Team Culture Archives - Premier Sport Psychology https://premiersportpsychology.com/category/team-culture/ Minneapolis / St.Paul Minnesota Mon, 25 Mar 2024 21:31:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://premiersportpsychology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-Browser-Icon-Thumbnail-1-32x32.png Team Culture Archives - Premier Sport Psychology https://premiersportpsychology.com/category/team-culture/ 32 32 Coaches: Foster an Environment Where Athletes Feel Comfortable Talking With You https://premiersportpsychology.com/2022/12/15/coaches-foster-an-environment-where-athletes-feel-comfortable-talking-with-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coaches-foster-an-environment-where-athletes-feel-comfortable-talking-with-you Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:08:26 +0000 https://premiersportpsychology.com/?p=9347 It’s no secret that a coach has the power to create a lasting impact on the life of an athlete.  Regardless of age, sport, or level, coaches often serve as a beacon in shaping the next generation, both on and off the field. We’ve all had coaches that have left a positive impact on us […]

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It’s no secret that a coach has the power to create a lasting impact on the life of an athlete.  Regardless of age, sport, or level, coaches often serve as a beacon in shaping the next generation, both on and off the field.

We’ve all had coaches that have left a positive impact on us and it’s commonly known that open and honest communication is critical for a coach when building meaningful relationships with athletes…through both the good and bad. Yet many athletes don’t always feel comfortable going to their coach to discuss successes and shortcomings, and some don’t at all. 

With data from over 1,400 athletes ranging from youth and high schoolers to professionals and Olympians, Premier’s Research and Analytics team found that only 20.9% of athletes always talk with their coach about what’s going well and what isn’t. 62% of athletes spoke with their coach on the topic often or sometimes and 17% of athletes rarely or never spoke with their coach about what’s going well and what isn’t.

Talking to a coach about successes and shortcomings could mean on-field endeavors such as certain plays or skills, but also non-sport assets such as relationships and off-the-field experiences. It’s important to remember that each athlete is unique and perhaps has different wants and needs than their teammate across the locker room. It’s also important to remember that each coach has things that make them unique and different coaches find different ways to connect with athletes. Yet at the end of the day, a coach’s ability to foster an approachable, welcoming, and inclusive environment is critical when it comes to building strong team cohesion, regardless of level. 

Struggling to connect with one of your players? Looking for new ways to strengthen team culture? Wanting to make sure you’re doing everything you can to make your team feel included? Here are a few ways to foster an environment where athletes are more likely to discuss successes and shortcomings with you and/or other coaches.  

1. Schedule regular check-ins with your athletes. 

Feedback and instruction in group settings can prove valuable, yet scheduling one-on-one time with your athletes is one of the best ways to foster open communication. Not only do one-on-ones create an environment where athletes are more likely to reflect and communicate, they show the athlete that you’re invested in their growth and development. 

One-on-one’s also create a space for coaches to check in on the wellbeing of their athletes. All athletes (and humans) carry an invisible backpack filled with experiences, values, strengths, and weaknesses and the contents of that backpack shape an athlete’s experience in all assets of sport and life. It’s important to remember that all athletes are humans first and foremost, and that their successes on the field come second to overall well-being and personal development. Communicating this to your athletes is critical and one-on-ones create an excellent opportunity to do so. 

2. Recognize that different athletes respond to different styles of coaching. 

All coaches want to get the most out of their athletes, and being intentional about how you’re communicating with different athletes is one of the best ways to achieve that. While some athletes respond well to intense, hard-nosed coaching, others do not and respond poorly.  Regardless of your coaching style, be sure to communicate that style with your athletes and ask them what they prefer when it comes to being at their best. Showing vulnerability by asking your athletes what they prefer lets them know that you care about their growth and that you genuinely want them to be their best…and that you want to play a part in that. 

3. Acknowledge that different athletes go to different resources for different needs…and that’s okay.

Regardless of your role on a coaching staff, doing everything in your control to foster an inclusive and approachable environment is critical. Yet that doesn’t mean that everything has to go through you. Just like the varying personalities on a team, all coaches have unique qualities that resonate with varying individuals. One athlete may feel most comfortable talking to a certain coach about X’s and O’s on the field while a different athlete may go to that coach to speak about mental health and converse with a different coach about plays on the field. 

One coach does not have to fulfill all the needs of their athletes, yet making sure there are resources available organization/team-wide are critical. Being sure to communicate to your team is essential towards creating an environment where athletes feel that they have the resources to succeed as an athlete and human being. 

4. Take time during chaos to acknowledge and process with your team.

Things can get a bit chaotic for both coaches and players during the season…that’s normal, yet also quite stressful, considering that sport is just one component of an individual’s overall life. Taking time to acknowledge this can help foster a calm amongst the storm. Acknowledging the struggles lets your athletes know that you’re validating their experience and that you care about their worth as a unique individual on the team. Be sure to process emotions with the team in times of stress, but also in times of joy and neutrality to demonstrate that you’re committed to them getting the most out of their experience.

 

 

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The Power Five: Team Support https://premiersportpsychology.com/2022/08/19/the-power-five-team-support/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-power-five-team-support Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:19:27 +0000 https://premiersportpsychology.com/?p=9184 There’s truly nothing more fulfilling than being part of a team that functions as a well-oiled machine. We all know that the value of being on a team transcends wins and losses; between all the long bus rides and team gatherings are adversity-defying moments, character-building experiences, and budding friendships, all of which can serve as […]

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There’s truly nothing more fulfilling than being part of a team that functions as a well-oiled machine. We all know that the value of being on a team transcends wins and losses; between all the long bus rides and team gatherings are adversity-defying moments, character-building experiences, and budding friendships, all of which can serve as puzzle pieces that shape an athlete’s life for decades to come.

The dynamics of a team can truly shape lives…a vehicle for culture, growth, and learning.

Yet in a puzzle, no one piece looks the same…but they all play a critical role in creating a rock-solid final product. The same can be said for the dynamic of a team.

It’s important for athletes to understand the dynamic of their team…their relationship with teammates and coaches, if they feel that their voice is heard, and that their worth is valued as a human being…not just an athlete.

All of that and plenty more is measured by team support.

Team Support, What is it? 

Think of team support like a village; each person in the village presents an opportunity to support an athlete both on and off the field.

“Team support includes the community in which you surround yourself within a team environment,” Premier’s McKenzie Bromback says. “It measures how (those people in your team environment) contribute to your overall mental health and wellness but also performance. Team support can come from teammates, but also from coaches, parents, athletic trainers, and anyone who’s within the community of your team or athletic organization.”

