Sinabi ng world bowling champion na si Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno na hindi sapat ang talento o galing para magtagumpay ang isang atleta sa napili niyang isport. Ibinahagi rin niya ang kaniyang "four mental tools" kapag sumabak sa laban.
"The very first lesson I learned when I bowl, nobody is born a champion. Ang score ko 63... ganu'n kasama," kuwento ni Nepomuceno sa podcast na "Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel," tungkol sa una niyang pagsabak sa bowling tournament.
Payo ni Nepomuceno, unti-untiin ang goal setting at maghanda sa gagawing sakripisyo.
"Ang goal setting dapat step-by-step, kasi kung magdi-dream ka na maging world champion ka agad, baka ma-discourage ka kasi there are many obstacles that come with your way eh. And then you have to do a lot of sacrifice. Siyempre when I was young, I learned that kailangan 'yung self-sacrifice kusang loob, hindi dahil sa sasabihin ng coach mo or magulang mo or maging disiplinado ka. Kailangan kusang loob," anang Guinness World Record holder.
Kailangan din nito ng sipag, pasensiya at determinasyon.
Kuwento ni Nepomuceno, kinailangan din niyang baguhin ang kaniyang sarili dahil nagbabago rin ang teknolohiya sa sports. Kaya naman naabot niya ang kaniyang peak noong 90s.
Ibinahagi ni Nepomuceno ang kaniyang "four mental tools" para magtagumpay sa paligsahan.
"Visualization. You visualize the event in your mind, na titingnan mo kung paano ka magpe-perform for that day. In other words it's called game plan. Ivi-visualize mo kung ano ang gagawin mo, paano ka titira in your mind," pagbabahagi niya.
"Number two, importante bilib ka sa sarili mo, confidence. Self-talk. Sinasabi mo na I'm always cool, calm and collected at all times. Kasi number one kalaban ng atleta is kapag ninerbyos ka eh. Self-talk is important na, I'm always calm. I am a great strike player, shooter.'"
Pagpapatuloy ni Nepomuceno, "Number three is emotions. Kailangan feel na feel mo na kaya mong manalo. Visualize na sinasabit sa iyo ang medalya. The subconscious mind does not know what is real and unreal. Para sa subconscious mind, mangyayari at mangyayari 'yan."
Pang-apat na tool ang panalangin.
"God's will be done. You pray 'Lord, if it's for me, it's for me.' Kasi hindi ka maniniwala, marami akong panalo, marami rin akong second, third, fourth, fifth place. Kung ayaw ni Lord, accept it. Prayer is also important in your athletic life. Kailangan balanced ka mentally, spiritually, physically."
Payo ni Nepomuceno sa mga gustong maging atleta: "Enjoy what you do. Kailangan passionate ka about it. If you enjoy what you do you become better at it faster. Number two you have to be willing to work hard, make sacrifices. Walang nagiging champion kung walang disiplina. Discipline is important, mental discipline, physical discipline." -- FRJ, GMA Integrated News
