Are you ready to H.A.L.T.?

Hey Team-

Just finished my morning training session with one of my collegiate baseball players...Always a lot of fun...

Today, we were talking about performance anxiety and how to deal with the chronic stress that can occur from anticipation of negative outcomes...

Crazy right? Getting nuts over outcomes that may never happen??

Scary.

Thinking about failing before you even begin playing? or before showing up to that meeting? 

But it is very real.

I went on to tell him (my player) how many people are dealing with performance related stress today because they are "plugged in" too long each day...

Many have abandoned fun, freedom, and play for working, grinding, and putting themselves to the grindstone for years at a time without a break...

I admitted to being a victim of this... traveling for years with the Yankees, building my businesses, and servicing/ consulting with high end, high expectation clients...

Your body and mind go into chronic flight/ fight mode.. and eventually you burn out.... 

Once the burn-out starts, you are then in a loop of questioning... 

Do I even love what I do?

Am I doing what I should be doing?

Am I healthy?

Why am I doing any of this?

Is there a book I can read, therapist I can see, coach I can hire to get me through?

But ironically enough, as on my way home from working with this client this AM, I heard a great acronym for overcoming stress... at least a great starting point.

H- Hungry, Am I Hungry? If so... eat high nutrient foods.. and you will feel better.

A-Angry, Am I Angry? If so, Why? Take a few 404 Tempo Breaths to Slow Down

L-Lonely, Am I Lonely? If so, Why? Am I disconnected from those around me? 

T-Tired, Ami I Tired? If so, Why? Did I sleep enough last night? last week?

Simple.. HALT.. this is the baseline of the human condition... and performance optimization... if these are out of balance and not in check.. you will feel like Holy Hell...

This is why I always preach about routine and consistency... that is what the best do...

Routine, if a good one, allows all your bases to be covered...

All high performers use routines..

When done long enough, routines take almost no thought.. and when you fall off the routine... you feel it!

So, take some time and do a personal inspection on how you are feeling... when you feel great, when you feel bad, and keep track.. 

Tracking provides data points of consistency or concern...

And if you are feeling terrible... 

Remember to H.A.L.T.

#trainlikeapro

COACH DANA CAVALEA