Team support looks different for each person in that community; a trainer could provide physical and emotional support for an athlete with a difficult injury while a senior captain could provide emotional and mental support for a freshman on the college soccer team who has moved from across the country.

Whether it’s a coach staying after practice to work on a jump shot with a player or a parent consoling an athlete after a heartbreaking loss, team support presents itself in different ways…and comes from different people.

“One thing that is incredibly important to know about team support is that not everyone is going to give you the same kind of support,” Bromback says. “Maybe you don’t feel super comfortable being vulnerable about your emotions and mental health to a coach, but maybe there’s another coach or captain of the team that you feel comfortable having that conversation with.”

It’s critical that there’s someone in an organization for athletes to chat with about mental health and emotions; yet just because one coach isn’t that person doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not contributing to an athlete’s support system in a different way.

“On the other hand, that athlete may know that they can get great constructive feedback from that certain coach and that feedback can support their athletic performance,” Bromback says. “Understanding how different people in your team’s community can give you support in different ways is critical.”

A delicious three-course meal isn’t complete with just a Caesar salad and breadstick; it needs eloquent dressing, a delicious steak, roasted potatoes, some fresh fruit, and a scrumptious slice of chocolate cake to make it complete.

Are all the items tasty by themselves? For sure. Yet they truly complete the best possible experience when they’re placed together as a meal.

Team support is the same; an athlete needs support from all different angles and areas of life to be successful in a team setting.

Team Support in Action for an Athlete

An athlete’s level of team support can be showcased through positive and negative experiences, here are a few examples and hypotheticals to help gauge what both positive and negative team support can look like…they might just resonate with you.

The Good

  • Athletes with strong team support feel as if their voice is valued and heard by teammates and coaches, regardless of whether they’re an All-Conference starter or a bench player that receives minimal playing time.  For example, third-string quarterback Richie may spend most of his time on the bench but feels confident going to his coaches and starting quarterback when he notices a unique defensive scheme that their opponent is running because he knows they value his thoughts and will take them into consideration.
  • Winning is fun, but athletes are first and foremost human beings, regardless of outcomes. Athletes who feel strong team support know that they’ll always be valued as more than an athlete, even during competition. Perhaps Susie is going through a difficult situation at home and has a tough game on the field. Her teammates and coaches know this and instead of focusing on the outcome of her performance, they prioritize her human needs, checking in with her and providing emotional support.  This rings true in difficult situations but also applies to positive and neutral ones as well. Even if Jackie is a three-time national champion, her worth as a human being should always be at the forefront of her identity to her teammates and coaches. Athletes are human.
  • Being a part of a team provides opportunities for meaningful relationships. Athletes who experience excellent team support feel a strong connection to their teammates, coaches, and can communicate openly with them because of it. Perhaps Dana is confused about certain play during practice and wants to understand it better. Because she has formed a strong connection as an athlete and human with those in her environment, she’s comfortable admitting that she needs a little extra help and clarification.

The Bad

  • Being the new person in an environment is never easy…it’s even more difficult when you’re not welcomed into the group in a way that acknowledges that you’re new. Athletes with little team support feel a disconnect between themselves and their teammates and coaches. This could originate from a negative experience or lack of inclusivity from the beginning.Doug is a junior in college and just transferred to a new school to play on the tennis team. Instead of welcoming him to the team, inviting him to team gatherings, and getting him up to speed, Doug’s teammates assume he is fine and carry on with business as they did last year. In addition, Doug’s new coach chews him out on the first day of practice before evening getting to know him as a person.Given the sequence of events, Doug now feels like he’s on an island compared to his teammates and is intimidated to go to his coach for advice because of the negative experience.
  • Again, winning is fun, but it shouldn’t determine how an athlete is perceived as a human by his or her teammates and coaches. Athletes with little team support often feel as if their worth and value on the team is based primarily on results.Lindsey had a great start to her track season but has struggled to maintain those results throughout the course of the year. As her results have declined, she’s noticed that her teammates are talking to her less and that her coach doesn’t provide compliments or feedback to her like they were earlier in the season. For Lindsey, this creates the perception that because she is struggling in competition, her value and worth on the team is less important than other runners who are succeeding.

Tips for Athletes to Improve Team Support

No one person is responsible for meeting every single need that comprises high-quality team support. It takes a village of resources and relationships to foster team support that allows an athlete to flourish.

Yet by helping fill one piece of the puzzle, you can help your entire team environment work towards strong team support for all parties involved. Here are a few ways how.

  • DO model the type of culture that you want to be a part of…regardless of your role on the team. “How you act in a team setting is really important for athletes,” Bromback says. “I tell my athletes that if you want to be a part of great culture and have great team support, you need to model that in your own behavior.”That could mean a senior leader taking time to provide advice to new freshmen on the team, or even helping them navigate life outside of practice. It could be a freshman showing up and working hard at practice while also asking questions to upper class student-athletes. Athletes and Student-Athletes don’t have to be assigned captains to demonstrate positive leadership, both vocally and by example
  • DON’T be afraid to talk and learn from individuals who are new to the team or differ from you. Healthy team environments are often composed of individuals from all walks of life but succeed because team members work together in a constructive way through a common goal of creating a successful, healthy, and collaborative environment.
  • DO create a list of things that are within your control, and things that are not. “You can’t control how your coach behaves, but you do have control over how you act,” Bromback says.A staple in many corners of sport and life, controlling the controllables can be especially impactful for team support. You may not be able to control a coach benching you or a teammate acting poorly, but you can control how you respond to those experiences, and choose behaviors that enable or enhance team support.
  • DON’T feel like your entire worth to the team is based on playing time or results on the field. A strong team culture takes everyone and even those who don’t touch the field as often can play a vital role in helping a team improve.
  • DO check in on teammates as humans, not just athletes. A simple conversation of ‘hey how are you doing today?’ can go a long way in helping a teammate realize that their true self is valued on the team. 
  • DO provide compliments and ideas to teammates during practice, games, and off the field. A simple compliment can go a long way in building confidence and embodying self-worth.

This article is part four of a five-part series from Premier’s Research and Analytics division on unlocking personal performance potential.  Stay tuned for part five.  Read part 1 here.  Read part 2 here.  Read part 3 here.

