Why do we often replay bad scenarios over and over again in our heads but don’t do this as often for the good experiences? This is because it is easier to remember something that was painful at one point.
See, when things are going good we don’t think anything about it when it’s happening. We could be getting straight A’s, got a compliment from our coach, finally got that PR on a heavy lift, etc. Just end up going about our day, thinking nothing about it. Right when something bad happens, let’s say someone bumped into your car and scratched it. It is easy to flip out, become angry, and keep telling yourself how you could have avoided this. But why? Why flip out over that scratch? You never got in a car accident before, why do you tell yourself, “Why does this always happen to me?” Do you see what I am getting at?
Now, let me tell you a little secret. Successful athletes visualize themselves succeed regularly. Don’t just visualize what went wrong and could have gone better. Visualize yourself doing your best (driving and obeying traffic rules) and succeeding from the situation (being an adult and taking care of the matter). You can do this for anything. Basketball, academics, and other life situations.
Written by:
Sarah Grippi
Basketball Mindset