It all starts with a commitment.  And not just “any old” commitment.  No, we are going to step it up a few notches and make a vow.  Making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great.  If you have halfhearted desire, give up halfway, or ultimately quit; your commitment hasn’t been based on a vow.  A vow is a sacred and solemn promise to yourself and others, and in this case, yourself and the entire Ripkik community.  A vow is the only prerequisite to mastering the mental game and unleashing your potential.  Without it, don’t waste your time creating an alter ego.  So, first things first, make a vow.

Now it is time to determine your season profile.  The reality is that you are always in a season, whether it is pre-season, regular season, or the off-season. 

• Pre-Season: The time period when you “tune-up” for the season, typically with unofficial competition.
• Regular Season: The time period during which official competition occurs.
• Off-Season: The time period when fundamentals (skills, strength, and conditioning) are the primary focus.

Regardless of the season, there are always results you want to achieve both physically and mentally.  So, determine your season start date, the type of season, and the sport to focus on.  During the off-season, it is important to understand that there is still only one sport to focus on, even for multi-sport athletes.

Finally, you need to complete your athlete profile so you know exactly who you are creating your alter ego for. The first set of questions asks you to provide your basic stats which are important to track season to season throughout your athletic career.  The second portion asks you to list your successes, personal records (PRs), and best accomplishments.  This enables you to see exactly where you currently stand as an athlete to date while also showing your progression over time.

Once you complete the chapter questions, you will be committed and know precisely where you stand as an athlete.  This is the starting line for your journey on the path of peak performance which will lead you toward the edge of your potential and beyond.