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Does Your Child Have a Growth Mindset? (And Why It’s Important They Do) https://premiersportpsychology.com/2022/08/04/does-your-child-have-a-growth-mindset-and-why-its-important-they-do/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-your-child-have-a-growth-mindset-and-why-its-important-they-do Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:19:07 +0000 https://premiersportpsychology.com/?p=9154 Little League victories, Pee Wee hockey losses, high school soccer titles, and heartbreaking AAU basketball defeats.  Any of these sound familiar to you? The emotional roller coaster of youth sports teaches children lessons and values that span the spectrum; the joy of learning a new skill, the beauty of developing lifelong friendships, and the foundation […]

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Little League victories, Pee Wee hockey losses, high school soccer titles, and heartbreaking AAU basketball defeats. 

Any of these sound familiar to you?

The emotional roller coaster of youth sports teaches children lessons and values that span the spectrum; the joy of learning a new skill, the beauty of developing lifelong friendships, and the foundation of being part of something bigger than one’s self. 

Those are all incredibly important, yet one of the most valuable growth opportunities to come from youth sports is the ability to deal with outcomes…both good and bad. 

Youth sport teaches athletes to win with grace and lose with dignity; sportsmanship, something the world can always use more of. 

Yet dealing with outcomes is much more than showing sportsmanship; there’s an internal side that poses a critical question. 

How does your athlete learn and grow from all outcomes to reach their full potential as an athlete and human being? 

From the highs of pitching a perfect game or winning the state title to the lows of a heartbreaking loss or being cut from the team, every single result and outcome presents an opportunity for your child to grow. 

Perfection doesn’t exist in sport, and youth sports are no exception.  Yet through a strong growth mindset, your child can get the most out of their athletic experience and lead a healthier, more examined life. 

Growth Mindset? Sounds Simple

It sure might, yet living out a strong growth mindset is often easier said than done. 

Growth mindset measures an athlete’s ability to let go of mistakes and practice self-compassion when training and competing, seeing every success and setback as an occasion to get better. 

“Growth mindset is having the mentality that there is always something to learn,” Premier’s Dr. Adam Gallenberg says. “Successes and failures will always be there, so framing those outcomes as opportunities to learn is being growth-minded.”

Dealing with those no-so-great outcomes can be difficult, especially in big moments and pressure-packed situations.  That being said, your athlete’s response to experiences perceived as failures can serve as a gauge to measure growth mindset. 

Let’s use an example.  Bobby rushes a potential game-winning free throw late in the fourth quarter of his high school basketball game.  He misses and sends the game into overtime.  Instead of collecting his thoughts and moving on from the situation, Bobby goes into a flurry of negative self-talk and dwells on how he let his team down in a crucial moment. 

Instead of entering overtime with a fresh slate and positive approach, Bobby is hooked by a disappointment that should now be behind him.  

Individuals with a strong growth mindset find ways to take lessons from their mistakes and let them go.  Dwelling on previous mistakes removes an athlete from the present moment and the task at hand, two things that are essential to success. 

Bobby’s frustration is completely understandable; no one enjoys falling short in the clutch.  Yet failure always provides an opening for growth.  In Bobby’s case, taking an extra moment at the free throw line to collect his thoughts would have increased the likelihood of his success.  He’ll do that next time.  By framing his mistake as an opportunity to get better, Bobby will not only have an easier time moving on from the situation, there’s a good chance he’ll feel calmer, collected, and confident next time he’s faced with a pressure situation. 

Having the ability to reflect on mistakes is important, yet so is acknowledging that those mistakes don’t define your child as an athlete or their worth as a human being.  We all make mistakes, and it’s okay for your child to acknowledge the natural feelings that may arise as a result.  The true anchor of a strong growth mindset is the ability to move on from disappointments and not allow them to hook us.  We’re lifelong learners and even the most painful losses provide an opportunity for your child to grow and flip the page. 

Why Growth Mindset Matters…Especially for Children

Developing a mindset that allows for learning and growth is fruitful for people of all ages, but it is especially critical for children.

Childhood is a time in an individual’s life when they’re engaging in a variety of activities for the first time: school, sports, music, boy/girl scouts, you name it.  These are not only opportunities to learn new skills, but for children to connect learning to joy and improvement.

And while those ventures can be hit or miss, humans often find a lifelong love for learning new skills by broadening their horizons as children, something that former Olympic swimmer and Premier VP of Operations David Plummer believes is a core benefit of a growth mindset.

“The antithesis of a growth mindset is a closed mindset,” Plummer says. “If we’re closed, we’re closed off to learning.  We don’t think we can improve.” 

A child’s growth mindset not only allows for learning new skills, it encourages them to seek new opportunities and try new things. 

“With a growth mindset, not only are we open to the learning, but we’re seeking it out. We’re thinking, how do we get better? How to we find improvements along the way?” Plummer says. 

Externally, that could mean a youth tennis player dipping his/her toes into swimming lessons, or a dance class, because they’re curious to try something new.  Internally, it could mean this tennis player begins taking private lessons because they’re hungry to learn new ways to grow their game. 

In addition to developing a zest for trying new things, a strong growth mindset emphasizes to youth athletes that there’s always room for improvement…even after the race has been won. 

A former Minnesota High School Coach of the Year, Plummer recalls an interaction with a student-athlete who anchored a win in the 2 x 4 medley relay. 

“After they won, I said ‘What can we do to improve?’  He was confused.  ‘But we already won!’  ‘Yes,’ I told him.  ‘But you’re going to complete that race eight more times.’ No one has the perfect race, not even world record holders.  There’s always room for growth and improvement, even after victories.”

Recognizing that there’s always room for improvement is invaluable to one’s development, yet perhaps the most important asset of developing a growth mindset as a child is that it keeps youth in sport. 

So many kids quit sports because they feel as if they’re not good enough. Perhaps they’re ranked low compared to their teammates or have received the confidence-deflating feedback “you’re just not where you need to be” from a coach, trainer, or teammate. 

Those words don’t have to be true with a growth mindset. 

“As coaches and parents, we think we can predict success.  But there’s so much data out there that says we’re bad at predicting who’s going to go pro, or receive a D1 scholarship,” Plummer says.  “A growth mindset helps a kid get through hearing those tough words.  It prevents them from giving up.  If you believe that you can improve, learn, grow, and get better, that’s going to keep that kid in their sport.”

Confidence is everything in sport…and in life.  A growth mindset will not only help your child get through those difficult times on the field but will help foster a confidence that creates a fulfilling, learning-based lifestyle. 

How to Help Your Child Develop a Growth Mindset

Supporting your child as they develop a growth mindset is a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but also one that can be filled with many questions. 

