the importance of positive self-talk
Today, let’s talk about a topic that doesn’t get enough attention when it comes to athletic performance: positive self-talk. The inner dialogue that’s going on all the time in our head is THE most important thing we have going on. How we talk to ourselves is a huge part of creating a powerful self-image, which leads to way more confidence.
It’s a simple truth: What we think, we become. That is why it’s crucial for athletes to take control and feed their mind positive thoughts with their self-talk.
As Shad Helmstetter says in his great book ‘What To Say When You Talk To Yourself’, “The brain simply believes what you tell it most. And what you tell it about you it will create. It has no choice.”
Having positive self-talk as a tool in your toolbox will help you manage the adversity that we all experience. Confident players know this so they make sure to consistently have strong, positive thoughts and dialogue running through their head.
More often than not, when the level of competition is close, the difference between success and failure comes down to what's going on inside our heads. The best part about it is that the way we talk to ourselves is 100% in our control and something every athlete should strive to be excellent with.
Here are a few reasons why positive self-talk is so important:
It helps you stay focused and motivated: When you're facing a tough challenge, it's easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. But by using positive self-talk, you can remind yourself of your strengths and capabilities. This can help you stay motivated and focused on the task at hand.
It boosts confidence: All athletes know that confidence is crucial. When you believe in yourself, you're more likely to take risks, push yourself harder, and perform at your best. Positive self-talk can help boost your confidence by reminding you of who you are at your best and what you are truly capable of.
It improves your mindset: Athletes who use positive self-talk are more likely to have a growth mindset. This means that they see challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles holding them back. By adopting a growth mindset, you're more likely to bounce back from setbacks and continue to improve.
It reduces stress and anxiety: Sports can be stressful, especially when you're competing at a high level. But by using positive self-talk, you can reduce stress and anxiety by reminding yourself that you can respond powerfully to anything that happens to you, on or off the field.
So, how can you incorporate positive self-talk into your routine? Start by building awareness, especially around your negative self-talk patterns. When things aren't going good for you, how do you talk to yourself? Once you've identified those patterns, replace them with positive affirmations.
For example, instead of saying "I can't do this," say "I've done this before, I can do it again." Or instead of saying "I hope the ball is not hit to me," say "Bring it on. I'm ready for anything. Hit the ball to me."
Remember, positive self-talk isn't about ignoring your weaknesses or pretending that everything is perfect. It's about acknowledging your strengths and using them to overcome your challenges.
Just like any other skill that you want to develop, it takes consistent reps. By incorporating positive self-talk into your routine, you WILL improve your mental game and you WILL put yourself in a much better position to succeed on a consistent basis.
