Staying In Control

In sport there is a lot that is out of your control. And it’s easy to get caught up in focusing on all of those things that are out of your control. 

How often do you think about a bad call the ref made? Then it takes your head out of the game and you’re frustrated and playing more aggressively than normal because you are angry and frustrated with the ref. 

Or, how often do you think about what your coach is doing or might do? Instead of thinking about what your role is, you're stressed over what your coach is thinking about your performance. Instead of thinking about what you need to do on the field you're thinking about whether your coach is going to take you out of the game. Which leads to feeling anxious, worried, and tense in the way you play. 

Putting your mental energy into the call the ref made or what your coach is doing (which is out of your control) takes your head out of the game. You aren’t able to focus on what is in your control and what you need to do that will allow you to make a difference in the competition. 

When you focus on the things out of your control you end up wasting your mental energy on things that aren’t going to serve you or help your performance. 

So, let’s look at things that are out of your control: 

• Referees/officials 

• Teammates

• Coaches

• Opponent

• Field quality

• Past 

• Future 

• Weather 

• Spectators/the crowd 

If you look at that list and find that you get caught up in thinking about them during a competition, ask yourself how it affects you? 

Most likely focusing on these things will have a negative impact on your performance. You’ll be in your head. You’ll be two plays behind instead of in the present moment. You’ll be frustrated, angry, distracted, worried. And when you're in this place and your mental energy is being utilized in this way, you aren’t able to perform at your best. 

Whereas, when you focus on the things that are in your control, you are utilizing your mental energy in the best possible way. You are able to stay present in the moment and focus on things that allow you to take action in ways that impact your performance and show up your best. 

Instead of getting in your head, you're in the flow of the game. Instead of getting hung up on a past play, you're thinking about the next one and how you can make a difference. Instead of worrying about the future, you're focused on executing your game plan right now. 

What are things that are in your control in a competition? 

• Attitude 

• Effort

• Preparation 

• Self-talk 

• Reactions 

• Gameplan 

• Work ethic 

Think about what would change for you if you let go of the things that are out of your control and only focused on the things that were in your control. How would you perform differently? How would it change how you show up and the results you get? 

Not only will focusing on what is in your control allow you to show up your best, it allows you to utilize your mental energy in an efficient and optimal way. You won’t waste brain space and power on things you can’t change. Instead you’ll use your brain power and space to focus and make an impact in the areas you’re able to make a difference in. 

If you find yourself caught up in things out of your control, let’s get you out of your head and in the game. Schedule a consultation today!