Game Day Rituals to Boost Success!
Did you know that this is one of my absolute favourite times of year. The weather is heating up, the birds are chirping, flowers are blossoming, real estate listings are becoming more plentiful, and we get to sit back and enjoy a few frothies as we watch the footy finals. As an avid Hawthorn fan, I have been left a little disappointed this season, but the competition must go on and there is great footy yet to come as we race towards the big dance. I must admit, one thing that has always intrigued me about AFL players and about elite athletes for that matter is their commitment to their game day rituals which appear to have such an abundant impact on their mental state, positioning them for success. I assume you would have heard how the old left sock and boot on first? This is a pretty stock, standard ritual for countless footy players before a game, while others have more elaborate or unique preparation routines – most seem to have some kind of superstitious process as they prepare to compete.
Tigers great, Jack Riewoldt has said his game day ritual requires him to be last out of the locker rooms and last to step onto the ground, suggesting this is the only way he can mentally get in the zone. Tom Lynch, Adelaide Crows star admits he must have the same risotto (made by his mate) and a Crunch chocolate the night before a game, then his brekky on game day is always from the same place where he orders poached eggs. At away games, he searches the ground for an AFL record and must complete the spot the difference puzzle on the back, no matter how long it takes him. Jared Polec from Port Adelaide is a stickler for a bowl of gnocchi the night before a game from the same restaurant every time, even for away games the club orders in gnocchi at the hotel just for him. It is a ritual that Jared has kept since making the move from Brisbane to Power in 2014.
What we can see from these game day rituals is that the most elite sportsmen who are at the top of their game rely on consistency to get into the mind frame that best serves them for success. It might some trivial action or a favourite meal, but what it means is that the consistency supports the athlete in preparation and gives them a feeling of confidence as they head into battle. The same ethos could be applied to auction day or even open homes. By starting ‘game day’ with a ritual that enhances your feeling of being prepared, being inspired and being ready for success it improves your chances of ‘winning the day’.
Personally, my auction day ritual starts with 5km ParkRun followed by good, strong coffee. Since my first auction location varies week to week, my choice of café varies, but the process is the same. Order coffee, enjoy coffee, review my auctions for the day and prepare myself mentally for different scenarios and outcomes and get myself in the zone. I then like to listen to my ‘Auction Day’ Spotify playlist music in the car on the way to my first auction, providing myself some high energy tunes before launching into action. It is this simple yet consistent approach that eases my mind and makes me feel most equipped for success on the most important day of the week for myself, my clients and buyers and sellers alike.
As an agent there are certainly countless variables involved with game day yet so many elements are completely within your control, but without preparation and focus things can quickly go pear shaped. It is good to try a consistent approach that ensures you have covered all bases and that you are ready to take on whatever the day throws at you. If you don’t already have a ritual, we suggest creating a process that you stick to week in week out and see what it does for your mental clarity and performance. You might just find you have more in common with elite athletes as you too venture out on the to field each week and are counting on your skills and mindset to deliver match winning outcomes in the auction arena.
I would love to hear from you what your game day rituals are and how you came to committing to your process and ultimately if you have seen benefits from your game day ritual…
