What we can learn from the mindset of the late, great Muhammad Ali.

Jun 10, 2016
2 min read

With his highly publicized passing last week, we all know what an influential figure Muhammad Ali was. He is one of, if not THE greatest boxer of all time and was known outside the ring for his outspoken stance on religious and human rights.

Let's take a look at some of Ali's famous quotes and learn how his strong mental skills made him one of the greatest athletes of his time.

1. Training with a purpose.

Ali's ability to have a goal-oriented mindset was one of his strongest qualities. He began boxing at the age of 12 with the goal of beating up a bully. It wasn't long before he was setting his sights on Olympic gold and boxing world championships.

Takeaway: Set goals for yourself. Without a clear picture of what you are trying to achieve it is easy to loose focus during training. Setting both long-term and short-term goals will help you stay motivated and focused. Always 'Practice with a Purpose'.

2. Using symbolic key words.

When the pressure was high, Ali's controlled focus allowed him to perform at his very best. Ali thrived on being in the spotlight, never letting the pressure of his highly publicized fights affect his confidence.

Takeaway: 'You are what you think'. Using a key word or phase (mantra) will help you maintain your mindset regardless of external factors. Keep it simple and positive, avoid technical words which can lead to overthinking. A personally meaningful short phrase such as a song lyric or inspirational quote is ideal.

3. Pushing the mental limits.

Ali is known for his mental toughness both inside the ring and as a human rights advocate. He was a resilient fighter who was always quick to get up after a knock down (only KOed once in 61 pro fights). Outside the ring Ali showed great fortitude when he took a stance on religious rights and against the Vietnam war.

Takeaway: The more you focus on 'the pebble in your shoe', the more it will bother you. Limit negative thoughts like pain and discomfort by focusing on your goals or external distractions like music and workout partners.

Practice makes perfect.

Just like physical skills, mental skills require practice. Muhammad Ali knew this.

He referred to himself as 'the greatest' so often that it was what he became inside and out.

At ProMinded we are dedicated to helping athlete's improve their mental skills through training. We apply sports psychology techniques in a way that athletes can practice and train for success. Check out our SERVICES page or CONTACT US for more information.