Performance PressureThe Choices and Personal

Direction

CHOICE to Succeed

I Won’t…I Can’t…I’d Like to…I’ll Try…I Can…I Will

I’ll Try = “But I don’t think I can”

“There is no try, Only DO”Bruce

Lee

To Defeat Pressure Choose the “I Will” Response

• I will give it every thing I got• I will give my best effort• I will succeed• I will overcome

Competence Builds Confidence Preparation

• Prepared to perform Skills

• Capabilities to meet the task

Knowledge• Be confident… Not

just act confident

Self Image We are what we do

Athletes ascribe much of their identity to ‘Success’

Communication with Self Self Talk!

• The most intimate thoughts we have affect our performance

Controlling Thoughts• Self enhancing or self

defeating Control your self talk Positive self talks

• Controls both content as well quality of message

Communication With Ourselves Who runs the show

• Locus of control Perceptions that “I

am running me” are self enhancing

Attributions• Luck or effort

AffirmationTO DECLARE OR STATE SOMETHING POSITIVE

Positive statements about self

We develop bad habits by talking negative to ourselves• Doubting our abilities• Doubting our worth• Doubting probability of

success• Sets us up for failure

Affirmations I Love this ______ I am fast I am durable I feel great I am great at _____

Affirmations The cornerstone of

positive self talk

Time and practice set you up to believe in them

Thought Stoppage Little Voice

• Tells you that you wont win

• That you should quit• That you should take

this play off

Thought Stoppage Learn to recognize

the negative talk and replace it with positive affirmations

Replaces self defeating thoughts

Perception David vs. Goliath

• Rest of army saw a target to big to hit

• David saw a target to big to miss

Glass• Half empty or half

full

Adversity or OpportunityRational and positive perceptions enhance sport

performance