your biggest competition (hint: look in the mirror!)
When you think of yourself as an athlete, you probably dream about getting the game winning hit in game 7, scoring the winning touchdown, or whatever other victory that ends up resting on your shoulders. Maybe you think of rounding third base while your coaches, teammates, and fans cheer you on. What a feeling right?
A chance to be in those big games and moments is one of the most exciting things in sports, and most athletes are working hard to put themselves into a position where they can play in big games and have a chance to help decide the outcome.
You probably never had a dream like that where you were sitting on the bench or were looking on from the dugout while *someone else* made the game winning play right? Think about that for a second. How does that make you feel? Probably not nearly as good, right? What if that person actually “took your spot” and was now batting in your spot of the order? Probably even worse…
Here is an uncomfortable truth that we should all be aware of. The fact is, you are in competition with your teammates (in the eyes of your coaches). You’re in competition for playing time, for a ‘top spot’ in the order, and to be put into the most important and pressure situations.
Because of this, many players will offer the cold shoulder to their “competition” within the team or can be hostile to anyone who they perceive to be a threat to “their” spot. Think about that for a second, and I’m sure you can imagine someone on your team right now or someone that you’ve played with in the past that fits this description. Is this person a fun person to be around and someone that is good for the team?
At Major League Mindset, we stress that the most important competition is the one that you have with yourself. How do you create the best version of yourself, and what steps do you need to take in order to get there? Comparing yourself to others isn’t going to help you achieve *your* goals and be the best version of yourself. So when it comes to comparing yourself to the competition, let alone your teammates, there simply isn’t a lot of value in doing that.
It can, though, open the door for feelings of jealousy, creating rifts in the team culture and give you a reputation as someone who doesn’t act in the best interest of the team. Simply put, don’t be this person.
Tips on dealing with competition within your team for playing time:
1. Focus on what you can control
The best way for you to increase your playing time within the team and keep your name on the lineup card is becoming the best version of YOU. Follow your process and routines around improving your training, nutrition, and mental performance and you’ll make yourself someone who is difficult to be replaced within the team. You don’t worry at all about what others are doing in order to do this.
2. Be a good teammate
Not going to lie, this can be a bit difficult if you’re not in the right mindset. Ultimately you want individual success for yourself and team success as well, it’s just way more fun that way! Whether you come out on the winning or losing end in the competition for a starting spot, make sure that you’re a good teammate either way. Support the player who is currently in the spot you want or be gracious and helpful to the player who you are competing with.
Of all the lessons you could ever learn from Major League Mindset, this could be the most important one. In baseball, and in life, being a toxic teammate is a surefire way to cut your career short, no matter how talented you are. It’s just not worth it. You will go *much* further if you’re a great teammate no matter the circumstances. Make being a good teammate be part of your routine. It’s an action that you can practice just like anything else. Your teammates will notice (and hopefully create a great attitude within the team together), your coaches will notice, and this type of behavior will be incredibly important no matter what you decide to do throughout your entire life.
3. Be patient/Stick to the process
Just because you’re not in the spot you want to be in right now, doesn’t mean that you can’t be there eventually. The fact is, things are constantly changing in sports and you never know when you might be called upon to step in and make a difference. *Always* train like you’re the starter and when you get the opportunity to step in, do your best to be as prepared as possible and seize it.
The biggest competition that you will ever have is to become the NEXT BEST version of yourself. Start there, and focus there. Being a great teammate no matter the circumstance will aid you in being the best version of yourself on and off the field. No matter where you go in life you will have to deal with competition, but it’s how you handle it that will separate you from the rest. Bringing important skills to the table and working well with others will make you a valuable part of *any* team that you find yourself on and will help make you successful on and off the diamond.
