Mind-altering lightbulb moments are rare in cycling, but when they come, they can change forever how we think about our habits and beliefs. Six-time Olympic champion Chris Hoy provided one of my all-time favourites when he talked about overcoming his debilitating nerves by learning to translate them from threat signals into a wellspring of excitement. In summing up this shift, he said: “I’m no longer anxious – I am adrenalised!”
That such changes are possible proves that there is no universal ‘winning mindset’ to be emulated or adopted wholesale. To be successful, we do not need to cut and paste a formula that tells us exactly how to be. Instead, we must pick and choose the techniques, tools and approaches that complement our character, temperament and routine – finding our own ‘lightbulb moments’ along the way.
Here are 10 to try for size – who knows, the right one might just flick the switch to take your riding to the next level.
1 Prioritise the process
As a sports psychologist, the hardest and most counter-intuitive message I give to athletes is that sometimes it is best not to try to win.
