Mastering your inner game

In any activity that we perform, there is an outer game and the inner game. The outer game is about any activity that we perform to overcome a challenge such as playing any game, competitions etc. The inner game is the thought process within our mind when participate in the outer game. The thought process within us could be negative self-talk like fear, insecurity, limiting beliefs etc. or positive self-talk like optimism, positive reinforcements, encouraging words etc.

Have you noticed while playing your favorite game (Tennis, Football), you encourage yourself with positive self-talk like “You can do this, Focus on the ball” etc.

The positive self-talk enables you to overcome any obstacle.

As we live in a world of constant change, it is important to have the right positive mindset. Your inner game becomes very critical and cannot be neglected.

How do you improve your inner game?

How do we develop those beliefs that are limiting is the kind of mental model that mold our thought process. It is all about those thoughts that we give attention to, and the emotions that we feel decides the actions that we take.

So, what can I do about your inner game

1. Develop awareness of your breath — This is where mindfulness practice helps. An awareness of your breath is foundational as it brings you to the present moment.
2. Develop awareness of your thoughts and feelings — Many a times we live an unconscious and superfluous life. Being aware of your thoughts and feelings requires practice and connection with ourselves. This is the state where we become a witness to our thoughts and feelings which helps to course correct when we venture into negative self-talk.
3. Develop awareness of doing vs being — This is about developing a state of flow in what we execute on. Doing is mechanical execution compared to Being which is execution in a state of flow.

As we all work on the outer game, it is important to invest in the inner game and that would provide great benefits, synergy and joy in anything we do.

One of the interesting books that I read on improving your inner game is —?The Inner Game of Tennis: The Ultimate Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W Timothy Gallwey

How are you working on your inner game?