Category: Confidence
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What’s Important Now? A gamer’s mindset.
My partner recently attended a writer’s conference, where I had the pleasure of attending a reception of many esteemed writers. I spoke briefly with a published author about the long process of submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers. Anyone familiar with that world knows how discouraging it can be. Writers send out query after query…
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Training Your Mind Like a Muscle: A Framework for Mental Performance
Athletes do not stumble into strength. They build it through steady work, repetition, and consistency. The same truth applies to mental performance. If you want to perform at your best in any arena, your mind must be trained with the same discipline as your body. At The Mental Barbell, we believe mental skills are not…
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Get the Information, Forgive Yourself, and Play On: Turning Mistakes into Fuel for Performance
Mistakes are not the enemy of athletic performance. They are the raw material of progress. If you want to grow in your sport, you must face the reality that mistakes are not only inevitable, they are essential. They tell you what needs work, they direct your training focus, and they prepare you for future adversity.…
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Your Thoughts Aren’t Facts: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk
Imagine you’re walking down a busy hallway and someone shoulder-checks you as they rush by. No eye contact and no apology. Instantly, your mind jumps to a conclusion: “What a jerk.” You feel tension rising in your chest, frustration in your face, and you carry that irritation into the next few hours of your day.…
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How to Build a Pre-Performance Routine That Works!
You’ve probably seen it before: the basketball player who spins the ball in their hands the same way before each free throw. Michael Phelps slapping his back across his chest while getting ready to race. The lifter who takes the same number of breaths before every attempt. To the outside world, it might look like…
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Talk Like a Champion: How Self-Talk Can Transform Your Game
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I suck at this” or “I can’t do it” during practice or a competition? If so, you’re not alone, but you’re also not doing yourself any favors. The way you talk to yourself directly impacts your performance, whether you are conscious of it or not. What you say in…
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At the Top, Mental Skills Make the Difference
I often begin working with a new team by asking the group ‘How much of your success as an athlete depends on your physical skills versus your mental skills?’ Depending on the age of the groups, I will receive answers anywhere from 50:50, 70:30, 30:70, and so on. A general trend that I have noticed…
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Confidence is King
Athletes can develop and maintain confidence as a crucial skill for success. Confidence involves deep-rooted belief in one’s abilities and potential, requiring realistic goal setting, visualization, embracing failure, seeking support, and consistent preparation. Staying present-minded, positive self-talk, and reflective learning aid in maintaining confidence. These strategies empower athletes to thrive in training and competition.