Dreams

What these dancers lacked was the mental edge over these competitors. This mental edge simply creates opportunities which may not otherwise be there for you in that contest on that particular day. This mental edge often includes many different factors, one of which I will mention one today. This is a subject has won many competitions for dancers who simply weren’t as good as their competitors, but they managed to score a psychological win. The subject is body language.

Every single moment you are at the pool as a swimmer, by the ring as a boxer, or by the dance floor as a dancer, as a musician before an aduition, without even knowing it, you are unconsciously showing your competitors your level of self-confidence. For example as a boxer, simple aspects in your body language often gives away valuable information to other competitors, and so it is essential to only send out signals which say "I feel great, I'm relaxed, and I’m ready to go!". Your body language plainly shows your competitors whether you are feeling confident, relaxed and self-assured, or whether you are lacking in confidence and feeling nervous about the fight to come. This applies to all kinds of things really wether it is before a competition, audition, or even in school. If you want to be the best, you got to show others that you already is the best.

When you demonstrate confidence to your competitors (whether you actually feel that way or not) it can affect them in two ways. Firstly it often makes them wonder where you got that sort of confidence from, which often triggers negative thoughts in their mind before the meet. Secondly, it often forces them to examine themselves and question their own confidence, asking themselves such questions as "Am I as confident as they are?" As soon as they begin thinking these thoughts, they have handed you the mental edge! This means that they will assume that you have the edge on them, and their mind will programme their body accordingly for that race. Trust me, I am of experience.

This is a fabulous effect on your competitors when you have not even said a word to them! The funny part about this is that you may not actually be feeling confident at all, all you’ve done is just make them think that you feel confident! And the added payback is that when you begin to act confident, you very soon begin to feel that way anyway.

So what unconscious signals do you give out to other competitors? Are you exuding confidence and relaxation, or stress and nerves? Here are some things to watch for in your body language when you are at a meet; firstly, always keep your head up, never allow your head to drop towards the ground, as this always gives the appearance of a person who doesn’t feel confident enough to make eye contact.

Secondly, smile and laugh a lot, rather than having a tense look for the world to see. Remember, winners are grinners! This very often unsettles competitors, when they see how relaxed you appear! Additionally, smiling has also been scientifically shown to relax the body through a variety of relaxing chemicals it releases into your system.
Yet another aspect is to walk around confidently, as if you are already the champion, not as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. If you do feel nervous, don’t let anyone detect it from your behaviour, act relaxed and in control at all times, as this will not only fool your competitors, but quite often improve your own emotional state as well. If you want to feel relaxed, begin acting relaxed, and miraculously you may begin to experience feelings of tranquility beginning to wash over you.

Most importantly, never, ever show feelings of negativity, nervousness or any other ‘vulnerability’ to your competitors, until you are away from their view. Act positively no matter what, as if you don't have a worry in the world, and eventually word will get around that absolutely nothing ever seems to bother you!

So be aware of the subconscious signals your body language is giving out to other competitors, they can be either a huge psychological weapon or a major disadvantage, the choice is yours. It has often been said, to become a champion, firstly begin acting like one. This saying may be even truer than it sounds. Many champions copied the mannerisms and behaviour of their idols when they were young, and this may well have been their key to their success. Think of a person/rolemodel/champion you admire, and begin copying their most impressive habits. You may be surprised at the results.

Remember: Mental edge creates opportunities which may not otherwise be there for you

per ardua ad astra ~ David