Premier’s Dr. Erin Ayala has some tips to help parents and mentors become the best possible resource for their child’s growth mindset.

  • DO normalize that mistakes will happen in sport and in everyday life, both for you and your child.  Instead of immediately jumping in after a mistake-ridden game to correct your child, ask growth-oriented questions such as “what do you think you did well?” or “is there anything that you would’ve done differently?”
  • DON’T overreact to emotions following an intense game or training session.  While you may have a million things on your mind, jumping right in to provide feedback or analysis can cause athletes to shutdown.  It’s okay to give your child some space after a tough loss. 
  • DO model self-compassion in your everyday life, even in the smallest of moments.  Instead of unleashing negative self-talk on yourself when you lose your keys, frame the mishap as a learning experience.  “Well that was quite an adventure, I know where I’ll put them next time.”  Believe it or not, your child will pick up on this and there’s a good chance they’ll incorporate the learning-based approached when they make mistakes.
  • DON’T let negative thoughts dictate your child’s mindset (or your own).  We’re human; we all have negative thoughts at times.  Instead of trying to fight or change negative thoughts, acknowledge them and let them go.  It’s awfully tough to push a beachball underwater.  By setting it off to the side of the pool, you accomplish the same goal: you move it out of the way.  Respond to negative thoughts in the same way.  Don’t fight them; acknowledge them move them aside.  Use this analogy with your child.
  • ALWAYS remind your child that their worth is not determined by results on the field.  While we cannot always control outcomes, we can control how how learn and grow from each one.

 

This article is part two of a five part series from Premier’s Research and Analytics division on unlocking personal performance potential.  Stay tuned for part three.  Read part 1 here.

To measure your own growth mindset and performance profile, try Premier’s Mindset Assessment.

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The Power Five: Growth Mindset https://premiersportpsychology.com/2022/08/01/the-power-five-growth-mindset/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-power-five-growth-mindset Mon, 01 Aug 2022 21:48:04 +0000 https://premiersportpsychology.com/?p=9148 Wins and losses. Game-winning three-pointers and clanks off the rim. Picturesque pick-sixes and blown coverages that part the Red Sea.  Regardless of age, level, or skill, sport is a journey often determined by outcomes. The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Some of those outcomes result in perceived greatness; Stefon Diggs’ miraculous […]

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Wins and losses. Game-winning three-pointers and clanks off the rim. Picturesque pick-sixes and blown coverages that part the Red Sea. 

Regardless of age, level, or skill, sport is a journey often determined by outcomes. The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.

Some of those outcomes result in perceived greatness; Stefon Diggs’ miraculous catch to send the Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2018, Maya Moore’s incredible 2013 campaign that led to Finals MVP accolades and a WNBA title for the Lynx, and Kirby Puckett’s legendary walk-off homer in game six of the 1991 World Series just to name a few. 

Those are great..but many, if not most outcomes don’t lead to rings, trophies, and front page headlines. 

No athlete will ever be perfect, and that’s okay; imperfection is what makes sport unique, fascinating, and beautiful. Yet how we learn and grow from those imperfect moments creates a well for untapped potential for athletes of all skill levels. 

That untapped potential starts with a growth mindset. 

Growth Mindset?  Sounds Simple

It sure might, yet living out a strong growth mindset is often easier said than done. 

While we cannot control past outcomes in sport, we can control how we react and grow moving forward. A growth mindset is the ongoing perception that every experience, good or bad, presents an opportunity to learn and grow.

Think of it like a roadmap; you’ve probably completed a road trip from point A to point B without any construction, detours, or missed turns. At the same time, you’ve most likely engaged in one that featured head-scratching traffic, missed turns aplenty, and a light show of check engine lights. Positive or negative, good or bad, both trips allow space for reflection, learning, and most importantly, growth for future endeavors. 

Growth mindset measures an athlete’s ability to let go of mistakes and practice self-compassion when training and competing. True colors of one’s growth mindset are shown when outcomes arise, both good and bad. 

“Growth mindset is having the mentality that there is always something to learn,” Premier’s Dr. Adam Gallenberg says. “Outcomes (successes and failures) will always be there, so framing those outcomes as opportunities to learn is being growth-minded.”

Again, sounds simple. Yet dealing with those no-so-great outcomes can be really difficult…especially in big moments and pressure-packed situations. That being said, an athlete’s response to experiences perceived as failures on the court/field/rink can serve as a gauge to measure growth mindset. 

Let’s use an example; Bobby rushes a potential game-winning free throw late in the fourth quarter of his high school basketball game. He misses and sends the game into overtime.  Instead of collecting his thoughts and moving on from the situation, Bobby goes into a flurry of negative self-talk and dwells on ‘how he let his team down’ in a crucial moment as the team prepares for OT. 

Instead of entering overtime with a fresh slate and approach, Bobby continues to dwell on his missed shot, reciting to himself ‘we wouldn’t be here if I would have made my free throw.’ And while that may be true, dwelling on the past does no good for Bobby, his team, or Bobby’s chances of playing well in overtime. 

Individuals with a strong growth mindset find ways to take lessons from their mistakes and let them go.  They focus on what is within their control, and turn the page after unfortunate outcomes. Dwelling on previous mistakes keep an athlete from the present moment and the task at hand, two things that are essential to success. 

Bobby’s frustration is completely understandable; no one enjoys falling short in the clutch. Yet failure always provides an opening for growth– in Bobby’s case, taking an extra moment at the free throw line to collect his thoughts would have increased the likelihood of his success; he’ll do that next time. By framing his mistake as an opportunity to get better, Bobby will not only have an easier time moving on from the situation, there’s a good chance he’ll feel calmer, collected, and confident next time he’s faced with a pressure situation. 

Having the ability to reflect on mistakes to improve and grow on the field is important, yet so is acknowledging that those mistakes don’t define us as athletes or our worth as human beings. We all make mistakes, and it’s okay to acknowledge natural feelings that may arise as a result. Yet the true anchor of a strong growth mindset is the ability to move on from disappointing outcomes. We’re lifelong learners and even the most painful losses, silly errors, and botched plays provide an opportunity for us to grow and flip the page. 

Tips for Improving your Growth Mindset

Awareness is everything when it comes to a strong growth mindset. Being cognizant of one’s thoughts in various situations allows athletes to compete in the present moment and act accordingly when difficult outcomes arise.

“Developing a growth mindset starts with being aware of our thoughts in any given moment and being intentional with practicing this type of awareness,” Gallenberg says. 

