take control of the controllables
As athletes, we often get caught up and worry about what’s NOT in our control - the umpires, what other people think, the past, the future, our opponents, field conditions, etc. When we focus too much on these uncontrollables, we lose control of what really matters: our own performance and the present-moment.
That is why I firmly believe the #1 skill for all athletes is their ability to Control the Controllables. It’s basic and sounds simple in theory, but we all know it is way easier said than done, especially during competition when things don’t go our way. You could call Controlling the Controllables the foundation of having a Major League Mindset.
When you truly develop this skill and become great with focusing all of your energy on what’s in our control, you REAP many benefits. First, you’ll have way more fun and way more confidence. Second, you’ll feel way less pressure, stress, fear and anxiety. Those benefits then lead to you playing FREE and LOOSE on a consistent basis, and we all know what happens when you play FREE and LOOSE…much more success.
It’s important to understand that controlling the controllables is not about eliminating all external factors or challenges. It's about shifting your mindset and taking ownership of the factors that directly impact your performance. By acknowledging the things that are out of your control and focusing on what you can control, you will maintain a sense of empowerment and truly optimize your performance.
The key is to know that while we don’t control much of what happens to us in life, we ALWAYS control our response. We ALWAYS have the power to choose how we think and feel about whatever life and baseball throws at us. With that being said, there is still a good amount that you can control. So that begs the question, what is 100% in your control?
To help players get a good grasp of what is 100% in their control, I created an acronym, “R.E.A.P.”
R: Responses
E: Effort, Energy, Emotions
A: Attitude, Accountability, Appearance (Body language)
P: Perspective, Preparation, Positive self-talk, present-moment focus, Practice, etc…
By shifting your focus to these controllable factors, you will improve your performance and set yourself up for success, both ON and OFF the field. Here are some tips to do just that:
Focus on the process, not the outcome: Instead of worrying about results (out of your control), focus on the steps that are in your control (your process) that will lead you to those results. This is THE way to achieve whatever goal(s) you are after.
Develop routines: Create a pre-game routine that helps you focus and prepare mentally and physically, in-game routines that will help you quickly bounce back from adversity, and a post-game routine that will help you learn and move on from the game.
One-word focus: Have one word that is meaningful for you and write it under the bill of your hat or somewhere that you can easily see it. Look at it during competition to remind yourself to focus on what’s in your control and to lock in on the present-moment. (My one-word focus was BREATHE)
Control your BFS (Body Language, Focus, & Self-talk): Your BFS are three key components to developing a Major League Mindset. Body language is power, so carry yourself powerfully at all times; have present-moment, positive-future focus; and use positive self-talk to build confidence and overcome negative thoughts.
Remember, Controlling the Controllables is the #1 skill for athletes of all ages. Once you clarity on what you 100% can control and focus all of your energy on that, you will REAP the benefits, and you will show up as the best, most confident version of yourself on a consistent basis.
