Mind Gym
With the quarter wrapping up soon, I've been busy studying for finals and finishing up group projects, so I apologize for the lack of posts! Though, in the midst of my studying, I thought I'd take a break and give y'all a little motivation to make it through dead/finals week. It’s important now more than ever, to keep a positive mindset and not let the high stress environment affect you.
Back in high school, I read a book called Mind Gym - An Athletes Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack and it was life-changing (I don't want to sound melodramatic, but it's true!) While the book revolved around athletes, the lessons learned can be applied to your everyday life and it has helped me look at every situation in a more positive light. Here are some of my takeaways and favorite quotes for Mind Gym that will hopefully inspire you to look at life from a more optimistic lens.
"When you have fun, it changes all the pressure into pleasure" -Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr.
We need to remember that college isn't about the numbers on our transcript, but is about learning and exploring our curiosities. Instead of stressing over grades or the pressure from your peers, focus on yourself. Be proud of everything you've learned this past quarter and look at finals as a way to showcase all the knowledge you've gained. All of this is about perspective. You can control how you want to channel high-pressure situations, so turn that stress into excitement!
"Every time your back is against the wall, there is only one person that can help you. And that's you. It comes from inside" -Pat Riley &
"The greatest victory is the victory over ourselves. Remember, it's always too soon to quit." -Gary Mack
Ultimately, you're the one that controls your life and you decide what you want to make of it. When you're frustrated, tired, or stressed, remember that it's just a challenge you need to overcome. You are strong, so just keep studying, practicing, or whatever it is because those feelings will go away. Continue to push yourself because those stressful times are only temporary and the outcome and satisfaction that will come out of those hard times will be worth it! Just remember, don't give up on yourself because if you're feeling emotional, you've invested too much effort into it to quit now.
"What you think affects how you feel and perform. Training your brain is as important as training your body" -Gary Mack
Being positive is a choice. It's not always easy, but it's up to you to make that change. It all starts with recognizing when you're having negative thoughts. When you catch yourself being self-deprecating or thinking negatively about others, just stop. Take a breath, push out those negative thoughts, and move on. Better yet, try to see the positive in the situation. Learn from every moment and think about all the things you've accomplished that have led you to this point. Remember to not compare yourself to others and walk away from those who have a negative influence in your life. While there will always be ups and downs, by having a growth mindset and being more optimistic, you will perform better in all facets of your life.
Mind Gym has really helped me become mentally stronger and live a happier life. It's a quick read and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a little reminder that everything's about perspective. Let me know if you want more book reviews and good luck with finals everyone, you got this!
xo Kerstin