Mindset part 3: The power of performance enhancement imagery and self talk.

In my last few articles I have discussed quite a bit about the mindset that law enforcement and security professionals need to perform their job. In this article I am going to discuss how to use your sub-conscious to prepare yourself for the job.

Performance enhancement imagery goes by dozens of different names. Essentially, they boil down to this: You imagine doing something. It’s basically just using your imagination, and as everyone has an imagination, everyone can do it. You have probably used performance enhancement imagery multiple times over the years but never known it.

Research studies into the effects of imagery date back prior to World War 2. These studies predominantly focus on the effects on athletes. However, in 2002, a research study was conducted at the Ontario Police College to determine the effects of imagery. Half of a recruit class conducted imagery while the other half did not. The effects of the imagery sessions were measured during one of the final scenarios. In the scenario it was noted that officers who had participated in the imagery sessions were less likely to display anxiety and had a higher hit ratio with their firearm.

I use imagery all the time. Before I started doing more teaching I rarely had the opportunity to practice my skills with a partner. Instead I often closed my eyes and imagined the techniques. I could create my own training room in my imagination and I could practice the skills anytime and anywhere. When I got back into teaching I noticed that my skills where good despite not having physically performed most of them for almost 2 years. The reason for this is that the sub-conscious cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is perceived. This is how pornography works. Your conscious mind knows that it isn’t real but your sub-conscious doesn’t, therefore your body begins to respond to it. If the people making pornography use these techniques why don’t we use the same principles for improving our own abilities?

In addition to technique improvement, imagery can also be used to condition your response to a situation. When-then thinking is some of the best imagery that you can do. I would often sit at one of our security posts and imagine dozens of different scenarios. I would then imagine what my response would be to that scenario. For the short time I did traffic enforcement I would imagine different vehicle stops and how I needed to respond. I would imagine making stops and immediately taking fire. I would imagine dozens of different outcomes. Sometimes I imagined gunning the gas and getting the hell out of dodge. Other times I would imagine grabbing some of the shotgun shells (while most Peace Officers conducting traffic stops are unarmed I would have had a shotgun in the trunk for animal control) from the drivers side door panel and hitting the trunk release. I imagined crouching and moving to the trunk while calmly radioing for backup, grabbing the shotgun, racking a shell, acquiring a sight picture and firing on my attacker. The possibilities are endless and by mentally preparing yourself for some of the most common scenarios your mind is creating files that it will fall back to in the event something similar happens.

Imagery can be conducted anywhere and anytime. I have done imagery sessions with a group, one on one and by myself. I usually begin by creating a positive expectation. Listing the benefits and assuring people that it isn’t a trick is usually a good start. People are more likely to buy into an idea if they know it will benefit them in the long run. Getting buy in from people in security and law enforcement is usually pretty difficult because generally we are sceptical people. This isn’t a bad thing as it keeps us safe but it makes the buy in process all the more important.

I find that the easiest way to get people to use their imagination is to relax and close their eyes. When we close our eyes we dramatically reduce the number of potential distractions. It allows our imagination to work easier and create more realistic thoughts.

Always imagine yourself succeeding. No matter what you imagine, whether it’s you performing a technique or being in a fight. Always imagine succeeding. If students are having problems with a technique I often get them to imagine themselves performing it correctly. Sometimes I have them describe the actions and what they feel and look like. Often the student can imagine themselves performing the technique and can describe the look and feel of the technique. I then get them to perform the technique and tell me how it is different from their imagination. Most of the time the students were able to correct themselves without too much assistance from instructors. This not only frees up the instructors but it also improves the ability for the student to retain the knowledge.

While it is vital to always imagine yourself winning it is also a good idea to imagine yourself being wounded, finishing the fight and performing self-aid. Imagining getting injured is realistic because it could happen. The most important thing is to imagine fighting through the injury, winning the fight and then helping yourself.

Another method of improving your mindset is by positive self talk. During the Calibre Press street survival seminars every attendee is given a credit card size plastic card with some short positive phrases on one side. The staff encourages the officers to keep the card somewhere that they will see it everyday. I carry mine with my CPO ID card. I will often read it and the Warrior Creed that I also carry at work. The card keeps me in a positive state of mind and reminds me that, when I am in a fight I should never give up. I have created my own version of this card for all of you. It is a draft copy and I anticipate making changes in the future based on user feedback. I took the basic fundamentals of the street survival card and altered it for a security audience. The card comes in two parts. The idea is that you can print it off, fill in the blank, laminate it and carry it with you. It should be a little smaller then a credit card. This will allow you to have it near your One side has positive affirmations on it. The other has says “I WILL WIN BECAUSE…” Underneath there is a large blank section. I want you list as many reasons as possible as to why you need to win in a fight. Do you have loved ones at home who depend on you? Write it down. Do you have a favourite place, hobby or activity that you enjoy? Write it down. It may seem weird but I have heard from officers involved in life and death fights who remembered what they wrote and decided today wasn’t their day to die.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8u...thkey=CKHDjuUH


Stay Safe,

Chris


*Please note that the opinions reflected in these articles are mine and mine alone. They are based upon my education, training and experience. They in no way reflect the opinions of my agency, ProtectionServices.ca or the site administrator. Always consult with your agency instructor and check your policy prior to attempting any new procedures or techniques.*