Tips for Managing Negative Thinking

Negative thinking can cripple your ability in sports. I operate on a very simple, but powerful, principle:  Performance = Potential – Interference That is, your peak performance can be reached, when there is no interference that is hindering your true potential.  That is true for athletics, performances, competitions, business; really overall life in general.

One major contributor to the mental barriers, is negative thoughts.  You can take some comfort in knowing that athletes of all levels deal with negative thinking; worry, fears, and stress.  But, knowing you are not the only one really doesn’t do much to help you conquer your own thoughts. You need a plan, and you need more than just the typical “believe in yourself” kind of advice.  So, here are two of my top tips for dealing with negative thinking.

1 – Win in advance

Before you even step onto the field, mat, court, rink, course, etc., take a moment and realize what your senses are taking in.  When your brain is in default mode, it is running wild and thinking of all the stressors that are seemingly around you. The game, the plays, the coach, even mistakes you might make.  It opens the door to negative thinking and images.

Instead, take conscious control over your thoughts and really take in what you are experiencing in that moment.  Go through each sense. Notice what you are seeing; the small vivid details. Then, what are you hearing around you, and even within you.  Then, go through what you are feeling; the temperature, the way your hands feel, the way you are breathing, or how the ground feels against your feet.  If needed, you can even take a moment to notice what you are tasting and smelling. As strange as this seems, this can replace your destructive negative thoughts with useful, non-destructive thoughts.  

2 – Bring back the love

In individual sessions, I always make a point to understand why an athlete enjoys a certain sport.  It usually starts with something general like, “it’s fun”. But, if you were to take a moment and really think of specific, detailed things that you really love about your sport, what would you come up with?  Is it the excitement of hearing a crowd cheer? Or, maybe the way the field smells and feels as you run on it? Observe what you really enjoy, and take a moment to take those in.

Focusing on what you love about your sport, and why you play it, is powerful.  Not only will it quickly replace the useless negative thoughts you were previously having, but it will also help put you shift into a flow state (the zone).  You’ll be able to perform at your best much more easily.

The two above tips are powerful examples of ways to eliminate your negative thinking in sports, and bring your A game.  The key to making them work is to be prepared. Know ahead of time when you are going to use them. In fact, can you pinpoint the moments when you know negative thinking is going to creep in?  If so, take time to visualize those moments. Imagine yourself taking the new, appropriate actions, and how much better you are going to perform. Mental skills may seem unique, but they are very similar to your physical skills.  You have to practice them in advance to really reap the full benefit.

Be strong and keep going!

Gregg Pruett – The Mental Toughness Trainer
Columbus, OH

If negative thoughts and beliefs have been holding you back, click HERE to contact me now.  The process starts with a free strategy session to see if working with me could be the answer to your breakthrough!