New season, new team, and an optimistic attitude. It’s a ritual that every athlete goes through when beginning a new season or joining a new team.
What do athletes usually go through every start of a new season?
- Fight hard for your playing spot while navigating the dynamics of your teammates.
- Figure out the coach’s teaching style.
- Decide what you need to work on most.
- Put some extra effort in to get in shape and worry a lot.
That last part is optional and definitely not helpful and here’s how to deal with it.
The Problem
Before I give you the solution, let me help you understand where the problem comes from. You see, us humans have inherited from our ancestors the tendency to always look first for what is wrong and where we are lacking.
This was a simple survival mechanism since most of the history of humans is that of constantly struggling to meet basic needs. Those who were able to prepare for problems and self-correct mistakes were the humans that survived.
Being on constant alert for problems was an advantage, but not anymore and especially not in sports. This only leads to performance anxiety or other forms of fear.
Yes, obviously you still want to be self-aware about your skills and abilities and work on the areas of your game where you are weakest. I’m not saying to drop that. What I’m saying is that you have to balance it out and you have to mentally work on creating that balance.
What You Should Remember To Create That Mental Balance:
- Thoughts about our weaknesses come natural.
- Thoughts about why we can succeed have to be conditioned through effort and repetition until it becomes habit.
- We are emotional beings and if you are going to have more thoughts about your negatives, then you are going to have more feelings of anxiety.
- If you have more thoughts about what you are good at and what you’ve done to prepare, then you are going to feel more confident and probably play better.
- If your training and prep has been there pre-season and you do this well, there’s nothing more for you to do!
- You will get your time and you can let whatever happens, happen.
- Worrying and wondering will only hold you back from playing your best in practice and games.
The formula to play your best is: Performance = Potential – Interference
The biggest chunk of that interference is: FEAR
So many athletes get stuck in the old school attitude that all you have to do to get to the next level in your sport is work harder, practice more and figure out how to fix what is wrong with your game. This just isn’t true. There’s another element and it’s ultra-important in hockey, it’s playing in flow.
The Solution
Given the speed of the game and the ever- changing dynamics, the only way you are going to play your best and give yourself the best chance to make it on your new team:
- Get out of your own way (eliminate FEAR) and let your trained body take over while you’re out there.
- Put things in perspective.
- Push yourself because you want to see how much determination you’ve got.
- Go all out simply because you love hockey and let the chips fall where they may.
- Control the controllables.
Craig Sigl,
Mental Toughness Trainer
These tips would only come in handy if you are mentally tough. Would you like to know how you can resolve your difficulties, not just in your sports but also life in general? Take our mental toughness quiz here: www.sportsmentaltoughness.com. We will assess your difficulties for you and help you resolve them in no time.