There’s no denying that high levels of confidence are beneficial to athletes. There are examples of performers scoring a goal and then continuing to score as a consequence of their enhanced confidence. After a few tricky spells, a batsman in cricket may begin scoring effortlessly. In individual sports, a tennis player may suddenly acquire confidence after being down two sets. With a smoother technique, a golfer can start to reach the fairway and greens. Given the thin margins in athletics, these are just a few situations when self-confidence can be the difference between success and failure. Below are some of the best ways an athlete can build confidence.
Think positive at all times
Assessing each day (training) and game/competition session might help you build positivity. Assess your own attitude by looking at your accomplishments in terms of skill, practise, and movement. Positive thinking promotes mental and physical well-being. Positive thinking allows the mind’s neuronal pathways to function more clearly and purposefully. When bowling, a bowler, for example, can focus on line and length and utilise positive self-talk to assist them through the motion.
Control the controllable
Maintaining control over the controllable boosts self-assurance by giving you a feeling of direction and concentration. Remember that you do not influence what others believe or do, but you have power over what you accomplish. Several factors in sports might cause athletes to lose sight of the controllable. External influences and circumstances will only impede performance and must be overcome. In team games, for example, there is no need to participate in mind games that are sometimes performed in public.
Mental preparation
Each assignment should be approached to engage the intellect. Mindfulness, visualisation, reflective thinking, positive self-talk, goal planning, meditation, and focus training are a few examples of mental preparation techniques. Find an approach that works for you and utilise it to fuel your inner drive to improve your confidence. There has been plenty of evidence of the use of mental preparation in professional athletics.
Mental preparation is beneficial since it might help with the self-confidence needed to perform. To master routines, a gymnast, for example, will require balance and resilience. The performer might begin to employ practices to assist them in relaxing and execute on the work at hand by participating in mental preparation activities.
Consistency is Key
Because they are consistent and understand the significance of the achievement, successful individuals will gain confidence. Consistency is similar to a habit that develops through time due to conditions encountered. Put it another way, the more you do, the better you get at your job. Elite performers will put in the effort and go to any length to accomplish their ultimate goal. The more we work on a particular skill or habit, the better we get at it, and our confidence grows.
Play for yourself, not others
Social approval is a significant factor in my interactions with the athletes I train. Many sportspeople place too much emphasis on social approval to increase their self-esteem. Some athletes believe that if others admire their athletic accomplishments, it will make them better people. Many think that they will be better people if they can obtain acknowledgement, acceptance, or respect from others through sports.
For many athletes, the need to gain “social approval” from others is a significant source of concern about their performance. If your athlete is like this, they may have a need to be recognised, accepted, respected, or liked by others. They are concerned about performing poorly because it may impact how others see them.
As a result, athletes who seek external acceptance may become worried or fearful of failing in competition. Fear of failing stems from a desire for social acceptability. But there’s more to this story. What happens if your athletes need approval but are unable to obtain it? Does this have an impact on how they feel about themselves as individuals? Yes, for the vast majority of my students! Athletes seek other people’s acceptance to feel better about themselves!
How to Stop Athletes Worrying About Other People’s Opinions
- Assist your athletes in comprehending why they value (sometimes excessively) the views of others. Assist your players in developing self-esteem rather than respect for others.
- Help your athletes stop mind-reading or overthinking about what others might think.
- Help your athletes know who they are on the inside. They should define who the person is first – called self-concept.
- Help your athletes separate self-esteem and performance. Too often, athletes judge themselves on their performance in sports.
For tips on mindfulness and growing stronger mentally, check out our Mindfulness section
