5 Steps To Overcoming Nerves:
Let’s first start by getting on the record that being nervous is not always a bad thing. All athletes experience feelings before competition that lead to nerves, but more importantly how you react to the feelings or thoughts is what makes the difference in your performance.
“If you have butterflies in your stomach, make sure they are all flying in the same direction.”
1) Process over outcome:
Focus on the factors within your control, which are effort, attitude and aggressiveness. “The past is history, the future is a mystery.and only the present is a gift.” The vast majority of nervousness often originates when athletes are worried about the possible outcomes of the competition. Worrying about outcome based factors are outside of our control in the present moment. A simple effective strategy is to replace the word “worried” with the word “focussed” when these thoughts come into your mind.
2) Develop a very consistent pre-competition routine:
Your exact thoughts, emotions and behaviors right before you compete are the foundations to developing a consistent pre-competition routine. The 4 key components to developing a pre-competition routine are dynamic stretching, deep breathing, an element of fun and sports specific drilling. There are many physical benefits to conducting a consistent pre-match routine to prevent injuries and maximize performance. There are additional mental benefits that will help your mind focus on the specifics of the pre-match routine rather than the factors that are outside of our control.
3) Perspective through principles:
Our greatest warriors throughout history all have commonalities, which include knowing what they believe in and they are willing to die for it. The winning mindset athletes and teams consistently recite the 4 mindset principles before and after every practice and competition, which are listed below:
- I am thankful for the opportunity to compete
- I am aggressive and relentless
- I have no fear of losing or making mistakes
- I will never ever give up
4) Everything is important, but nothing is special:
Whether you are in a competitive scenario in practice, the first round of a competition or the finals of a competition the focus should always be the same. Competing differently against opponents with higher or lesser skill levels will result in developing poor habits. Treating every competition similar by reminding yourself to be thankful for the opportunity to compete and energized to do something you love to do will result in more consistent performances in competition.
5) Completing a daily plan of life:
Maximizing each and every day by writing in a nightly journal to evaluate yourself. There are 4 key components to the nightly examination you will want to include that are listed below:
- 3 ways that you improved today
- 1 thing you could have done differently or better
- 3 things your thankful for
- A resolution for tomorrow
Completing the nightly examination consistently will result in a positive habit that will lead to you attacking each day will gratitude and excitement to become the best version of yourself.
Mindset Makes The Difference!
Written By: Josh Hinze – Winning MIndset Coach