Please share this with every youth athlete you know!
This is my son Jack in the picture, but I've encouraged all 3 of my kids to read these 28 mindsets, approaches, and affirmations as often as possible:
1. I strive to play well, not to avoid mistakes.
2. I focus on the process (footwork & form), not the outcome (makes & misses).
3. I work on my game during The Unseen Hours.
4. I Play Present and focus on the play right in front me (the one that just happened).
5. I display confident body language, even when I don’t feel confident.
6. I quickly move to the Next Play after a turnover, missed shot, or a bad call.
7. I use encouraging self-talk to coach myself through challenging situations.
8. I focus on what I can control and let everything else go.
9. I trust my abilities, talents, and preparation.
10. I embrace adverse conditions.
11. I am not afraid to fail… it’s part of the process.
12. I acknowledge that how I think affects how I feel and how I perform.
13. I visualize myself playing well before every practice and game.
14. I listen to (and trust) my coaches.
15. I am the teammate I want to play with.
16. I welcome pressure situations because I know I am prepared.
17. I practice (and work out) with the intensity and focus of a game.
18. I am calm when things feel chaotic.
19. I don’t let physical fatigue cause mental fatigue.
20. I am comfortable being uncomfortable.
21. I think like a champion daily. A consistent mind creates consistent performance.
22. I visualize success: I see it, I feel it, and I believe it.
23. I have a consistent pre-practice and pre-game routine.
24. I embrace challenges and obstacles as opportunities.
25. I compete every play and I compete every day.
26. I learn from every mistake and every loss.
27. I work on my mental and physical skills every day.
28. I love hard work and I take pride in doing difficult things well.
NOTE: nearly every one of these mindsets, approaches, and affirmations can be used by adults as well!