Rob Bell's Blog, page 24
May 26, 2016
The crazy bold Mental Toughness to stop in a race.
The crazy bold Mental Toughness to stop in a race.
At mile 32 of 56 on the bike portion of my 1/2 Ironman, I was beginning a climb on a very small hill.
The reason I only signed up two weeks ago to complete his race is because of biking (and a lack of training). I haven’t biked in about 10 years. I even had to borrow a friends Trek for the race.
The bike I was borrowing had GatorSkin tires, which are the ultimate in protection. I need not worry about a flat tire. Good thing because my bicycle maintenance was certainly not up to snuff either.
At the top of the hill, BAM! My back tire went flat.
Boy Scouts were turning over in their graves for my lack of preparation. I had none of the necessary materials needed to change the tire. No bike tube, cartridges, levers, or fix a flat, nothing! I was utterly helpless.
I assessed the damage, cursed, and tried to figure out a plan. A house was nearby which I ran to borrow their phone and call the race team, director, somebody. I was not in a good spot.
All the while, bikers are cresting the hill and passing me. Helpless….
Then a biker actually stopped!!! He handed me his tube, levers, and cartridge to fix the flat. He then asked if I knew how to change it and in my most honest voice, said “no sir!”
The saint who stopped to help change the tire was named Glenn Maenhout. It took crazy bold mental toughness to stop his entire race to help out a stranger. WOW! I thanked him so many times and watched as he fixed the tire. When he finished, I told him I would find him again. It felt like a Disney movie scene where he’s riding off and I’m yelling, “I’ll never forget you.”
We often can’t know when our Hinge moment will be. The person who is going to make such a difference in our lives. If not for Glenn, I would not have finished in time. The entire ordeal took about 20 minutes, and the clock doesn’t stop.
As I proceeded to tell other coaches and friends about Glenn a strange thing occurred. Because they were all shocked that someone would do that, it made more of an impact what a generous, kind, and selfless act that he performed.
I then asked myself “Rob, would you have stopped?” When it comes to race mode, I cheer, thumbs up, and support other competitors along the way, but I’m still focused on running my race….
It is these moments that I am in awe of the servant leadership that people can perform when place in situations to do so. I hope I can answer “yes” and have the mental toughness to stop to help!
I did stop here at the finish…
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
May 17, 2016
{Infographic} 11 tested ways to get out of your comfort zone
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
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April 16, 2016
My Top 5 Mental Toughness Books from 2016
The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage
I never watched Shark Tank, but I do know FUBU-For Us By Us. I’ve also been broke. This book by Daymond John is a fast read, but more importantly is chocked full of stories and insight from the best entrepreneurs on how: Empty pockets, A tight budget, and a hunger for success is actually a competitive advantage.
The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the Pacific
The Bridge over the River Kwai was a movie I watched with my dad. This book is exactly like that, except it’s not hollywood; it’s the “real” thing. All I can say is that after reading this book, I realized that I can’t basically complain about anything. I simply take too many things for granted. #perspective.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Dont
This is the 2nd Simon Sinek book I’ve read and this book is better than Start with Why. I always thought that the main chemicals in our brains for success were just endorphin & dopamine, right?! The feeling from a job well done and the feeling from exercise. These are selfish chemicals though, Serotonin & Oxytocin are the leadership chemicals in our brains. The specific actions that we take release or don’t release the essential chemical we are really seeking. This is just one of the fascinating nuggets from the book.
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception
My kids are still young, but I’m now prepared for when they become teenagers. Coaches & Parents- You need to read this book! I actually preferred the audio book on this one and I think you’ll hear why.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Jocko Willink has a podcast that is just straight up nasty. There are so many HUGE learning lessons from the podcast as well as the book. Since not many can actual relate to Navy Seal’s, this book breaks it down so that no matter your profession, cause, or passion, you’ll benefit from reading it. It boils down to one thing- there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. Discipline = Freedom.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
My Top Mental Toughness Books from 2016
The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage I never watched Shark Tank, but I do know FUBU-For Us By Us. I’ve also been broke. This book by Daymond John is a fast read, but more importantly is chocked full of stories and insight from the best entrepreneurs on how: Empty pockets, A tight budget, and a hunger for success is actually a competitive advantage.
The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the PacificThe Bridge over the River Kwai was a movie I watched with my dad. This book is exactly like that, except it’s not hollywood; it’s the “real” thing. All I can say is that after reading this book, I realized that I can’t basically complain about anything. I simply take too many things for granted. #perspective.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Dont This is the 2nd Simon Sinek book I’ve read and this book is better than Start with Why. I always thought that the main chemicals in our brains for success were just endorphin & dopamine, right?! The feeling from a job well done and the feeling from exercise. These are selfish chemicals though, Serotonin & Oxytocin are the leadership chemicals in our brains. The specific actions that we take release or don’t release the essential chemical we are really seeking. This is just one of the fascinating nuggets from the book.
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception My kids are still young, but I’m now prepared for when they become teenagers. Coaches & Parents- You need to read this book! I actually preferred the audio book on this one and I think you’ll hear why.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win Jocko Willink has a podcast that is just straight up nasty. There are so many HUGE learning lessons from the podcast as well as the book. Since not many can actual relate to Navy Seal’s, this book breaks it down so that no matter your profession, cause, or passion, you’ll benefit from reading it. It boils down to one thing- there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. Discipline = Freedom.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
April 15, 2016
{Infographic} 5 step Pformula for greatness
Thanks to Coach Martin Rooney and Training for Warriors for the Pformula for greatness!
