the tuesday transition - issue 40
January 31, 2023: As a mental skills coach, a BIG part of my job is helping players deal with hard things. ALL SORTS of hard things. From feeling frustration with teammates when you know they aren’t giving their all, to dealing with an injury that keeps you sidelined for months. From struggling with consistency game-to-game, to dealing with the pressure of big, built-up moments. From the emotional fallout that can come with getting cut from a team you’ve been on for years, to dealing with a new player on your team that plays YOUR position and plays it WELL.
All sorts of hard things.
I’m not here today to tell you how to get past any of these things (that requires a little more time and attention). I am here today though to shed some light on another aspect of dealing with hard things in soccer. And that is that THIS MOMENT – this hard thing you are currently dealing with right now – actually has potential to unleash your superpower.
Read this carefully: there is SO MUCH VALUE in this hard stuff happening RIGHT NOW, because it puts you in a position where you get to practice working your way OUT of the struggle.
RIGHT NOW. Not 5 years down the line. Right now, before everyone else.
This happening NOW is monumentally more beneficial than this happening in the future. BECAUSE, if you can do this now, if you can work your way through adversity now (instead of later), you literally have a leg up on everyone else. You have developed a superpower.
What is that superpower? It's MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
The mental toughness that you can gain in your current hard situation is actually EXACTLY what will help propel you towards success. How? Well, mental toughness is a CRUCIAL skill that you NEED. Mental toughness is a superpower because you cannot be elite without it.
Here’s the eye-opener. What is the ONLY WAY to get this soccer superpower skill of mental toughness? BY GOING THROUGH HARD SHIT. Excuse my language.
Here’s a great example. Those best players on the top teams? You all know who I’m talking about. Well, think about things this way. Many of them do not get a lot of opportunity to ever develop mental toughness. Putting them at a DISADVANTAGE to those players who have (aka – you, right now, with whatever your hard thing is).
Many of these top, top players are never challenged with adversity (injury and other outlying situations aside) because they have always been the best and haven’t had to fight for their spot. What do you think happens when a player has spent years as the best kid on the best team and then they go off to play college soccer at a top D1 program? Potential rude awakening when they are suddenly surrounded by other TOP players and aren’t the top scorer anymore and now they have to work for their playing time. If players get to this point without ever having to deal with hard things, with struggle, do you think they are super prepared to handle these challenges? THEY ARE NOT.
Circling back to where we started – yes, whatever you are going through right now is hard and isn’t fun, BUT, if you really want to be the best player you can be, this is WHERE YOU MAKE THAT HAPPEN. Whatever is going on, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to stand up for yourself and your development and fight through the struggle and learn the mental skills you need to face the adversity that is NECESSARY if you truly do want to become an elite, top level athlete.
Again, there is SO MUCH VALUE in HARD THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. Not later, but RIGHT NOW
Adversity is absolutely 100% guaranteed to be a part of your soccer journey.Wouldn’t you rather take it on early and learn the skills you need to be your own best inner coach, reframe limiting beliefs, expand your mental game and develop true, strong, deep belief in yourself? The superpower isn’t just the mental toughness to handle hard things, it’s having that mental toughness NOW, EARLY instead of years from now.
Your soccer superpower is you getting ahead of the curve, it’s you GAINING A MENTAL EDGE.
Till next Tuesday,
💎 What I’m digging: I literally couldn’t have been more excited when I woke up today to the news that Weston McKinnie is joining Leeds United!
👩🏽💻 What I’m reading: The reframing of perspective is so good in this post for parents about how to reconnect with your player after a rough day
🎧 What I’m listening to: Oh man, falling behind on my podcasts lately. What have YOU all been listening to? Reply, I want to know what’s good!
Grow your confidence through preparedness.
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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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