“Thinking” can be defined as the mental activity that orders information, relates it, draws conclusions, and evaluates it in order to finally make a judgment that leads to a certain behavior or action.
Generally, human thinking as a rational capacity tends to be logical, coherent, fluid, and intentional, and its objective is the resolution of problems.
It is said that to think is to speak in silence. Thinking is manifested through language, therefore, the different type of language used will determine different types of thoughts. While ideas, symbols, or associations are used, thinking is also done through mental images.
When thinking, concepts are used as a form of cognitive economy, that is, as a frugal way of alluding to properties associated with an object or situation. The number of words that would have to be used every time we think of something would be endless, which would exceed our cognitive capacity. For example, if we think of the concept “snow”, we include the characteristics of white, cold, slippery, soft/hard, etc.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman proposes that the mind creates two systems of thought. System 1 is fast, instinctive, and emotional, often using intuition, although not always with the desired results. System 2 is slow, deliberative, more logical, and makes decisions after deliberately analyzing intuitions.
Cognitive Control of Thought Processes
The way we think affect the way we plan our skiing, in the choice of personal goals, and in the decisions we make. According to psychologist and psychology professor Daniel Wegner, mental control over thoughts would involve two systems of regulation: one process aimed at actively and consciously producing the desired mental state; and another automatic and unconscious monitoring process aimed at evoking failures, which resets unwanted thoughts.
Our skiing behavior is based on what we think rather than on the objective reality of the situations we face. Attempted thought control directly affects our performance, as reflected in both recreational and competitive skiing. Having intrusive thoughts, we begin to reason in a disorganized manner by way of protection, rather than strategically. Generally, the source of suffering when experiencing intrusive thoughts is not the frequency but the very inability to regulate them. Effectively managing regulation through vigilant monitoring assists in decreasing anxiety worry.
The Thinking Skier
When skiing thoughts become internalized actions with predominantly somatosensory images, which condition movements and postures generating physical actions that, when related to previous actions, provoke new experiences that are imprinted as different muscular tensions.
As skiers, thoughts symbolize the resolution of problems while gliding, that is, the “how to do” to determine, for example, a point on the trajectory, regulate our speed, or establish the differences of the terrain or the slalom course. Thoughts help plan, adjust, and evaluate our own skiing.
The conflict arises when we overdo speculations and ponderings, then worries, doubts, excessive focus on technique, on the course, or on the comparison with other skiers emerge, which produces a cognitive distraction and a loss of focus on what is relevant at that moment.
It is normal, under certain conditions, to torment oneself with worrying thoughts, imaginary or real, related to threatening events. Some complex decisional situations are generators of negative thoughts and keeping them away is not an easy task.
Hindering thoughts such as fear of failure, the need of not losing control, high level of expectation or pressure make it difficult to mentally disconnect from the challenging situation and focus on what needs to be done to deal with it. In addition, we are likely to use these thoughts to protect ourselves from the negative emotions that are generated. Anxious ruminations cause being chronically preoccupied with catastrophic thoughts that are usually the product of anxiety itself.
Avoiding these negative thoughts through repression is ineffective since it includes the thought itself, which potentiates them. Saying to oneself “I don’t have to think about speed” or “I must avoid the ice” unfailingly activates the thought about the speed or the area of ice to be avoided.
Both mistakes and failures are sources of unwanted thoughts through cognitive ruminations, which do nothing but provoke subsequent mistakes. Rumination is a negative phenomenon that is about constantly thinking on the detrimental aspects of skiing. This mechanism turns us into our own enemy. Self-reflection, self-understanding, and self-compassion are the three tools to unlock this vicious circle of invasive ideations and gradually weaken the inner critic.
Conclusion
| Thought Category | Definition & Nature | Impact on Performance | Action & Control |
| Toxic / Harmful | Dysfunctional, maladaptive, and limiting thoughts. | Restricts and lowers performance. | Must be identified and rejected mid-descent. |
| Beneficial / Constructive | Functional and critical thoughts. | Enhances and supports execution. | Must be recognized and actively embraced. |
| Unconscious Thoughts | Automatic ideas that arise during the descent. | Forms the background of our mindset. | Can be controlled by choosing how to react. |
