Self-Talk
Everyone thinks...a lot. Some researchers say 50,000 thoughts a day is average and that half of these thoughts are negative. That's scary. I don't know if the numbers are correct, but I do know that humans think and that these thoughts determine attitudes, including confidence. The "articles" in this topic provide concrete examples (relating to a specific theme) of normal versus ideal thinking patterns about the same thing.
Mental Toughness Toolbox: Power Phrases
Wouldn’t life be great if we had a coach who knew just what to say to us, and exactly when to say it? This person would know the perfect balance of how to push and support us, and they would always have perfect timing (and be nearby). Of course, there is only one potential person who can fill that role: ourself. For this reason and many others, the most important coach any athlete will ever have is oneself.
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Write comment (0 Comments)Dump the Slump
Dump the Slump
You must accept your disappointments and triumphs equally.
—Harvey Penick, Golf Coach
The first thing I do after losing is forget it.
—Nancy Lopez, Golf Hall of Famer
Confidence is an interesting concept. No one would argue this point: the athlete's belief that she is about to perform well actually causes her to do well more often. There are other factors in performance, of course, but a well-qualified athlete without confidence is unlikely to perform very well. At best, she will be inconsistent. It is tough to find a poorly qualified athlete with confidence because no one can lie to themselves, but those athletes whose confidence is a bit higher than their skill level are often rewarded for this belief.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Without Awareness, No Adjustment is Possible
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true not because it was correct, but because of the belief that it was correct. That is fine if it's a positive prophecy, but let's work to avoid limiting beliefs!
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Write comment (0 Comments)Just Say No…to No
Just Say No…to No
by Nick Hayes and Aaron Weintraub
“Here we go again.” “I’m doing it wrong.” “Don’t mess up.” “I can’t do this!” It is fairly obvious that these common phrases are too negative. What is less obvious is the physical impact of negative thinking. Since awareness is the foundation for all adjustments, it’s quite useful to explore the consequences that come from choosing negative rather than positive self-talk.
Write comment (1 Comment)Good Words and Curse Words
Printable: Good_words_and_curse_words_2015.pdf
Time and time again, I have found that "bad" words like need and supposed to are in the athlete's head when he or she is performing well below potential.
Write comment (0 Comments)A Peek Inside: RESILIENCE and ADJUSTMENTS
Change: Use instead:
|
That was awful. |
What's next? |
| Oh, sh**! | Well, that obviously doesn't work...another step forward. |
| I don't like this. | I like doing what it takes to win! |
| I don't know if I'm strong enough. |
No one knows the future; just do my best. |
| Maybe my best isn't good enough. | My best is always good enough. Nothing more is possible, so asking for more is ridiculous. |
| I think I'll go eat ice cream/drink beer. | The first rule of getting out of a hole: stop digging. |
| I hate that it's so hard. | It's good that it's hard because otherwise everyone would do it. |
Read more: A Peek Inside: RESILIENCE and ADJUSTMENTS
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