Sports Performance Tip: Positive Mindset

A Positive Mindset or Positive Mental Attitude is critical; I repeat, CRITICAL to being successful in sports. As Winston Churchill said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” It’s true! What is your mindset like when you are about to perform in your particular sport? Let’s take golf for example. So many times I hear my playing partners say, “I always hit the ball in the water on this hole.” Another one I hear is, “I always hit the ball in the trees.” I personally have been guilty of this one…but no more!!!

Our mind is a powerful tool. It will believe what we tell it if we allow it to. If you believe you always hit the ball in the water, you will hit the ball in the water. If you believe you will perform poorly, you will. But, on the other hand, you can train your brain to believe in positive results too. The only problem you have to overcome is you. It has been said that there are three times as many pessimistic terms in the English language than optimistic terms. We grow up hearing the words “don’t do this”, “don’t forget to do that”, “I don’t want to ______”; it’s everywhere. Negative speaking is all around us.

For example: You may hear someone say on the golf course, “Hit the ball down the left side, just don’t hit the ball in the trees.” Well guess what? You are focusing on the tress and you hit it there. Instead, you should say where you want to hit the ball; “Hit the ball down the left side of the fairway to set yourself up for the next shot.” What a difference!

Jack Nicklaus once said, “Golf is 90% mental.” In order to improve your mental game you need to improve your mindset. A positive mindset is much more likely to lead to positive results than a negative mindset. Having a positive mindset, using positive self-talk, etc.; will improve your confidence. All sports are played better when the athlete is confident. Once you allow doubt or skepticism into your mind, you are going to attract the exact thing you are worried about. There is a big difference between the following two statements. Statement 1: “I hope I don’t hit the ball in the water.” Statement 2: “I am going to hit the ball in the fairway.” The goal of both statements is to hit the ball and “be dry”. But the focus of the statements are different; the first statement is focusing on the water while the second statement focuses on the fairway. You need to train your brain to focus on the positive…focus on what it is you truly want. Positive Words lead to Positive Thoughts. Positive Thoughts lead to Positive Attitude. Positive Attitude leads to Positive Results.

This is something that you can practice every day, and in every aspect of life. Try this for a while. Try to speak only in positive terms when it comes to your game, when it comes to your life, etc. I guarantee you it will make a big difference. As you know, people don’t like being around negative people. Be positive. As Dennis Mannering once said, “Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?”

Until the next post…
Make it a successful day!
Coach Steve