How to train your mind like Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand

As part of a special webinar series on leadership and strategy in an era of Covid19, ET NOW organized a Masterclass with world chess champion and Grandmaster, Viswanathan Anand. 

Here are some tips and tricks from Viswanathan Anand on how you can train your mind like a champion in these challenging times.

ACCEPT THE NEW NORMAL

You have to accept something that is inevitable. There is nothing we can do except to accept things calmly. Some behavioral changes were needed. People like me are fairly lucky but there are lots of people in professions where it's not easy. 

HOW TO KEEP LEARNING

When things contradicted what you knew or thought you knew, if you forced yourself to stay quiet, you might notice and learn something. Overcome your resistance to learning, once you get past that, it is a lot of fun. Real learning comes from questions you ask because the answers are so accessible. Keep changing your questions. Be willing to learn, experiment, you have to understand what works for you and see how you can apply that on a daily basis. 

HOW TO AVOID COMPLACENCY

I faced the same struggles in not being to motivate myself. Every time when things are going well, remember things that went wrong and keep them as cues. The world doesn't stop, people catch up quickly. You can help yourself if you do something that you love. Then the curiosity comes naturally. There is always a pattern for mistakes, vital to keep improving on it. 

HOW TO KEEP A CALM MIND 

Try to stay as calm as possible, have small mental cues. When you experience a feeling, remember how that worked out for you last time. For example, getting excited prematurely affects your concentration.

BEING MR NICE GUY

You realize that people will do a lot of different things to win. It may be legal but you will not be comfortable doing it. So go with things you are comfortable doing. I wrestle with the same demons but I try to keep it to myself. 

MOTIVATING YOURSELF

How to motivate yourself keeps changing, the brain responds to different stimuli. My biggest driver now is I enjoy the game a lot and find it fascinating. I want to see how good I am against young and upcoming players. 

STRATEGY IN COVID ERA

Whether we come back in 8 months or a year we still need things we needed yesterday. What is the work that needs to be done regularly is a good way to start. A routine is also helpful. Block a few hours to get work done.

DEALING WITH ANGER & LOSS

Don't make today's loss make you lose tomorrow's game. It's very difficult to do this in rapid games- I splash cold water, take a break, go for a walk. Having a child is also a wonderful distraction, it gives you joy, it is emotionally very helpful. 

WHAT WOULD VISHY WRITE TO HIS SON

I would start by mentioning the things that he likes, does very well. I will ask him to use that in new contexts and new situations. I would also tell him to try and enjoy something more because sometimes he has the same performance anxiety. The only thing that matters is whether you enjoy it or not. We always feel we can't tell our kids that because they won't take school seriously.