Thirteen ways to think like an Olympic champion

By Susie East, for CNN

Updated 1528 GMT (2328 HKT) August 5, 2016

With Rio around the corner, athletes are gearing up to compete on the world stage, watched by billions of people globally.<br /> <br />They don't just need to be in peak physical condition, they need to be psychologically ready as well. Top experts share what it takes to think like a champion.

Photos: Training your mind to win

The psychology of winning – With Rio around the corner, athletes are gearing up to compete on the world stage, watched by billions of people globally.

They don't just need to be in peak physical condition, they need to be psychologically ready as well. Top experts share what it takes to think like a champion.

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"Focus very much on yourself and your own abilities rather than people too much," says Dr David Fletcher, Senior lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at <a href="http://www.lboro.ac.uk/?external" target="_blank">Loughborough University</a>. "You have to be very preoccupied with your own performance, almost bordering on obsessional."

Photos: Training your mind to win

Ignore the competition – "Focus very much on yourself and your own abilities rather than people too much," says Dr David Fletcher, Senior lecturer in Sport and Performance Psychology at Loughborough University. "You have to be very preoccupied with your own performance, almost bordering on obsessional."

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"Motivation is a key psychological factor," says Fletcher. "If people feel like they're good at something then they're going to do it more. If all goes to plan, the athletes soon feel like they're improving.

Photos: Training your mind to win

Set achievable goals – "Motivation is a key psychological factor," says Fletcher. "If people feel like they're good at something then they're going to do it more. If all goes to plan, the athletes soon feel like they're improving.

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You may find butterflies in your stomach uncomfortable before nerve wracking events, but don't worry -- they're a good thing. "These nerves that you're feeling are a sign that you care about this and you're ready to perform, you're psyched up, ready to go. So it's about interpreting those nerves in a positive direction," says Fletcher.

Photos: Training your mind to win

Embrace the butterflies – You may find butterflies in your stomach uncomfortable before nerve wracking events, but don't worry -- they're a good thing. "These nerves that you're feeling are a sign that you care about this and you're ready to perform, you're psyched up, ready to go. So it's about interpreting those nerves in a positive direction," says Fletcher.

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Some athletes can trigger a feeling of success through smell and sound alone. Fletcher says that when some athletes are feeling in a really strong, powerful state during training they smell lavender oil and listen to a certain song. <br /><br />Before competitions, athletes then repeat these steps which can bring back those powerful feelings. "[They] trigger the unconscious brain in order to put yourself into a really positive state."<br />

Photos: Training your mind to win

Connect your brain with success – Some athletes can trigger a feeling of success through smell and sound alone. Fletcher says that when some athletes are feeling in a really strong, powerful state during training they smell lavender oil and listen to a certain song.

Before competitions, athletes then repeat these steps which can bring back those powerful feelings. "[They] trigger the unconscious brain in order to put yourself into a really positive state."

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"My main advice would be for the athlete to understand themselves better," says Dr Andrea Faull, a sports psychologist at <a href="http://www.worcester.ac.uk" target="_blank">Worcester University</a>, "Understand what they need to perform at their optimum level when it really counts, when the spotlight is on them." She believes the same can be said for recreational sports.

Photos: Training your mind to win

Know yourself – "My main advice would be for the athlete to understand themselves better," says Dr Andrea Faull, a sports psychologist at Worcester University, "Understand what they need to perform at their optimum level when it really counts, when the spotlight is on them." She believes the same can be said for recreational sports.

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Many athletes have pre rehearsed scripts that they say in their minds keep focused, says Fletcher, "It's convincing themselves and reminding themselves of things they've done successfully in the past. Because often when the nerves hit you start doubting yourself."

Photos: Training your mind to win

Talk to yourself – Many athletes have pre rehearsed scripts that they say in their minds keep focused, says Fletcher, "It's convincing themselves and reminding themselves of things they've done successfully in the past. Because often when the nerves hit you start doubting yourself."

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