Self-control (typically called willpower)

 Sporting activities and sports psychologists and coaches will tell you that victory is often gained in the mind as much if not more than by the skill an athlete possesses.

Self-control separates us from our ancient ancestors and the rest of the animal kingdom, thanks to our large prefrontal cortex. It is the ability to subdue our impulses in order to achieve longer-term goals. Rather than responding to immediate impulses, we can plan, evaluate alternative actions, and, often enough, avoid doing things we'll later regret. The ability to exert self-control is typically called willpower. scientists have failed to replicate some of the studies underlying the concept of ego depletion.

it is not some kind of negative and limiting behavior, as some people might think. When self-control is used wisely and with common sense, it becomes one of the most important tools for self improvement and for achieving success.

Self control is vital for overcoming obsessions, fears, addictions, and any kind of unsuitable behavior. It puts you in control of your life, your behavior, and your reactions. It improves your relationships, develops patience and tolerance, and is an important tool for attaining success and happiness.

It keeps in check self-destructive, addictive, obsessive and compulsive behavior.Gives you a sense of mastery over your life, and brings balance into your life.Self-control helps to keep over-emotional responses in check or moderation.Self-control eliminates the feeling helplessness and being too dependent on others.It helps to manifest mental and emotional detachment, which contributes to peace of mind.It enables to control moods and reject negative feelings and thoughts.Self-control strengthens self-esteem, confidence, inner strength, self-mastery and willpower.It enables you to take charge of your life.It makes you a responsible and trustworthy human being.

Lack of knowledge and understanding what self-control really is.Strong and uncontrolled emotional responses.Reacting to outside stimuli, without thinking first.Lack of discipline and willpower.Lack of the desire to change and improve.

Developing self control

- First you need to identify in what areas of your life you need to gain more self-control. Where do you find yourself lacking in self-control.
(Eating,Shopping,Drinking,Work,Gambling,Smoking,Obsessive behavior)

-Try identifying the emotions that lack control, such as anger, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, resentment, pleasure or fear.

- Identify the thoughts and beliefs that push you to behave in uncontrolled manner.

- Several times a day, especially when you need to display self control, repeat for a minute or two one of the following affirmations:

- Visualize yourself acting with self-control and self-restraint.
-  Self control will improve considerably, if you work on developing and strengthening your willpower and self-discipline through appropriate exercises. This is actually the most important step for developing self control.

Many people who compete in sporting activities and sports psychologists and coaches will tell you that victory is often gained in the mind as much if not more than by the skill an athlete possesses.

You’ll no doubt have witnessed sporting triumphs being wrenched away from a particular sportsman or woman because they have lost their self control or they’ve been unable to manage their emotions healthily. Gaining control of one’s emotions, especially in the face of extreme pressure or when things seem to be going against you is essential to all great champions. And, whilst remaining ice cool and unflustered to distractions and disappointments seems to come naturally to some athletes more than others, this is an area which can be worked on.

Anxiety And Anger

Anxiety and anger are the two key components of what causes athletes to lose their self control and find it difficult to manage their emotions. It could be a perfectly legitimate disallowed goal in football or your opponent in tennis making detrimental and un-sportsmanlike comments to the media about you that could cause you to lose it. Both anxiety and anger can, with practice, be used to your benefit if managed correctly. Anxiety can be both physical and mental (having negative thoughts or worrying). However, you can turn both of these into positives. Firstly, with anxiety you need to understand that this is a perfectly natural body response in preparation for competing. Therefore, all you then need to do is to focus on controlling that in a positive way through managing it by undertaking breathing exercises and other relaxation processes which help you focus positively on the competition to come.

Anger, on the other hand, can be dealt with differently. It usually comes about either because of something an official or opponent has done or said. Firstly, when it comes to incorrect decisions or perceived incorrect decisions in your view, you need to recognise them but then use the energy that stems from your anger positively. An example might be making your next shot, your best shot. In other words, accepting that bad decisions are part of sport and that sometimes they go for you and sometimes against (meaning they even out in the long run), you can put them behind you more easily and live in the moment rather than becoming distracted by what you felt was an unjust decision. Likewise with barracking from your opponent. Simply view it for what it is – that being an attempt to disrupt you and to make you lose your self control. By looking it in this way, you’re unlikely to let it get to you and you’ll remain in complete self control.

Deep breathing and relaxation exercises both before and even during competition can help to maintain a healthy, well balanced emotional state.