How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 426

“I've done this before. That's why I know I can do this again.”
When we talk about building confidence with affirmations and self-talk,
it is important to look at the link between self-confidence and success.
Certain athletes have been able to build on their confidence through
years of positive thinking and reminding themselves of positive
outcomes brought about by positive affirmations. These are athletes
who do not give up, even though they may be four games behind in a
tennis match or a quarter-mile behind in a marathon.
Tennis great Pete Sampras, who retired in August 2003 after a stunning
career, is one who uses positive affirmations and self-talk to remind
himself that he can conquer an opponent even if he is behind and not
playing well. He will often remind himself that he has been on this court
before, played the same opponent, and now needs to shift gears with
some positive self-talk reminders that "everything is okay."
Kenny Moore, two-time Olympic marathoner, never gave up in the
grueling 26.2-mile race, even though he often experienced pain and
fatigue in the last 4 to 5 miles. He told me over lunch recently, "I often
reminded myself of growing up in Oregon and training on those cold,
wet nights. It was tough, and I know I can work through this experience
as well."
Boosting Belief in your Ability
Most of us don't even realize that we spend a good deal of time talking
to ourselves. We are unaware of this internal dialogue; we just know
that we are feeling some discomfort. Nevertheless, thoughts directly
affect feelings and, ultimately, athletic movement and activity. Negative
thoughts lead to negative feelings, low self-esteem, and poor
performance. How can we turn these thoughts around to create
positive emotions, peak performance, and a belief that we are
consistent winners?
Confident athletes such as Moore and Sampras think positively, use
self-talk to build on their confidence, and believe in affirmations. They
focus on mastering their sports and not on worrying about poor
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