Solo called it "a feeling" that can't really be coached, and Wambach said that the team always felt that "all it takes is one chance."

Even Marta had previously acknowledged it. The Brazil star has been around for five consecutive losses to the Americans, and when a reporter asked her what made the difference, she pointed to her head and explained, 'It's the mentality."'

Wambach never doubted that they would win. This is the expression of confidence based upon mental and physical fitness. From a mental fitness perspective, there is a mentality that will not allow a person to give up. No matter how bad or pressing circumstances are, there is always a solution or a victory.

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

What Is Your Goal for Yourself?

So many people lack goals for themselves.  Too many people fail to set relationship goals.  I was talking to a man separated from the woman he loved.  He felt distraught over their separation and almost resigned to living in a way he did not want.

Democrats or Republicans?

It is not a matter of being a Democrat or Republican!

It is only a matter of being an American and creating our destiny!

Remember, We Live within the Government and Country Created by Our Choices!

From

Dr. Hal and the North Star Mental Fitness Program

Burn the Boats

Queme los barcos," or "Burn the Boats, because defeat is not an option".

Hernando Cortes was a conquistador and explorer who sailed to the New World in attempt to find treasure.  Many great leaders had failed before Hernando came along.  Hernando trained his soldiers during the day and built their morale at night.

When the time came for fighting and accomplishing their goal, Hernando told his men to burn their boats.  He went on to emphasize that defeat and retreat were not options.  He reassured his men and challenged them to be victorious.  Following their victory he reasoned, they would sail back in the enemy's boats.

Recently the University of Michigan's basketball team surprised many by beating Minnesota on their home floor.  This victory was necessary in order to enter the big dance at the end of the season.  Coach Beilein challenged the team by talking about burning the boats, because defeat was not an option.

This quote was mentioned in an article by CJ Lee, senior guard, in an article entitled Court Vision with C.J. Lee: Live Life without Regrets. 

From a mental fitness perspective, C.J. Lee understands what it takes to be victorious.  It takes a total commitment to your goal and the belief that failure and defeat are not options. 

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

 

Is the Stimulus package Stimulating Learned Helplessness?

President Obama acknowledged an "astounding" number of job losses in February.  In spite of the numerous signs confirming our declining economy, President Barack Obama believes his $787 billion economic recovery plan is saving jobs.  President Obama wants us to believe, "I know we did the right thing."  These quotations are from Darlene Supeville, an Associate Press Writer.  Darlene wrote an article entitled Obama on stimulus, "I know we did the right thing".

We know the intended purpose of the stimulus plan was to save jobs and resurrect our economy.  Psychologically, one would hope that the stimulus plan would empower people to become self-confident, self-determined and committed to actualize their psychological and vocational abilities.

If the stimulus plan is creating learned helplessness,

The Power of Choice Making

As we enter the year 2009, let's remember the power of choice making. No matter what choices we make in the year 2009, our choices will be extremely powerful!

I THINK, THEREFORE I AM

"Cogito ergo sum" according to Wikipedia has been the foundation of Western philosophy.  It also is the foundation of many psychological theories.  René Descartes is the philosopher, who is given credit for this statement.

"I Think, Therefore I Am" is a phrase used to establish our existence.  According to Wikipedia:

"The simple meaning of the phrase is that if someone is wondering whether or not he exists, that is in and of itself proof that he does exist".

"I Think, Therefore I Am" is misquoted as "I Doubt, I Think, Therefore I Am".  This statement is very interesting, because doubting as well as thinking determines our existence.

These quotations also apply in the field of psychology.  "I Think, Therefore I Am" not only determines our existence, it also determines our quality of life. 

• Our thinking determines our feelings.
• Our thinking and feelings determine our behavior:
• Our thinking, feelings and behavior determine how we relate.
• Our thinking, feeling, behavior and relating determines our activities.
• Our thinking, feeling, behavior, and relating and activities determine our external circumstances.
• Our thinking, feeling, behavior, relating, activities, and external circumstances determine our health.

Therefore, it is safe to conclude that are thinking will determine the quality of our life.

In psychology, it is also true that "I doubt, I think, therefore I am".  Doubts, insecurities, anxieties, fears, disappointments and depression are just some of the factors that can determine our thinking, if we let them.  All of these negative factors well powerfully determine our thoughts, feelings, behavior, relating, activities, external circumstances and health.

It is important to be conscious of what we think, because our thinking is so powerful.  Today become aware and become very clear how important your doubts or thoughts are in determining the quality of your life.

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

Yes, I Can

"Yes, I Can" is a wonderful affirmation.  This affirmation will program the mind for success in all areas of one's life.

I have been very surprised by the difficulties many clients have with making success generating affirmations. 

Mental Fitness Programming Applied to Overcome Anxiety about Surgery

The Turn Around Choice of the North Star Medal Fitness Program has been designed to reduce anxiety, panic and fear. 

In fact, this Choice can be used to reduce and manage all self-defeating behavior.  Yesterday, I taught a client how to apply the Turn Around Choice to reduce anxiety and fear about flying in an airplane.

At first he was skeptical.  Then he went through a stage of disbelief as he never thought of this approach to reduce his fear of flying.  As he began to understand how he could reduce and manage his fear of flying, he relaxed.  He felt confident.  He exclaimed that the general public should know about this procedure. 

We talked about how this procedure could be applied to solve so many problems like addictions, other fears and problems with poor impulse control. 

As we talked, I began to feel rather foolish.  I had completely forgotten to apply the choice in my own life!

You see, later this morning I will have shoulder surgery.  I had completely forgotten to master my anxiety, fears and indecision regarding the surgery with the Turn Around Choice.  I admitted my oversight to my client.

Immediately, I applied the Turn Around Choice to relax me regarding my surgery.  It worked.  Yesterday and today I have an inner calmness about the surgery.  I also know that I can use the Turn Around Choice, if my fear or panic return.

I also emphasized for my client one more fact.  Even though a person knows the secrets of mental fitness, mental fitness relief will not be experienced unless the Turn Around Choice is consciously made.

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach