A common
theme in the
lives of many
athletes is the
"Fear of
Failure". What
this means is
that the athlete
is often
paralyzed by the
fear that they
might fail. Upon
further
reflection what
I often learn is
that it isn't
the failing
itself that
creates the fear
but the
potential
consequence they
might experience
when they fail.
The consequences
range from being
yelled at,
losing playing
time, the
disapproval or
lecture from a
parent, or
simply getting
singled out by a
coach or another
player on the
team. For some,
failing is not
acceptable
because of the
internal belief
that any form of
failure is
unacceptable and
cannot be
absorbed into a
mindset of
perfectionism.
If you are a
person that is
negatively
impacted by this
common challenge
here are some
thoughts to help
you:
First, it is
impossible to
succeed as an
athlete when you
are tentative,
indecisive, and
flooded with
fear. Playing in
this manner is a
form of
"Failing".
Success begins
when you DECIDE
and COMMIT
yourself to play
fully engaged,
all out, and
without
hesitation.
Second,
understand that
you are the
worst evaluator
of your own
performance.
There is a lot
of information
you are missing
that can shape
your thoughts
about your
performance.
With this in
mind, I would
encourage you to
quit EVALUATING
your performance
and start
LEARNING from
your
performance.
Learning means
that you take
what happens and
stop evaluating
it and start
listening to it.
Learning
requires taking
the emotion out
because it
becomes blinding
and blocks you
from learning.
Third, FAIL
BIG! Putting
yourself out
there and
bringing your
best in the
moment is one of
the criteria for
getting better
and developing
as an athlete.
You are going to
fail, make
mistakes, get
disappointed,
and miss the
mark. None of
these things
mean you are a
failure. They
can be the
lessons you
build your next
success from.
Athletes that
EMBRACE failure,
work through
disappointment
and learn from
their mistakes
grow a deep
confidence that
will not be
shaken over
time.
My challenge
to you is
exchange the
fear of failure
for the joy of
learning. Doing
this will put
the fun back in
the game and
allow you to be
challenged in a
way fear can
never bring. IF
you are a COACH
or a PARENT
reading this,
grow an
environment
where making
mistakes is
expected and
learning is
required. You
will be shocked
at what this
brings out.
Connecting You to Your Unique Genius
Fear of
Failure
