MY STORY
Hi, my name is Jason. I'm a husband, a father to 2 boys and for the last 16 years - a coach to a whole lot more.
Fun with Focus began as a simple search to find a solution for my own young athlete who'd begun struggling with his focus on the mound.
I knew I'd need a program which would not only be effective, but also practical (aka: entertaining/engaging) enough that even a player with little interest in any 'mental training' - would be open to getting on board with. But despite nearly 2 years of searching - I came up short.
Still, I felt their HAD to be a better way.
So I set out to find it.
Having had my own struggles with the 'mental game', I knew from experience how powerful such tools as meditation and imagery can be in helping to recognize, face - and overcome - the distractions and (often self-imposed) roadblocks which often keep us from our potential.
I just wish I'd found it sooner. Of course I'd heard all about the benefits - but it was only with the help of a basic "guided meditation" program (in my case, a simple app on my phone) that I finally found the discipline and patience to finally give it a realistic shot.
And while it may not be for everyone, for ME... it truly was a game changer.
And like meditation - Imagery - or mental rehearsal - while simple in concept - is not always so easy in practice.
Whether it's focusing on a specific action - like a golf swing, free throw or playing the piano, or visualizing a much larger or longer term goal - some help getting started... and a little direction along the way - can make ALL the difference.
It's NO SECRET
As a fan and student of personal growth for over 30 years, I also knew the difference our mindset can make in the success, or lack thereof, in nearly everything we do. Not only in how far we go, but its impact on our attitude, relationships and happiness along the way.
But the tricky part isn't just having the right mindset... but keeping it. Struggle and failure are part of the game. It's staying positive, keeping perspective and continuing to move forward in the right direction that makes the difference.
And one of the most effective ways to do this is through a few minutes of mental rehearsal. In fact, thanks to modern science, we now have proof of what so many elite performers from every walk of life who swear by it have known for years - the practice of Imagery is more powerful than we even imagined.
I'm not a Dr. ...so why ME?
Nor am I a therapist or hold any sort of official license in 'mental toughness' or 'training'.
So what makes ME qualified to teach, or 'guide' anyone through a program (much less create one) designed to increase mental toughness?
My answer to that is... Maybe I'm not.
Sure, I've spent hundreds of hours over the last several years reading and listening to everything I could get my hands on related to mental toughness, mindset, the brain, how it works and what's it capable of. Not for any certificate, but simply because the more I learned, the more fascinating it became.
And while I've always had a passion for sports, played competitive baseball for years and coached many more after that, none of this was at a professional level. So nothing particularly special there.
BUT, this isn't a typical mental training program. And the reality is there's very little 'training' going on at all. Because like meditation, the benefits we receive from Imagery don't come from anything we're taught... but from within.
In other words, it's our brain that does all the work.
By focusing our mind on specific Images - be it small actions or larger outcomes - we simply give our brain an opportunity to do... what the brain does. Process, store and turn those thoughts into action. And ultimately, with a little consistently, reality.
The KEY is, the more "real" we make those images, the sooner and more significant - the results.
Which is all this program is designed - or could ever even hope - to do. Take a bit of what I've learned along the way - along with some CREATIVITY - & help a young athlete engage, create the scene.. spark the imagination & senses.. be specific with their images, stay focused while doing it... and simply allow the brain to work its ' Magic '.
I ALSO LACK A DEGREE in PIZZA, CELL PHONE PLANS & HIP-HOP...
Which is where my background comes into play. As a copywriter and Creative Director for the last 23 years, I've made a career helping some of the most well known brands in the world paint pictures in their customers minds.
To connect. And create emotion. Happy. Sad. Excited. Smart. Inspired. And ultimately, motivated to take ACTION.
At times, this also meant taking ideas or concepts which were new, or unclear, or just not yet widely accepted - and present them in such a way that, well... a 10 yr old could understand.
One might say Mindfulness, Imagery & the "Mental Game" fall into this category.
So while I also may not be an "expert" in Insurance, Taxes or Tacos, it didn't keep me from creating campaigns which successfully helped people think, see, feel and Imagine all kinds of things in ways they may never have before.
So the program's basically a bunch of AD copy?
Not at all. But I'll say this: the opportunity to use my creativity to help a young athlete experience the Power of Imagery - and with it a chance to make a positive impact both now and potentially long after their little league days have ended - is the most FUN, and satisfying experience I've had on a project in... a long time.
So, am I qualified? Maybe not. But some of the best, most inspiring stories ever written have been set in Hospitals, Courtrooms and Lands Far, Far Away... yet were created by passionate artists with no medical license, law degree, or... you get the point.
In any case, while it may a little different than anything you've seen before, I do hope you'll give it a shot. And allow you're favorite young athlete the chance to strengthen his mindset, have a little more focus, and of course... a lot more fun.
Because I realize this program may not make you're son a better athlete, much less change his LIFE.
But the thing is... it actually could.
We have a window.
An opportunity to use their interest in SPORTS...
to introduce our boys to new IDEAS, SKILLS and PRACTICES in which they otherwise - may not be as receptive.
By offering these tools in a practical, creative and engaging way - we have a very REAL (but closing) window to provide them with a significant edge in the mental game.
Empowering them on the field today - and for whatever comes next tomorrow.
I hope you'll join us.
Because FOCUS, CONFIDENCE & PERSPECTIVE are skills we all could have used a little more of, a little sooner.