When Positive Thinking Doesn't Work

Описание: Obstacle:
Your coach or parents tell you to think positive … but you can’t. You say all the right things like “I’m going to win this match!” and “I’ve done it before, I can do it again”, but in your heart you don’t believe them. The negative thoughts, “I can’t do this” and “I’m not good enough” overwhelm you. Positive thinking isn’t working.

How to Overcome:
Remember that your sport doesn’t care about what you think, only about what you DO. How many times have you thought positively, and performed poorly? It happens because there is no guarantee that a positive attitude will yield a positive performance. You can score with negative thoughts if you execute the skill properly! Trying to think positively can actually be a distraction. If you are wrestling with your thoughts, you are not focused on the game and skill execution. And even if you do improve confidence by thinking positively, then all you’ve really done is make yourself feel better and not necessarily anything that will have you play better. You don’t need positive thoughts, you need action thoughts.

Action Steps:

🥇 Watch my favorite teaching on “What to do when positive thinking doesn’t work” at https://dreddieoconnor.com/when-posit... for free.

🥈 Check out “The Psychology of Performance: How to Be Your Best in Life” at https://www.thegreatcourses.com/dredd... for the entire lecture and 23 other sport psychology lessons that will enhance your performance!