1. Focus on Success or what you want to happen instead of failure. Never set goals to avoid mistakes or failure such as to “not strike out.” Always set positive goals, such as to have a quality at-bat and strive for success. Don’t be obsessed with avoiding failure, pain, or embarrassment.

2. Focus on execution, instead of fearing negative results. Fear of failure causes an athlete to focus on outcomes and negative consequences. So your task is to stay grounded in execution in the present moment.

3. Embrace the challenges of competition instead of fearing the consequences of failure. Love the challenges that come with sports such as playing a tight match. Set simple achievable objectives that are positive, such as “play with trust and confidence for 60 minutes.”

4. Simplify your performance, instead of over think your game. Use simple images and performance cues to perform and trust you athletic reactions in competition. Let go of verbal instructions, over-coaching yourself, or over thinking your performance.

5. Perform freer with a less serious mindset. Let go of mistakes quickly. Try less and reduce the stress and mind chatter. Don’t dwell on mistakes or errors. Know that mistakes are a natural part of the leaning process. Learn from your mistakes after the game; don’t analyze them in the middle of the game.

© 2011 John R. Ellsworth, Mental Toughness Coach • Protex Sport (www.protexsports.com)

5 Tips for Coping

with Fear of Failure