With Rio around the corner, athletes are gearing up to compete on the world stage, watched by billions of people globally.<br /> <br />They don't just need to be in peak physical condition, they need to be psychologically ready as well. Top experts share what it takes to think like a champion.
The psychology of winning —
With Rio around the corner, athletes are gearing up to compete on the world stage, watched by billions of people globally.

They don't just need to be in peak physical condition, they need to be psychologically ready as well. Top experts share what it takes to think like a champion.
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"Focus very much on yourself and your own abilities rather than people too much," says Dr David Fletcher, Senior lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lboro.ac.uk%2F%3Fexternal" target="_blank" target="_blank">Loughborough University</a>. "You have to be very preoccupied with your own performance, almost bordering on obsessional."
Ignore the competition —
"Focus very much on yourself and your own abilities rather than people too much," says Dr David Fletcher, Senior lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at Loughborough University. "You have to be very preoccupied with your own performance, almost bordering on obsessional."
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"Motivation is a key psychological factor," says Fletcher. "If people feel like they're good at something then they're going to do it more. If all goes to plan, the athletes soon feel like they're improving.
Set achievable goals —
"Motivation is a key psychological factor," says Fletcher. "If people feel like they're good at something then they're going to do it more. If all goes to plan, the athletes soon feel like they're improving.
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You may find butterflies in your stomach uncomfortable before nerve wracking events, but don't worry -- they're a good thing. "These nerves that you're feeling are a sign that you care about this and you're ready to perform, you're psyched up, ready to go. So it's about interpreting those nerves in a positive direction," says Fletcher.
Embrace the butterflies —
You may find butterflies in your stomach uncomfortable before nerve wracking events, but don't worry -- they're a good thing. "These nerves that you're feeling are a sign that you care about this and you're ready to perform, you're psyched up, ready to go. So it's about interpreting those nerves in a positive direction," says Fletcher.
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Some athletes can trigger a feeling of success through smell and sound alone. Fletcher says that when some athletes are feeling in a really strong, powerful state during training they smell lavender oil and listen to a certain song. <br /><br />Before competitions, athletes then repeat these steps which can bring back those powerful feelings. "[They] trigger the unconscious brain in order to put yourself into a really positive state."<br />
Connect your brain with success —
Some athletes can trigger a feeling of success through smell and sound alone. Fletcher says that when some athletes are feeling in a really strong, powerful state during training they smell lavender oil and listen to a certain song.

Before competitions, athletes then repeat these steps which can bring back those powerful feelings. "[They] trigger the unconscious brain in order to put yourself into a really positive state."
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"My main advice would be for the athlete to understand themselves better," says Dr Andrea Faull, a sports psychologist at <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worcester.ac.uk" target="_blank" target="_blank">Worcester University</a>, "Understand what they need to perform at their optimum level when it really counts, when the spotlight is on them." She believes the same can be said for recreational sports.
Know yourself —
"My main advice would be for the athlete to understand themselves better," says Dr Andrea Faull, a sports psychologist at Worcester University, "Understand what they need to perform at their optimum level when it really counts, when the spotlight is on them." She believes the same can be said for recreational sports.
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Many athletes have pre rehearsed scripts that they say in their minds keep focused, says Fletcher, "It's convincing themselves and reminding themselves of things they've done successfully in the past. Because often when the nerves hit you start doubting yourself."
Talk to yourself —
Many athletes have pre rehearsed scripts that they say in their minds keep focused, says Fletcher, "It's convincing themselves and reminding themselves of things they've done successfully in the past. Because often when the nerves hit you start doubting yourself."
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Being truly ready for a big sporting event means never being caught unaware. Just knowing what to do if your shoelaces snap, if your goggles break, or if your cap comes off could give you the confidence needed to win, says Faull.
Ask, what if? —
Being truly ready for a big sporting event means never being caught unaware. Just knowing what to do if your shoelaces snap, if your goggles break, or if your cap comes off could give you the confidence needed to win, says Faull.
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"I use the analogy of a bubble a lot with my athletes," says Faull, "You want to be inside your own little bubble, you don't want to let anything that might be outside of that bubble penetrate it or burst it." She says this involves sticking to your routines, focusing on what you need to do to perform, and shutting out anything that's irrelevant to the task at hand.
"Get in your bubble" —
"I use the analogy of a bubble a lot with my athletes," says Faull, "You want to be inside your own little bubble, you don't want to let anything that might be outside of that bubble penetrate it or burst it." She says this involves sticking to your routines, focusing on what you need to do to perform, and shutting out anything that's irrelevant to the task at hand.
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"All too often conflict and miscommunication can derail things as you're preparing for major competitions," says Fletcher. This means many top athletes learn good communication skills, so they can get the most out of their coaches and team mates.
Learn to communicate —
"All too often conflict and miscommunication can derail things as you're preparing for major competitions," says Fletcher. This means many top athletes learn good communication skills, so they can get the most out of their coaches and team mates.
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"Visualization or imagery techniques is when athletes spend time essentially closing their eyes and picturing the race," says Fletcher. This can help get their mind into a ready state and calm their nerves, focusing on being in control.
Visualize the event —
"Visualization or imagery techniques is when athletes spend time essentially closing their eyes and picturing the race," says Fletcher. This can help get their mind into a ready state and calm their nerves, focusing on being in control.
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"It's about having confidence in the plan," says Faull, "A lot of times people are thinking in terms of the score or the time, but actually if you stick to the plan and stick to the process then the outcome takes care of itself." He believes this is the best way to ensure you perform well.
Stick to the plan —
"It's about having confidence in the plan," says Faull, "A lot of times people are thinking in terms of the score or the time, but actually if you stick to the plan and stick to the process then the outcome takes care of itself." He believes this is the best way to ensure you perform well.
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Pressure is often interpreted as being a negative thing, but it could actually be the opposite, says Faull. Many people -- whether top athletes or office workers -- really thrive under pressure, needing deadlines to get work done.
Pressure is a privilege —
Pressure is often interpreted as being a negative thing, but it could actually be the opposite, says Faull. Many people -- whether top athletes or office workers -- really thrive under pressure, needing deadlines to get work done.
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While nerves can be a good thing, it's also helpful to keep them in control when you're feeling jittery. Relaxation techniques such as focusing on breathing can help keep a lid on some of the nerves.<br />
And ... relax —
While nerves can be a good thing, it's also helpful to keep them in control when you're feeling jittery. Relaxation techniques such as focusing on breathing can help keep a lid on some of the nerves.
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