The following post is an excerpt from Emotional Aptitude In Sports NOW available through most on-line retailers! Click Here to Order
The beauty of sports is that we “get” to participate…we don’t “have” to participate.
In my experience, optimism is the quickest path to greater achievements. It’s the booster of the rocket ship… Findings prove that optimistic athletes enjoy benefits that their negative counterparts miss out on. Examples include:
- Happiness and Gratefulness
- Physical and Mental Health
- Inner Peace and Calmness
- Confidence and Trust
- Popularity (Sunny dispositions attract others…)
- Complain and Worry Less
- Hopefulness and Openness
Having a growth mindset (Optimistic) requires the willingness to try new solutions. Below are six common scenarios that play out in the minds of many athletes. Athletes have to replace their old pessimistic thoughts with new optimistic thoughts. When the fixed mindset states something negative, the new improved growth mindset should answer with a positive solution to the problem.
Fixed-Mindset: says, “Maybe I don’t have the talent. I shouldn’t waste my time training 100%.”
Growth-Mindset: answers, “Even if lose a bit now, with a customized development plan and effort I can build the skills necessary to succeed.”
Fixed Mindset: says, “Confrontation is so intimidating and frightening. It’s scary and unsettling.”
Growth Mindset: answers, “High-performance sports are confrontational, but it’s not personal, it’s the nature of the environment.”
Fixed Mindset: says, “What if I fail… I’ll be seen by peers, friends, and family as a failure.”
Growth Mindset: answers, “Most successful athletes have failed hundreds of times throughout their career. Failure is a natural part of growth.”
Fixed Mindset: says, “If I fake an injury or don’t try, I can protect my ego and keep my dignity.”
Growth Mindset: answers, “Lying to myself is automatic failure. Where’s the integrity in that?”
Fixed Mindset: says “If I can’t be perfect, there’s no use in trying.”
Growth Mindset: answers, “Champions in every sport are simply excellent not perfect. I’ll shoot for that. Perfectionism is toxic.”
Fixed Mindset: says, “It’s not my fault. The coach doesn’t like me. My parents are pushing me…”
Growth Mindset: answers, “Solutions stem from developing life skills like taking responsibility, persistence, resiliency and better organizational skills. What can I do to progress?”
