Boost-Mode Newsletter | February 7, 2025

📖 What I Am Reading: Inner Excellence, specifically Chapter 9

Which starts with a powerful quote from former Major League manager Lou Piniella:

"He’s not going to make it. He’s not comfortable being uncomfortable."

The chapter, titled Unstoppable: How to Overcome Mental Blocks, Fears, and Phobias, explores how our subconscious can work against us. The book describes the subconscious mind’s three main roles:

1️⃣ Filtering Information: It sifts through all incoming sensory input to determine what’s relevant and potentially dangerous. 2️⃣ Running Your Life Automatically: It manages routine tasks like tying shoes or driving so you don’t have to think about every little detail. 3️⃣ Aligning Your Life with Your Beliefs: Your subconscious ensures that your results match your self-perception.

The book explains how mental blocks, fears, and phobias develop: ✔️ An emotionally painful or embarrassing event occurs. ✔️ The subconscious locks onto the event as a protective measure. ✔️ It adds this event to a list of things to warn you about in the future. ✔️ The memory is embedded deeply based on the emotional pain it caused. ✔️ When a similar context appears, the subconscious replays the event as a warning. ✔️ This creates a mental block or phobia.

🛠️ How to Overcome Mental Blocks: 🔹 Detach the emotion from the event. 🔹 Identify the smallest change that could have altered the outcome. 🔹 Introduce a positive, high-energy feeling into the context. 🔹 Anchor that feeling to the original painful experience to create a new empowering belief.

🎥 What I Am Watching: I went back and watched Rick Ankiel’s infamous loss of control in the 2000 NLDS

his battle with the yips. ⚾ In 2000, Ankiel threw five wild pitches in one inning against the Braves. The Cardinals pitcher struggled with command, leading to his transition from pitching to playing in the outfield by 2005. Comparisons were made to Steve Blass, who also experienced sudden throwing issues, but the Cardinals initially focused on fixing Ankiel’s mechanics rather than addressing the mental side of his struggles. 

💡 What I Am Learning: Perfectionism and mental toughness don’t mix.

If your goal is to be perfect, mental toughness will elude you. But if your goal is to give your best effort and remain present in the moment, then something beautiful happens. Mental toughness is about letting go of ego and focusing on the process rather than the result. 🏆

✍️ What I Am Writing: With spring rapidly approaching, I’m scripting out game scenarios for the team to work on before our domestic league begins. We will likely schedule matchups against stronger teams from the first German league to face adversity early and prepare for the challenges ahead. ⚾🔥

💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from this week’s insights? Hit reply and let me know!

Until next time, stay focused and keep growing! 💪🚀