The #1 key need with athletes is self-talk. Frankly, it’s the #1 issue for all human beings, in business or sports. Let’s talk the sports world.
Self-talk influences commitment and discipline. It influences practice as well as competition. Because we hear everything we say – and because we know that the body follows the mind – if self-talk distracts an athlete in a negative, poor, bad direction, they will never achieve their peak performance.
When I’m working with a team or individual athlete, I ask them to write down the things they say to themselves. In a group I’ll throw out possible negative self-talk and ask for a show of hands. I’ll get an 80% response to: “How many of you say, ‘I suck!’ after a bad race, game, or play?”
Self-talk is a result of not just what we think about ourselves but also what we fear.
“When I fail it means _________ about me?”
It’s a process to untangle negative self-talk. It takes more than just giving an athlete some key positive phrases to begin saying everyday, although that’s an important piece in the puzzle.
As a coach, make sure your talk is where you want it to be for your athletes.
Counter that negative talk anytime you hear it. And even if you don’t hear it, know that it exists, so hit it head on. Admit it. Bring it out from the shadows into the light where it begins to lose power.
Changing self-talk changes the trajectory of our lives.
Recent AHA moment: “You described exactly what happens in my brain. Finally, someone understands! Now what do I do?” – D1 athlete to me after a training