Book review: The Inner Game of Tennis 內心的網球遊戲
內在心法對表現的影響非常驚人, 不僅在體育領域，在任何的努力和嘗試中也能看到。即使是如網球一般似乎注重身體表現的活動，在表現的高峰，更像是對心理力量的考驗,而不是技術能力。因此, 能夠阻止外界的干擾和專注於當下的任務, 應該被認為是一種寶貴的技能, 這不僅僅能運用在網球運動中, 也能改變你的人生態度。這就是這本書的主題, 由體育教練W. Timothy Gallwey所撰寫的。
以網球為例，Gallwey首先說明了為什麼在比賽過程中會出現問題。觀察的壓力揭示了他所謂的”兩個自我“。一，批判性的自我，以及二，直覺上的自我。他認為,第二個自我包括一種更深、更先天的智慧,而不是理性的思維,依靠的是本能,而不是邏輯。而後者的自我,才是能夠帶給你傑出表現的關鍵。
Gallwey認為,能達到顛峰值表現的秘訣在於讓平息自我批判——否則會干擾和分散注意力——以及取得更深層次自我的信任。畢竟,在體育比賽期間,通常只有一秒可以反應，所以理性的頭腦在這裡對我們沒有任何帮助。減少邏輯思維噪音的技術包括培養專注當下的意識,以及釋放不論正面還是負面的評論和比較。
Gallwey認為,能達到顛峰值表現的秘訣在於讓平息自我批判——否則會干擾和分散注意力——以及取得更深層次自我的信任。畢竟,在體育比賽期間,通常只有一秒可以反應，所以理性的頭腦在這裡對我們沒有任何帮助。減少邏輯思維噪音的技術包括培養專注當下的意識,以及釋放不論正面還是負面的評論和比較。
接下來,他討論了一些人們傾向於在網球中玩的心理遊戲,如追求完美，努力比別人更好，以及獲得地位。他概述了這些內在的障礙為任何精英球員需要克服的問題; 我們中的許多人知道太努力的感覺, 但結果不盡如人意。
對我來說，最有趣的是，Gallwey 將這些教導從運動心理學推展其他生活領域。他闡明如何通過平息自我批判和尊重自我來穩定內心，這有助於我們實現任何目標。他稱之為 “進入化境” 。
對我來說，最有趣的是，Gallwey 將這些教導從運動心理學推展其他生活領域。他闡明如何通過平息自我批判和尊重自我來穩定內心，這有助於我們實現任何目標。他稱之為 “進入化境” 。
不過,他說,最終真的跟著這種內心遊戲的方法意味著沒有外部目標可以實現。找到自己的激情並發現真正令人滿意，是一條沒有外部獎賞或讚美的道路。當外部讚美的慾望消退時,真正的冠軍就誕生了。
這本書討論了一個很少接近的主題，就是人內心生活與外部結果的關系。我從一個我通常不探索的領域，運動心理學，中發現了一些有趣的智慧。由於本書有許多網球技術的篇幅，我會首先推薦給任何網球狂熱者或運動員。不過, 如果像我一樣被這種概念吸引的你，可能也會覺得很有趣!
It is amazing how much internal psychology affects performance, not just in the field of sport, but in any endeavour. Even an activity which on the face of it seems purely physical, such as tennis, is at the highest level more like a test of psychological strength than technical prowess. The ability to block out external distractions and focus on the task at hand should be considered an invaluable skill, not only in tennis, but in life. This was the topic of this book, written by sports coach W. Timothy Gallwey.
Using tennis as an example, Gallwey first offers some ideas as to why things go wrong during performance. The pressure of third party observation brings to light what he calls the ‘two selves’ — the critical, judgemental self, and the self that intuitively knows how to behave. This second self, he argues, comprises a deeper, more innate intelligence than the rational mind, relying on instinct, rather than logic. It is this latter self that is capable of elite performance.
Gallwey suggests that the secret to peak performance lies in quieting the critical self — which only serves to interfere and distract — and in trusting the deeper self. After all, during sports competitions there is often only a fraction of a second to react, so the rational mind is of no use to us there. Techniques to reduce the logical mind’s noise include practising present awareness, and releasing judgements and comparisons, both positive and negative.
He then discusses some mental games that people tend to play in tennis, such as seeking perfection, trying to be better than the other person, and gaining status. He outlines these as inner obstacles which any elite player needs to overcome; many of us know the feeling of trying too hard, only to produce less than desirable outcomes.
Most interestingly to me, Gallwey extrapolates these teachings from sports psychology to other areas of life. He elucidates how building inner stability, through quieting the critical self and respecting the inner self, aids in achieving goals of any kind. He calls this getting ‘in the zone’.
However, he says that ultimately this method of the inner game means there really is no external goal to be achieved. Following one’s own thirst and discovering what is truly satisfying is a path for which there will be no external credit or praise. When the desire for external validation fades, a true champion is born.
This book discusses the rarely approached subject of one’s internal life in relation to external outcomes, and I found here some useful wisdom from a field I don’t usually explore, that is, sport psychology. Due to some more technical chapters, I would recommend it to any tennis fanatics or sports players first and foremost. However, if like me the concept appeals to you, you might find it interesting!