Once you have recognized that your mind has drifted, step two is to reset your mind. This action can take many forms. The reset could come in the form of an intentional breath (ex. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling audibly out through the mouth). Alternatively, a reset could be a word, or a phrase (e.g., “reset” or “lock back in”). The reset can be whatever you want it to be! Identify your unique reset cue and commit to using it regularly. Step three is to take action and respond in a way that brings you back into the present moment. For instance, if a basketball player realizes that their mind has drifted off, they reset through the phrase “lock in!” and respond to the current moment by pinpointing where the ball is on the court and moving into a better position to receive it from their teammate. The response must be actionable! 

The 3 R’s represent a simple technique that people can use in their athletic worlds or day-to-day lives. It is important to remember that this skill takes time, effort, and energy to master. You might find yourself noticing that your mind has drifted, resetting through a cue, and then losing your focus again. Additionally, it might take a little while to simply recognize that your mind has drifted away from the present moment. Both are normal! The more consistently you practice the 3 R’s, the quicker you will be able to recognize that your mind has drifted and the better you will become at resetting your focus and responding to the task at hand. Be patient with the process, be kind to yourself, and be courageous to keep trying!