Almost exactly three years ago today, I made my history making professional boxing debut. I was about to become Saudi Arabia's first ever professional boxer in history. Amazing, right? Great. But there was one problem. I've never done it before. No one's ever done it before. But what if there was a way? What if there was a way for me to do it before I actually do it? What if there was a way for us to do something before we actually do it? The truth is, I've already fought this fight a 100 times in my head. ...

Core Argument - The power of visualization and positive self-talk can significantly impact performance, as the brain struggles to differentiate between real and imagined experiences [4][8] - Mental boundaries, such as fear, doubt, and anxiety, are often greater obstacles than physical limitations [5][6] - Visualization builds self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to achieve a successful outcome, although it doesn't guarantee success [11][12] Visualization Techniques - Vividly visualizing scenarios and situations activates the same neural pathways in the brain as actually performing them [8] - A study at the University of Cleveland showed that visualizing a weightlifting program led to an increase in muscle mass and strength, even without physical training [9][10][11] - Visualization should include detailed mental rehearsal of the situation, feelings, and positive outcomes [3][10] Mental Strategies - Positive self-talk and positive thoughts are crucial tools for overcoming self-limiting beliefs [7] - It's important to detach the journey from the result and the result from the journey [12] - Controlling one's thoughts is essential, as uncontrolled thoughts can lead to negative outcomes [17] Practical Exercise - The "open notebook exercise" involves writing down negative thoughts and identifying actions to address them, helping to control and eliminate those thoughts [18][19]