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Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
April 12, 2016
{Infographic} The Cycle of Champions
April 10, 2016
How Jordan Spieth Choked
I hate the word Choke, but the reality is this, EVERYONE HAS CHOKED. Wait, not everyone, just those who have been successful. Jordan Spieth has won 2 majors and had yet to trail in The Masters in two years. You have to be in it to win it – No one in 35th place has ever choked.
So here’s how it happened~
Choking- Suboptimal performance given one’s skill level where incentives for optimal performance are at a maximum (Beilock & Carr, 2001).
This isn’t bad play or a slump but more of an event that takes place under high-pressure situations. Again, you have to be in it to win it.
There are a lot of theories about the anatomy of a choke. But this theory holds true time and time again.
Catastrophe Theory- All performers have an optimal range of arousal under pressure circumstances. Pressure is a privilege. When arousal gets too high, it turns into anxiety and then there can be an extreme drop-off in performance or a “catastrophe” (Hardy, 1990).
The catastrophe is caused by one error or mistake which leads to another and another, a complete drop-off, or meltdown.
http://lukesportspsychology.blogspot.com/2015/05/arousal.html
The catastrophe is what happened to Jordan Spieth.
Jordan Spieth, the defending Masters champion, made the turn at -7 at clicking on all cylinders making four straight birdies. He had a five (5) shot lead, Complete control!
Spieth bogeyed 10 as he entered Amen corner, and missed his par putt on 11. And then it happened; Catastrophe on 12.
http://drrobbell.com/wp-content/uploads/spieth-tee-shot-12.mp4
There were tons of players this tournament that found the water on 12. However, the miss was BAD. The precision that it takes to execute under pressure at Amen corner is enough, but it also takes working memory, (the strategizing and decision making in real time). The working memory by Jordan Spieth on the Tee Box was completely occupied.
Not convinced? What followed after the tee shot in the water was unfortunately worse! It was a bad decision that Jordan later admitted “not to use the drop zone”, but instead he dropped it in an awkward spot near 13. What followed was another ball in the water. The drop on 12. Quadruple bogey.
All of us watching were in complete disbelief. The feeling that hit Jordan Spieth at that moment was more than likely complete numbness. A fifteen minute span of what just happened?
(Read: What happens after the Big Loss)
He did show incredible mental toughness by bouncing back with birdies at 13 & 15 to finish second. However, the damage had already occurred. More so, only at The Masters does the defending champ (Spieth) have to put the green jacket on the winner. Can’t imagine Cam Newton handing Peyton Manning the Lombardi trophy at the Super Bowl.
Read: 3 ways to prevent the big meltdown.
Choking is an event, not a person! Spieth does have proof that he can win majors because he has done it before. He indeed will recover from this event. But, no matter what the media pundits think or spout off, the only person that counts is the Man in the Arena.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
April 8, 2016
{Infographic} 10 Everyday Ways to Build Mental Toughness
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Please include attribution to drrobbell.com with this graphic.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
April 3, 2016
{Infographic} 5 Ways Parents Can Build Mental Toughness
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
April 1, 2016
5 Ways to Ask For HELP!
As Good As its Gets
Tri-Star Pictures
When I first heard the Beatles song, HELP in high school I loved it, but actually thought it made little sense.
When I was younger (So much younger than) so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way!
But as with life, songs that were just cool, Glory Days, & The Summer of 69′, actually began to change and deepen their meaning over time.
I always enjoyed listening to a coach’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech, as they thanked their partner! It made sense, rightly so, but like the songs, I couldn’t really get it until later in life! No one gets there alone, and especially without a loving, supportive partner! A coach’s husband or wives are the one’s who make the biggest sacrifice!! My wife is the best! I needed her help.
My life used to be predicated on the erroneous belief, that if it needs to be done, “Rob, you better do it.” That’s the wrong song to play in my head. The issue was that in many ways it was effective. Running a marathon, publishing 4 books, starting a business, working with elite athletes, caddying on tour, was on my own strength, right? ha, wrong! It’s only after things go bad, do we understand how much that we need others!
Mental Toughness is not doing it all by yourself, it’s actually being able to ask for help! People want to help, but ironically no one wants to ask for help! It is best to know what type of help that we want and are we willing to take it?
Here’s five ways to ask for help!
Can you watch this?
These are a coach’s favorite words to hear! A coach is someone who helps you get somewhere that you want to go. They want to help, so be prepared to be willing to receive the feedback they offer.
I’d really like your opinion on something…
I have found that most people don’t expect you to solve their issue for them, but to just listen! However, too often we feel the need to sweep in and try and fix it. If we do this, then they may not turn to us later, or worse, expect us to always fix “it.” Either option actually build’s dependency, not capacity.
Have you ever struggled with?
Just be honest! Lay it out there and you’ll see how many people will connect with you. A true friend or coach is someone who can tell you, “Hey, I get it, it’s okay.”
How do you?
My friend Matt Tully is a good golfer, but every time we play, he starts asking me questions about swings, mechanics, strategy, tour players, etc. Then he proceeds to shoot 74 and beats me. This isn’t a game by him, (he actually is the best guy ever) so I concluded that he really wants as much information as possible just so he can get better.
I look forward to hanging out with you…
The things that people miss most are just hanging out with one another. That’s why so many relationships are built on the golf course. Peyton Manning said it during his retirement, the thing he will miss most is the time in the locker room, just hanging out with one another. So, be sure to tell whomever your going to hang out with that you look forward to talking.
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. His company DRB & associates is based in Indianapolis. Some clients have included: University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens. Check out the most recent book on Mental Toughness- Don’t Should on Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness
