When I was a waterpolo player, one time I got a very good lesson from my manager during a game. I was getting my ass handed to me on the field. In retrospect it was mainly because I was allowing myself to be agitated by what the other team was doing, either through their words or actions under the water, which is all part of the game. Well, my manager (it wasn’t my coach, he was rightfully more concerned with the game) told me exactly what it was I was doing; letting them get to me, and I was getting angry because of it. My manager realised this and said, turn that anger into energy to expel on the field, then see what happens. It took a little mental shift, but you know, it worked.

The other team are just playing by the rules. They are doing whatever they can to get into your head, to disrupt your rhythm and get the advantage, all in the aim of winning. They know that you have either superior or equal physical abilities, and they know that they can get to you in your head. But the thing is, you don’t have to let them. Easier said than done, but you don’t have to listen to them. I’m a strong believer that if you have the mental fortitude, you can do anything.

I was able to turn around the results of that game. I sort of forgot about what the other team was doing, and focused on doing my job for the team. That’s all that was required really, and it got us the win.

People will try to get you down in their aims of winning, but they’re only acting out of fear of losing. If you can get past that, you’re on the home stretch.