I know it sounds like hippie BS, but there is a reason that every underdog story has a team that never gives up and why athletes making millions take classes about this. Being positive during play makes you better, faster, and smarter. It's as simple as having a Positive Mental Attitude.
Napoleon Hill, the bestselling author of Think and Grow Rich and the OG of motivational speaking, founded the theory of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) back in the 1930’s. He asserted that positive thinking is the key factor in attaining success. Since then, countless pros have changed their mindset and unlocked their goals.
When practicing PMA your play will benefit. A calm mind reacts quicker and is less prone to panic-driven mistakes. It also creates more positive interactions with teammates and other players as well as reduces your anxiety.
Ready to get your PMA going? Embrace the mantra that attitude is everything and try this:
1) Set clear goals
It’s important to know what you’re working towards, but it’s equally imperative to be specific when setting goals otherwise you’ll have less clarity around the necessary steps to meet that goal. For example instead of saying you want to be a better gamer, try "I want to get X character to gold rank," or "I want to land my ultimate attack twice per game." This not only keeps a desired outcome in your mind, but challenges you to map out how to get there. Just keep in mind that it’s important to be realistic so you don’t set yourself up for failure.
2) Ask questions
Starting a new mental protocol is hard, let alone when you feel like you’re constantly telling yourself what to do differently: do this, don’t do that. When you’re gaming and you're kicking yourself because you screwed up, ask a question instead. Try, “What can I do here to make things different?” or “What did I learn in a similar experience?” This type of questioning encourages curiosity and shifts you into a problem-solving frame of mind so you can better tackle those challenges.
3) Believe in yourself
It goes without saying that no one will believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. While you're gaming take time to acknowledge that you're experimenting with new ways to play or testing new strategies. Keep reminding yourself of what you’re doing well; working hard, being committed and taking risks all deserve a shout out. Even when you’re not the best, reframe with comments such as “I’m getting better.” Progress, not perfection, is worth applauding.
4) Be proactive
PMA isn’t just thinking good thoughts but taking the action to match. If you want to improve your game, study the masters. Check out the top gamers on YouTube or Twitch. We like MrBlueandQueenie. Make sure you’re using the best tools within your budget and consider pairing your existing headphones with a ModMic microphone to make your communication game strong.
5) Visualize change
Create a habit of daily meditation to visualize the goals you want to meet and the outcomes you want. Before you jump into your game, take a moment to close your eyes, take deep breaths and picture yourself in the moment of meeting your goal. How do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? Envision as specific of a portrait of your success as possible and carry that image with you to call upon regularly.
Positive Mental Attitude boils down to making positive choices to expect positive results. While true change requires action to manifest, with a few changes and some fine tuning, we can change our behavior and ultimately create the life we want to lead, or at least a rosier outlook.