Gallenberg even recommends setting random alarms on your phone throughout the day that pop up on your phone and asking yourself, “What’s on my mind in this moment?”

Little things can go a long way in untapping your best growth mindset. Here are a few tips that could help based on our research on athletic performance and overall wellness.

  • Acknowledge ‘imperfect moments’ and try to reframe these imperfections as learning opportunities to search for ways of growth.
    • Ex: Instead of unleashing negative self-talk on yourself after a missed play, think of times that you’ve successfully completed that play and recognize that you have the confidence and capability to execute it successfully once again. 
  • Swap out negative phrases such as “I can’t do this” and “I’m not good enough” for growth-oriented phrases such as “I’m going to overcome this” and “I’m improving a ton at this skill.” A strong growth mindset requires the ability to let go of negative thoughts and treat oneself with compassion, even when expectations aren’t met.
  • Focus on things within your control and let go of things that are not. While you can’t control past results, how your opponent plays, or where you play in the lineup, you can control your attitude, effort, and approach to dealing with negative outcomes.
  • Find mechanisms that work for you when it comes to moving on from mistakes. Some athletes will even use physical motions/mechanisms, such as ‘flushing the toilet’ with their thumb to remind them that it’s important to move on in the moment and reflect on how they can grow from their mistakes.
  • Even in the most stressful situations and moments of the season, be sure to take care of yourself off the playing field. Prioritizing mental health during intense training is critical to a strong growth mindset.
  • Chasing excellence is great, but expecting perfection can cause frustration. Athletes with a strong growth mindset do not expect perfection and are not afraid of failure.
  • Rome wasn’t built in one day. A strong growth mindset emphasizes that growth is a process; Working towards achieving measurable short-term goals will set an athlete up for success in the long run
  • Remember that mistakes will happen, some may even be out of your control. More importantly, always remember that mistakes do not define you as an athlete or human being. 

 

“Power Five: Growth Mindset” is part two of a five part series from Premier’s Research and Analytics division on unlocking personal performance potential.  Stay tuned for part three.  Read part 1 here.

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The Power Five: Five Pathways to Optimized Performance and Mental Wellness https://premiersportpsychology.com/2022/07/27/the-power-five-five-pathways-to-optimized-performance-and-mental-wellness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-power-five-five-pathways-to-optimized-performance-and-mental-wellness Wed, 27 Jul 2022 20:54:56 +0000 https://premiersportpsychology.com/?p=9135 Data-driven. Results-oriented. It’s no secret that the Venn diagram of sport and life has an overlapping middle section filled to the brim with values, lessons, and experiences. The complex relationship between performance on the field and wellness outside of athletic endeavors has been explored by athletes and professionals long before the days of NILs, Gold […]

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Data-driven. Results-oriented.

It’s no secret that the Venn diagram of sport and life has an overlapping middle section filled to the brim with values, lessons, and experiences. The complex relationship between performance on the field and wellness outside of athletic endeavors has been explored by athletes and professionals long before the days of NILs, Gold Gloves, and Super Bowl titles even existed.

And while there have been many leads, advancements, and discoveries, the outcome has been simple (or anything but): far too much information; too much for an athlete to comprehend and translate to results on the field. An all-compassing smorgasbord of theories, ideas, and principles spanning the spectrum with no concrete areas or clusters of commonality or growth. A cluttered mess.

Think of it like the hit baseball film Moneyball. Prior to 2002, the concept of analytics was thought to ‘be the future of baseball,’ yet the application of the data remained unorganized, data-dense, and frankly, sloppy.

That changed when Billy Beane and the 2002 Oakland Athletics used sabermetrics to winnow the mess of measurables down to a single number that accurately projected a player’s on-field success.

The puzzle pieces found their home, results were produced, and the smorgasbord of uncertainly became an eloquent five-course meal.

The same concept has entered the world of sport psychology thanks to Dr. Erin Ayala and the Research and Analytics team at Premier Sport Psychology.

Through the creation of a strategic survey that reflected on data from over 900 athletes, Ayala and her team compiled five concrete categories that bridge Athletic Performance and Overall Wellbeing. With subjects ranging from high school athletes to Olympians and professionals, Ayala’s team consulted with industry leaders in mental health and performance and dug into the data to develop five characteristics that codify the complex relationship between athletic performance and everyday wellness.

“The one thing that’s really important that athletes need to know is that you can’t have sustainable performance without mental health,” Ayala said. “They go hand in hand.  You can’t have one without the other and that was the biggest reason for doing this.”

Success in sport is much more than just a box score, free throw, or game-winning goal; it’s a culmination of traits, lifestyle choices, and skills that create an environment where athletes can prepare for peak performance.

Not all of those skills take place on the court, field, or rink. Here’s a glimpse into the five clusters that act as the glue that seals success in both sport and life.

Growth Mindset

A common phrase tossed around in today’s society, the true measure of a growth mindset revolves around an athlete’s ability to set goals, limit negative self-talk, and demonstrate locked-in focus. Athletes with a strong growth mindset find ways to let mistakes go, practice self-compassion in competition, and limit outside distractions when the going gets tough.

Performance Mindset

Games are won in preparation, not on game day. Performance Mindset looks at psychological skills such as mental preparation for competition, goal-setting, and deliberate and intentional practice. Athletes of all levels are faced with internal and external pressure when competing and those with a strong performance mindset thrive in pressure situations thanks to laser focus and developed skills that help them perform freely.

Team Support

It takes a village. Team Support measures an athlete’s relationship and sense of connection with teammates and coaches. Those who have a strong score in Team Support feel as if they have a voice on their team and that their worth as a human and not just an athlete is appreciated by teammates and coaches.

Wins and losses don’t define people. Character does. Team Support measures how valued an athlete feels in their environment, regardless of how they perform that day.

Physical Wellness

Early to bed, early to rise. An athlete’s routine off the field in everyday life correlates directly to reliable performances on the field. Physical Wellness measures things such as sleep habits, nutrition and hydration, and precautionary measures to avoid injury. Athletes who score high in Physical Wellness make sure to live a balanced lifestyle that includes rest to avoid burnout.

Mental Wellness

It’s awfully tough to compete well when you don’t feel well. Mental Wellness measures an athlete’s ability to speak openly about struggles, self-reflect, and utilize professional mental health resources. More and more athletes have begun to speak out about mental health, and utilizing skills and resources when help is needed has become a cornerstone message in today’s society for both athletes and non-athletes.

