THINK POSITIVE.
CATCH FISH. BY DR. GERALD NISSLEY
photo by Dr. Gerald Nissley I was in a funk. I was fishing on Gilbert Lake in upstate New York, and I was not catching fish. As a clinical psychologist who also helps athletes, I decided I needed an intervention. Positive visualization can be a useful tool for “getting in the zone” and is proven to enhance performance. It’s also easy to do! Visualization, or guided imagery, is often talked about in terms of going to our “happy place” when anxious or distressed, but it can also be used to help us get “out of our heads” and back to focusing on the techniques that land fish. Our brains do not inherently interpret experiences as real or fake. Thus, when we visualize success, it is like we practiced physically. Also, the calming of the mind and breathing necessary for visualization allows us to relax in a way that prevents further hurrying of presentations, casts, etc. that make execution sloppy and ineffective. Engaging in this “mental reset” when we’re getting frustrated is effective, but it works better when practiced proactively as well. To enhance your ability to engage in imagery when out on the water, practice the skill for ten minutes a day, and doing so at the start of your day is usually most effective. At first the skill may seem weird, but fake it until you make it. As for how to engage in visualization, close your eyes and take deep breaths. In training, say a word like “lunker” on your exhale. When you have no more sound coming out for the word, you’ve fully exhaled. While breathing deep, start envisioning your cast – you can select a previous successful memo-
ry or imagine one. Initially, focus on your senses as you imagine the cast – notice the sun on your skin, the wind cooling as it goes through your hair, your muscles tightening as they feel the tension of the rod, etc.. As you’re focused on your sensory experience of the cast, follow it through to successful end. See the lure hit the water, feel the “tap tap”, notice the heaviness of the rod. Follow the image all the way through to the elation of holding your lunker. If using when frustrated or distressed out on the water, use it until you’re more calm and ready to execute. While experiencing the sensations, also imagine yourself executing the desired technique in the cast – imagine good form, and good form follows. You may find, especially as you learn this skill, that you’re frequently distracted. When you become distracted, acknowledge it. I do this by saying, “hmmm… I’m [distraction]. That’s interesting.” Subsequently, focus on your breathing and return to imagery. As you get better at imagery, this will happen less and less. Going to one’s “happy” place is not just for treating anxiety. It can also help us calm down and get reoriented to make that next successful cast. By the way, I just gave you encouragement to think more about fishing. Doctor’s orders! Dr. Gerald Nissley is a licensed psychologist in Marshall, Texas, who provides sports, clinical, and forensic psychological services. Twitter: @DrNissley Web/blog: www.geraldnissleypsyd.com KAYAK BASS FISHING MAGAZINE
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