January 14, 2025: Being aware of how we speak to (or about) ourselves is a really important thing for an athlete. The specific WORDS are the MOST important.
Example: If the best player in the world suddenly started telling themselves that they are no longer good, what would happen? It would impact their game, right? They wouldn’t be playing to their full potential. They would get worse. Guaranteed. 😫
Well, doesn’t that work in the opposite direction, too? 🤔 IT DOES.
We can CONSCIOUSLY choose to talk about ourselves in any way we want – this is something we can FULLY control, believe it or not! It doesn’t always feel like it. I get that. That is because our inner critic wants to take over.
But the truth is that we DO have full control over the words. We just have to decide to DO IT, to be intentional with what we are saying to ourselves.
We want to make sure that our words (both our INNER & OUTER dialogue) align with the identity that we want to have. Whatever we are striving to be, we want our words to line up with THAT.
Here’s what this means: I AM this, not I WANT to be this.
This is an actual tool you can use to help you improve your soccer game. It is especially really good for helping players eliminate hesitation on the soccer field. Let’s try this, what is something you hesitate with in soccer? Now I want you to flip the words, like this:
I challenge for the ball! Not I WANT to be someone who challenges.
I challenge for the ball! Not I WANT to be someone who challenges.
I take lots of shots! Not I WANT to shoot more.
Now say these things over and over again to yourself. As you brush your teeth, as you tie your shoes, as you walk to school, etc. These statements help you SHIFT how you think about yourself. How? Well when you consistently tell yourself WHO YOU ARE (your chosen identity), there’s less resistance when the opportunity presents, it’s not as hard.
When you get into the mindset that you ARE that person, it makes it easier to BE that person.
It might still FEEL like you aren’t the person you are saying you are, and that’s totally OK – this isn’t about how you FEEL. It’s about the words you INTENTIONALLY choose to use. This is a tool and something you can do even if you don’t yet see yourself this way yet.
Because, think about this, I’m allowed to say this, right? “I score header goals in games! I challenge for the ball! I take lots of shots!” There’s no rule against it? CORRECT. I CAN SAY THAT, I’m allowed. And that’s all you need.
Changing our language is a tool to get yourself to do the things you want to do, to be the person you want to be. What would happen if I just started saying it this way? Am I going to be more likely to go for the ball if I’ve been telling myself for months that I go after the ball? YES! It’s not guaranteed for sure, but I’m WAY more likely to do it.
And this folks, is how we start to chip away and eliminate hesitation….🙏⚽️
(Side note – some people do not like to do this, say something to themselves that they feel isn’t true. They think it’s too weird. I get that, BUT wouldn’t it be worth it if it worked? It is a TOOL, a way to get you where you want to go. I’m not asking you to stand on top of a mountain and shout it out to everyone, just say it in your head, nobody will ever know. If you give yourself the chance, you will find it is shockingly effective🔥).
Till next Tuesday,
💎 What I’m digging: An overnight layover in, truthfully, the best airport in the world……
👩🏽💻What I’m reading: Rest is Resistance, a book I’ve had on my shelf for awhile about how napping is an act of standing up to grind culture 🫶🏽
🎧 What I’m listening to: Just started listening to A Touch More, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s podcast. Who else has listened
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Hi everyone! I’m Jenn and I create content to help female soccer players and coaches maximize individual and team potential by developing healthy mindset skills. Join other subscribers and sign up for the newsletter for all my best tips and advice!
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