Why it Matters

Think of these five clusters as a recipe, a blueprint for success in sport and everyday life. Even if an athlete is thriving in three or four of the five clusters, that missing ingredient or two could cause the athlete to struggle, even in a category that they’ve scored high in.

All athletes have areas of growth in sport or life, regardless of level. A high school soccer player could have an incredible foundation in team support but may struggle with physical wellness. An Olympic swimmer may have physical wellness locked down but could have a dire struggle with team support.

At the end of the day, these five clusters provide a baseline for how athletes can strive for success in all corners of life. The recipe requires a solid foundation in all five clusters, not just one or two.

The good news? Each cluster provides a path of improvement for not only athletes but coaches and parents as well. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we break down each of these categories, what it takes to improve, and how you can elevate your athletic performance while living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Check out the full study here!

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Stanley Cup Playoffs https://premiersportpsychology.com/2017/04/19/stanley-cup-playoffs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stanley-cup-playoffs Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:13:45 +0000 https://www.premiersportpsychology.com/?p=5175 The Stanley cup is the oldest and most revered trophy in professional sports. Originally donated to the “professional hockey club of the dominion of Canada” in 1892, it has since become the crown jewel of the NHL, traveling to the headquarters of each NHL champion since 1958 (Schwartz, 2017). Players not only leave their legacies […]

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The Stanley cup is the oldest and most revered trophy in professional sports. Originally donated to the “professional hockey club of the dominion of Canada” in 1892, it has since become the crown jewel of the NHL, traveling to the headquarters of each NHL champion since 1958 (Schwartz, 2017). Players not only leave their legacies engraved upon the cup, in a tradition unique to the NHL, they are each allowed one day with the cup to celebrate how they please. The cup has traveled to Europe, been used for baptisms, schlepped up mountains, and has even been shared with the winner of the Kentucky Derby (Anderson, 2016). Yet despite its many travels and travails, there are 11 teams who have never won the Stanley Cup.  

So what helps teams and organizations put themselves into a position to raise Lord Stanley’s cup?  One philosophy and contributing factor is infusing an adaptable playing style in high pressure game situations. “What compels adaptability are two things: the skill to notice a gap between where you are and where you need to be to be effective, and the will to close that gap” (Boss, 2016).  It will not solely matter if a team has a head coach that has been to or won a cup before in order to make it there this playoff season.  It is eminently more important a coach makes it a point to tweak lines and game plans based on the strengths of the team members. An example of this is Minnesota Wild’s Bruce Boudreau’s development of an up-tempo attacking style for players like Charlie Coyle and Mikael Granlund who both had career-best totals last season with 42 and 44 points respectively. By using their strengths of speed and agility to their advantage, both players have already surpassed their previous season point totals with flying colors prior to reaching playoffs this season (Dowd, 2017).  

This adaptive mentality can be beneficial for all coaches and players alike. Coaches who know the chemistry of their players/team members can use adaptability as a tool to develop effective game plans for their team’s success. Additionally, when players and coaches work as a cohesive unit, adapting to each other’s strengths and weaknesses, it is then that the team is able to produce optimal levels of performance. Coaches that depend less on one or two of their players and instead adapt and mold players together will be hard to beat.

With all of that being said, coaching takes commitment and hard work-Not only to teach concepts and strategy to the players, but to really learn and understand the environment that each player thrives best in. Whether that means a player performs better with one teammate than another, or he needs the speed ramped up to be more successful, a good coach will do whatever is needed to get all players playing at their best. It may take some compromise along the way, but with the help of careful thought and deliberate change, adaptations will greatly be to the coach’s advantage.  

As the Stanley Cup playoffs begin, I encourage you all to think about ways in which you too can add adaptability into your sports repertoire. Displayed by both hockey players and coaches alike, you will find that team performance is greatly enhanced when each member can play to each other’s strengths, not just their own.

 

References:

Anderson, C. (2016). The 10 Craziest Stanley Cup Celebrations

http://www.goliath.com/sports/the-10-craziest-stanley-cup-celebrations/

Boss, J. (2016). The Most Effective Teams Adapt to Change

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2016/06/07/the-most-effective-teams-adapt-to-change/#6e918ad279b7

Dowd, J. (2017). The Minnesota Wild Will Avoid Its Annual Collapse This Season
http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2017/1/12/14235208/minnesota-wild-will-avoid-annual-collapse-bruce-boudreau-has-team-playing-well-coaching-life-cycle

Schwartz, J. (1997-2017). Legends of Hockey- NHL trophies- Stanley Cup https://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashstanleycup.shtml

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Effective Team Captains https://premiersportpsychology.com/2017/03/09/effective-team-captains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=effective-team-captains Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:23:25 +0000 https://www.premiersportpsychology.com/?p=4852 Derek Jeter.  Tom Brady.  Kobe Bryant.  Three polarizing men that have forever left an imprint on the sports they play.  Regardless of your view on these three individuals, each of these athletes have shown uncommon leadership in their respective roles as team captain. Showing the kind of leadership that has transcended their position, their teams, and […]

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Derek Jeter.  Tom Brady.  Kobe Bryant.  Three polarizing men that have forever left an imprint on the sports they play.  Regardless of your view on these three individuals, each of these athletes have shown uncommon leadership in their respective roles as team captain. Showing the kind of leadership that has transcended their position, their teams, and at times, their sports.  The influence they each have had is remarkable in that they continually made their teammates better when they stepped into the competition.  They modeled excellence in their respective sports while directing their teams toward victory, and it was the influence they possessed that made them such great captains for their teams (Hackman, 2011).  This influence can be broken into three important characteristics: care, courage, and consistency.  It is these three characteristics that make a team captain a great captain and played an important role in Derek Jeter, Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant’s lives of leadership.

Derek Jeter, a retired baseball player for the New York Yankees, has been a leader who shows he genuinely cares.  But what does it mean to care as a leader?  A study done by Lauer and Blue showed that being an effective team captain involves having an overflow of passion for teammates, the game, and competition.  This passion for one’s teammates has an elevated importance to a captain, as one task the captain often partakes of is conflict resolution.  A caring captain will show sensitivity to individual differences between teammates and will present solutions in a positive manner during times of conflict.  This individuality and positivity makes an effective leader, as it involves placing the team’s success before one’s personal desires and needs (Lauer & Blue).  Andy Pettitte, who played alongside Jeter for 13 seasons, said about his commitment, “We play in a city where a whole lot of stuff is made out of what’s going on around us.  The reason why Derek has thrived is because he keeps it simple.  He doesn’t let everything clutter his mind.  He is focused on one thing – to take care of the team’s business.  He continuously pushes everyone around him to focus even during the difficult times.  He often will take the stress upon his own shoulders so the rest of us can focus on playing” (Lennon, 2013).  Pettitte’s sentiments speak to Jeter’s ability to put the team before himself, and to be a source of clarity and discipline when distractions threaten team performance.  Many players, like Ichiro Suzuki, stayed to play with the Yankees, not because of New York or the Yankees, but because of Jeter – a player who cared (Lennon, 2013).

