Being an athlete comes with various different trials and tribulations. They can come in the form of anxiety, stress, feeling constantly overwhelmed, losses, or anything else that results in negative thoughts. Regardless of the form, your athletic hardship takes, it is important to remember that turning your mindset around is the best way to overcome your difficulties and achieve your goals. Here are 5 ways that you can do to have a champion’s mindset. To do this:
Envision Your Goal
Know exactly what you want to achieve and keep that goal in mind in everything that you do. Dedicate yourself to it so that you are more likely to achieve this. Envisioning your end goal will also help you plan out the appropriate steps that you need to take in order to achieve your athletic goal.
Surround Yourself With Positive Images and Words
Creating a space of positive, powerful imagery and words helps to remind you of your envisioned goal. This also allows you to keep your momentum and motivations high as you work towards it.
Focus Your Attention
Do not be sidetracked by distractions. When working hard towards a goal, it is easy to become overwhelmed. When this happens, distractions from your goal are all the more enticing and tempting, but do not give in! Being distracted and losing your focus only takes you farther away from your goal, the thing that you truly want. Focusing is hard work, but it will be worth it in the end.
Detach From The Outcome
As an athlete, you cannot control the result of a game/ match, other athletes, other people’s perspectives, or your past or future achievements. The only thing you can control is your actions at the moment. Detach yourself from expectations or anxieties about these undetermined answers in order to perform the best that you can at the moment. Instead of looking ahead, look at what you need to do presently such as practicing, working out, breathing, concentrating, etc.
Redirect Your Negative Thoughts
Firstly, it is important to understand that negative thoughts are apart of the process of achieving your athletic goals. Although this is true, negative thoughts should not be focused on, especially if they do nothing in regards to motivating you towards your final goal. When you have negative thoughts, redirect them into something positive and productive towards your goal. For example, if your workout makes you feel terrible, redirect negative thoughts about this pain into thoughts about how it will make you stronger.
Everyone can achieve his or her athletic goals with the proper mindset. If you are having trouble managing your athletic mindset or are feeling discouraged in the pursuit of your goals, visit us at Mindset First for our services in sports psychology. We are sports psychologists in Vaughan servicing the Vaughan, York Region, and surrounding areas for all athletes that need support in achieving their goals with a healthy mindset. For more information or to book an appointment, call us at 905.660.9284.