Day 19: Positive Mindset Check

Research continuously shows that having a positive training environment is crucial to athletic success. But we all know that sport at times isn’t easy. In fact if it was easy, everyone would be a high performance athlete. Therefore a positive mindset check is a critical mental tool in your mental skills toolbox.

A positive mindset check involves assessing your mental state to identify any negative thoughts and emotions that may be hurting your performance and/or well-being at any given time. Below are some questions you can ask yourself as part of their positive mindset check:

• Am I focusing on my strengths and accomplishments, or am I fixating on my weaknesses and failures?

• Am I using positive self-talk to encourage and motivate myself, or am I putting myself down with negative self-talk?

• Am I confident in my abilities and approach to my sport, or am I feeling doubtful and unsure of myself?

• Am I able to manage my stress effectively, or do I feel overwhelmed and anxious?

• Am I fostering a positive relationship with my teammates and coaches, or am I harboring negative attitudes towards them?

By honestly answering these questions, you can identify areas where you may need to shift your mindset towards a more positive outlook. This check can help you build mental resilience, improve your performance, and enhance your overall athletic experience.

Mindset Checklist

Here's a simple yet effective positive mindset check that athletes can use:

1. Self-Awareness: Reflect on your current state of mind. Are you feeling optimistic, motivated, and confident, or are you experiencing self-doubt, negativity, or stress? Acknowledging your current mental state is the first step in making any necessary adjustments.

2. Thought Patterns: Pay attention to your thought patterns. Are you focusing on potential challenges and failures, or are you directing your thoughts towards your strengths and past successes? Positive athletes actively replace negative thoughts with constructive and affirming ones.

3. Self-Talk: Listen to your internal dialogue. Is your self-talk encouraging and self-empowering, or are you being overly critical or harsh on yourself? Athletes with a positive mindset engage in supportive self-talk that bolsters their confidence and motivation.

4. Visualization: Visualize your upcoming performance. Are you picturing success, executing your moves flawlessly, and achieving your goals, or are you imagining mistakes and setbacks? Positive athletes use visualization to see themselves succeeding, which can enhance their actual performance.

5. Gratitude: Reflect on what you're grateful for in your athletic journey. Focusing on the positive aspects of your training, achievements, and opportunities can shift your perspective and foster a more positive mindset.

6. Goal Alignment: Assess whether your current thoughts and attitudes are aligned with your goals. Are you thinking and acting in ways that support your aspirations, or are you allowing negativity to hinder your progress? Positive athletes ensure that their mindset is congruent with their ambitions.

7. Relaxation and Breathing: Check in with your body's physical sensations. Are you tense, anxious, or stressed, or are you feeling calm and in control? Utilizing relaxation techniques and deep breathing can help maintain a positive physiological state.

8. Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce a constructive mindset. Repeat empowering statements that remind you of your capabilities, strengths, and determination.

9. Reframing Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable, positive athletes see them as stepping stones toward improvement.

10. Focus on the Present: Stay in the present moment. Avoid dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future outcomes. A positive mindset is rooted in the now, enabling you to perform your best at any given moment.

Remember that developing a positive mindset is an ongoing process. Regularly performing this mindset check can help you build the habit of maintaining a positive outlook, enhancing your athletic performance and overall athlete wellness.

Key Take Aways

1. A positive mindset is essential for athletes as it promotes mental resilience, enhances performance, improves mental well-being, strengthens team dynamics, and cultivates resilience in the face of failure.

2. Athletes can use self-reflection to assess their current mindset and identify negative thoughts and behaviors that may be hindering their progress.

3. Positivity boosts self-confidence, improves focus, and allows athletes to unleash their full potential.

4. Focusing on positive aspects of their sport reduces stress levels and improves overall mental health.

5. Athletes with a positive mindset are supportive, encouraging, and display strong leadership qualities, fostering a harmonious team environment.

6. Viewing failure as a stepping stone to success, rather than a roadblock, allows athletes to embrace the learning process and continue pushing towards excellence.

Self-Reflective Moment