Hi again
Many athletes and high performers come to see me because they suffer from doubt and worry due to low confidence in themselves or their abilities. Check out the solution below.
And then I have a fun video for you on the psychology of fans ... if you feel bad when your team does poorly, you won't want to miss this one!
Enjoy the weekend,
Dr Eddie
Confidence is Intimately Tied to Preparation
Some say confidence is the most important mental skill. I say it is a physical skill.
Actually, let me go a step further and say it isn’t a skill at all.
It is a side-effect. A consequence.
Confidence is the direct result of preparation.
Nothing builds confidence more than preparation.
No amount of positive self-talk is going to help your confidence if you are unprepared. Nor should it. That sets you up for over-confidence and failure.
If you truly want to be confident - examine your preparation and ask yourself these specific questions:
- What outcome do I want to be confident about?
- What behaviors do I need to execute to achieve that outcome?
- Can I execute those behaviors consistently at a high level?
- ... If yes, then you will feel confident
- ... If no, plan to develop these skills. Confidence will come with skill development.
If you’re having difficulty getting started or sticking to your goals, I'm available for 1:1 consulting at https://dreddieoconnor.com/telehealth-services/
It's Good to Be a Fan of a Bad Team
Are you a face-painter? (nod to Jerry Seinfeld)
Does your mood go up and down with your team’s performance?
You might be a die-hard fan and wonder, if your team loses frequently, is this helpful? I’m always upset!
The good news is, even if your team is consistently losing, being a fan is good for us. It increases our sense of belonging and community, even if we are commiserating together. There are psychological benefits to being part of a group.
Fair-weather fans may say “we won” and “they lost” to simply bask in the glory of success while protecting and distancing themselves from the pain of loss.
But there is an advantage to being tied to your team through the ups and downs. Imagine the reward of faithfulness when your team finally wins the big one. Ask Cubs fans how they felt in 2016.
Ask me next year when my Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl. There will be tears of unadulterated joy. :-)
... Check out “The Psychology of Performance: How to Be Your Best in Life” at www.thegreatcourses.com/dreddieoconnor for the 20th lesson, “Fan Psychology, Identification, and Violence” and 23 other sport psychology topics that will make you better at what you do!
Praise for "The Psychology of Performance":
Dr. Eddie O’Connor
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