Courage is also a key characteristic among effective captains.  Captains are often seen as the model of excellence in a team because they step up when necessary and are not afraid to compete in the worst situations; they are known to “walk the talk” (Lauer & Blue).  A good captain sets the example for the team by displaying and encouraging the values of the team on and off the field.  Tom Brady did just that during the 2017 Super Bowl.  With the Patriots down by 25 points, Brady pulled his team together and reminded them of why they are playing in the Super Bowl.  He never gave up.  In the fourth quarter with seconds on the clock, he threw a pass into triple coverage.  A decision that he had made on his own after running the clock for 15 seconds and neither of his desired options were open.  An extremely risky pass, tipped by the defense, Brady’s pass was made complete.  Brady is an example of courage as he makes plays with seconds to go that have led his team to many victories (Rohan, 2017).  He is a leader that has been known to be a reliable player, taking the blame for his mistakes and the mistakes of his team.  Brady steps up when necessary even in the most difficult situations on and off the field (Economy, 2017). Matthew Slater said this about Brady in an interview, “We look to him. We have a lot of confidence in him as a player, as a leader, as a teammate, and as a friend. We are thankful he is on our side.” Brady puts a lot of work in to see the success of his team be achieved.

Lastly: Consistency. Consistency is when a captain is holding himself to a high standard, giving it his all in games, and continuing to be caring and courageous when things don’t go their way.  This often causes the individual to become more vocal on and off the court through actions and words (Hackman, 2011).  32,482 career points have given athletes 32,482 reasons to look up to Kobe Bryant.  Yet his example transcends his statistics. (Hansford, 2015).  “There aren’t too many people who understand how you bring it, night after night after night, for all those years at that level, and he is one of the guys who did it,” said coach Greg Popovich.  The consistency that Bryant brought to the court every game was exemplary; he focused on pushing himself and others to be the best version of themselves.  He truly is a man worth recognizing for his love of the game.

Care, courage, and consistency are characteristics that will enhance the influence a captain has on his teammates, and, in turn, lead to success.  These characteristics have created captains who are known to be the glue that holds their teams together while leading their team to victory.

 

References:

Economy, P. (2017, February 4). These 7 Leadership Traits Make Tom Brady the Greatest Quarterback Ever. Retrieve March 2nd, 2017, fromhttp://www.inc.com/peter-economy/these-7-leadership-traits-make-tom-brady-the-greatest-quarterback-ever.html

Hackman, R. (2011, March 1). Do Teams Need Leaders? Retrieved February 27th, 2017, fromhttp://insights.som.yale.edu/insights/do-teams-need-leaders

Hansford, C. (2015, February 16). Kobe Bryant on Leadership: ‘You’re not going to please everybody.’ Retrieved March 2nd, 2017, fromhttp://www.lakersnation.com/kobe-bryant-on-leadership-youre-not-going-to-please-everybody/2015/02/16/

Lauer, L. & Blue, K. Association for Applied Sport Psychology: The 3 C’s of Being a Captain. Retrieved February 20th, 2017, fromhttp://www.appliedsportpsych.org/resources/resources-for-athletes/the-3-c-s-of-being-a-captain/

Lennon, D. (2013, March 30). Those Who Know Him Speak Glowingly of Derek Jeter’s Leadership. Retrieved March 7th, 2017,http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/those-who-know-him-speak-glowingly-of-derek-jeter-s-leadership-1.4961273

Rohan, T. (2017, February 5). The Greatest Comeback Ever. Retrieve March 8th, 2017, from http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/02/05/nfl-super-bowl-51-new-england-patriots-tom-brady-bill-belichick-fifth-super-bowl-ring

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Super Bowl 51 and the Psychology of Losing https://premiersportpsychology.com/2017/02/02/super-bowl-51-and-the-psychology-of-losing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=super-bowl-51-and-the-psychology-of-losing Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:04:48 +0000 https://www.premiersportpsychology.com/?p=4800 Super Bowl season is upon us.  This Sunday, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, the New England Patriots will meet the Atlanta Falcons to determine the 2017 NFL championship.  To the winner will go the spoils: the Lombardi trophy, homecoming parades, changes in team culture, fortifications of team and individual legacies.  To the loser?  Well, that’s […]

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Super Bowl season is upon us.  This Sunday, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, the New England Patriots will meet the Atlanta Falcons to determine the 2017 NFL championship.  To the winner will go the spoils: the Lombardi trophy, homecoming parades, changes in team culture, fortifications of team and individual legacies.  To the loser?  Well, that’s complicated, and something that’s often overlooked.

The virtues of winning are well-established.  We’re conditioned to compete, and culturally, financially and biologically rewarded for winning.  Several scientific studies have shown a direct correlation between winning outcomes and testosterone and dopamine levels in the brain, which enhance both mental functioning and feelings of pleasure and well-being (Huettel, 2014). Researchers state that success and winning shape our brains more than genetics and drugs (Hardman, 2013). Success changes the chemistry of the brain, making you more focused, smarter, more confident and more aggressive.

But, as either the Falcons or Patriots will know only too well Sunday evening, losing just as much a part of competition as winning. The cost of winning, and the many rewards it provides, requires that every competition have a loser—or, in the case of the NFL, 31 of them.  Perhaps no one understands this reality more intimately than Jim Kelly, Hall of Fame quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, who lost four straight Super Bowls from 1991-1994.  “There’s always going to be a major emphasis on winning, because that’s just the way society is. That’s just the way our culture is: That you want to be number one at the end. And if you’re number two, at times, there’s no doubt that number two is looked upon as mediocre, as a person that didn’t achieve it, sometimes as losers” (CBS News, 2013).  Perhaps no one better understands victories, either.  Kelly has twice beaten cancer since retiring from the NFL.

