June 22, 2021
REDLEG STATE OF MIND #3–21
Monthly newsletter of the Cincinnati Reds Mental Skills Program. What we’re pondering and promoting to optimize your mental performance.
Theme: This month begins our series covering topics related to the Paddle Wheel Performance Model (see picture at bottom of page). This edition focuses on Self-Awareness.
1. What we’re listening to: Vulfpeck. A great way to unplug and seek solitary moments is by deep listening to your favorite music. What does deep listening mean? Check out the article here. One of our favorite new bands is Vulfpeck and the song “1612.” To quote an Ike and Tina Turner song, this track is “funkier than a mosquito’s tweeter.” You may have heard of these guys after they made waves because Spotify banned their all-silent album Sleepify after it raised $20,000 in royalties — a genius marketing stunt where they asked their fans to stream their all-silent album over and over while they slept. Why didn’t we think of that!
2. What we’re watching to: ESPN’s 30 for 30 “LANCE.” This two part series directed by Marina Zenovich covers the rise and fall of one-time sports icon and American hero, cyclist Lance Armstrong. In Part 1 we learn about his rise to fame as a young athlete and how he overcame cancer to top the cycling world by winning the Tour De France. As you watch Part 2, evaluate Lance’s self-awareness as he further describes his decisions to use performance enhancing drugs and then lie about it. How is Lance’s win at all costs mentality the same or different from your favorite athlete like Kobe, LeBron, or Michael Jordan?
3. What we’re reading: Adam Grant’s Guide To Success and Self-Awareness. World renown Organizational Psychologist and one of our favorite thought leaders Dr. Adam Grant breaks down why self-awareness is so important to success in everything. This is a 5 min read and there’s a complimentary podcast.
4. Quote of the week: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” — Aristotle
5. Quiz of the week: According to the Reds Mental Skills Program, self-awareness considered which of the following:
A) A mental skill
B) A mental technique
C) A mental foundation
D) None of the above
#Trainyourbrain and #Upyourgame
- Tyler and Andy
Be sure to follow us on the following Social media platforms:
Slack: #mentalfitness (#trainyourbrain for pitchers)
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Twitter: @Redsbrain
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