The Super Bowl could be decided by a single kick, catch, coaching mistake, or even the 50/50 shot of a flip of a coin at the beginning (CBS News, 2013). Those seemingly insignificant actions are the fine line that ultimately will separate those who win from those who lose. Duke Neuroscientist Scott Huettel, who’s done much work with professional athletes, states that winning is overrated (Huettel, 2014).

So going into this Super Bowl Sunday, and let’s face it the rest of life, keep this in mind. Some of your biggest victories may stem from being able to stomach your worst losses. Winning is both a great feeling and beneficial to our health, but the work you put in to get there is what builds you as a person. Everyone needs to take a few losses here and there to give us a drive and a purpose to better ourselves and really evaluate our lives; something we might happen to overlook if we always won. Without that, where would we be in life? Afterall, majority of the reasons you continue on is because you’re doing something you love. The way you view any competition is what will define the way you see the reward. Whether you’re an NFL player, a high school athlete, or someone just trying to get through your daily life, you know you can’t win every challenge. It’s what you take from each loss, and even win, is what will shape your motivation for the next challenge.

 

References:

Chase, C. (2017, January 23). Super Bowl LI: The 10 most important things to know about Falcons vs. Patriots | FOX Sports. Retrieved from http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/super-bowl-falcons-patriots-most-important-things-stats-tom-brady-matt-ryan-mvp-012317

CBS News. (2013, February 3). The psychology of winning – and losing – CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-psychology-of-winning-and-losing/

Robertson, I. H. (2012). The winner effect: The neuroscience of success and failure. New York: Thomas Dunne Books.

Huettel, S. (2014). An overall probability of winning heuristic for complex risky decisions: Choice and eye fixation evidence. 125 2: 73-87. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

Hardiman, A. (2013, June 20). Your Brain on Winning | Runner’s World. Retrieved from http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/your-brain-on-winning

 

 

 

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Communication in Play https://premiersportpsychology.com/2017/01/25/communication-in-play/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=communication-in-play Wed, 25 Jan 2017 20:04:23 +0000 https://www.premiersportpsychology.com/?p=4792 Take a minute to think about the various ways you communicate on a day-to-day basis. The first few things that come to mind may be talking, texting, or through some form of social media. Even though most communication is nonverbal, when asked about communication, our instinct is to think about the different types of verbal […]

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Take a minute to think about the various ways you communicate on a day-to-day basis. The first few things that come to mind may be talking, texting, or through some form of social media. Even though most communication is nonverbal, when asked about communication, our instinct is to think about the different types of verbal communication we use. That said, my goal here is not to advocate for the importance of nonverbal communication, but rather to help you think about how both verbal and nonverbal communication and interactions can be optimized in order for teams to function at their best.

Athletes win and lose games because of split-second decisions, and, depending on the sport, their decisions are rooted in the information gained from a teammate, coach, or opponent. Whether it’s a coach yelling to shoot the ball or a teammate waving her arms frantically because she’s open under the basket, communication is one of the most important factors in the success of a team.

Verbal communication is the bedrock of a healthy team. Relationships on the rink, field, and court are built through conversation, a necessary ingredient for team camaraderie and fine-tuning team strategies. Verbal communication amongst a team increases its competitiveness due to enabling more productivity and therefore higher performance (Hanson, 2016).

If we consider verbal communication the bedrock, nonverbal communication is what can take a team to the next level. The nonverbal signs passed from teammate to teammate are frequently a predictor of failure or success amongst the team (Goldberg, 2015). Some of the most common nonverbal signs you see in sports are a flash of an eyebrow, tilting at the torso, or the chin solute. But simply using these to communicate doesn’t result in success. The key is for these signs to be interpreted by teammates the way the athlete intended, and it is that interpretation of the nonverbal communication that can make or break a team (Edwards, 2014).

So how do we increase communication among team members? Step one is to evaluate the goals and values of your team. All players and coaches must be on the same page when understanding the team’s values. This will create a platform for each individual to naturally communicate with one another. Step two is learning how to interpret each other’s communication. As communication is fostered throughout the season you will be able to learn how to interpret each player’s differences in communication (Janssen, 2014). This will grow a close-knit connection between you and your teammates, preparing you for competition.

As you continue to watch or play sports, focus on the verbal and nonverbal communication teams have. Identify ways in which you as a player can improve your personal communication as well as your interpretation of team members’ communication while in competing.

 

References:
Edwards, Vanessa Van. (2014). Body Language in Sports
Goldberg, Jeff. (2015). Sports & Nonverbal Communication
Hanson, Bo. (2016). Importance of Communication in Sports
Janssen, Jeff. (2014). Improving Communication Among Athletes

 

 

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What an “Attitude of Gratitude” Can Do for Your Team https://premiersportpsychology.com/2016/11/17/what-an-attitude-of-gratitude-can-do-for-your-team/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-an-attitude-of-gratitude-can-do-for-your-team Thu, 17 Nov 2016 22:17:26 +0000 https://www.premiersportpsychology.com/?p=4645 With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is the time of year where many of us start to think about what we are grateful for. Maybe it’s our families, our good health, or the win we had last week. Did you know that expressing more gratitude on a regular basis could significantly increase your physical […]

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is the time of year where many of us start to think about what we are grateful for. Maybe it’s our families, our good health, or the win we had last week. Did you know that expressing more gratitude on a regular basis could significantly increase your physical and mental health? Having gratitude has been linked to decreased levels of anxiety, depression, and restless sleep. Grateful athletes have been shown to be more satisfied with their teams, are less likely to experience burn out, and have increased overall well-being. “Feeling like we’re part of a supportive team is fulfilling and motivates us to keep going back,” (Chertok, 2016). This can be felt on all levels of the team–from coaches, to fans, and athletes alike.

How can we promote this “attitude of gratitude” within our teams? There are many ways to show gratitude! Before your next game, have everyone on your team write down three things they are thankful for. By doing this, it not only creates a more positive atmosphere, but also promotes happiness and true enjoyment of the game. You can also reach out every day to a teammate, coach, parent, or friend and express how thankful you are for them. Studies have shown that communicating this gratitude can both strengthen the connection you have and boost moral (Lambert, 2010). By developing deeper connections with teammates and coaches, the opportunities for success dramatically increase. It would also be thoughtful to thank your competitors. Sometimes they may not be your favorite people, but without them, who would push you to be better? The game only goes on if there are others to challenge you. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help teams and individuals reach their full potential, and help them find why they love their sport. As John Wooden said, “If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointment, we would all be much happier.” Show some gratitude today and everyday! You would be amazed at what opportunities open up for you.

 

 

 

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