Sport Psych in Action: How Can I Help My Athlete Manage Their Fears & Mental Blocks?

Hey, everyone! It's Natalie, your fear managing expert, here to provide some guidance to parents of athlete's who are mentally stuck or experiencing a block in their sport. Continue reading to learn tangible tools to being your athlete's ally.

As the parent of an athlete, you know that performing to the best of their ability requires not only physical strength and skill, but also mental toughness. Unfortunately, mental blocks can affect even the most talented athletes, hindering their performance and causing frustration and disappointment. But as a parent, there are steps you can take to support your child in managing these mental blocks and getting back on track.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical strategies that parents can use to help their young athletes overcome mental obstacles and achieve their full potential. 

Tip #1 - Encourage Open Communication

This tip probably seems the most obvious, but it is truly the first step to all other steps. Managing fear is a team effort. When athlete's bottle up their emotions and struggles with fear or blocks, they will often times remain stuck and overwhelmed not sure the direction to take. Encouraging communication may help your athlete speak up and ask for guidance. But I am sure you're thinking, "I have told my child that they can talk to me about anything, but when I ask how their practice was I only get a one word response". Most athlete's are embarrassed they are struggling or stuck. They may even think they are letting you down if they are not performing.

My tip if you notice your child does not open up easily, be vulnerable with them first. Share a time you were really scared or experienced something similar in your sport. When they can relate and learn that they aren't alone and fear is totally normal, they may begin to share their experiences with you, and you will be able to problem solve together!

Tip #2 - Focus on the Process, not the Outcome

In sport we often times think of the outcome, how well we are going to place, and put a lot of pressure to be perfect all the time. Always focusing on the future can lead to mental blocks due to the high demand of success all the time. High demand of success usually leads to increase pressure for skills the athlete may already perform with ease, leading to overthinking or language such as "I can't mess up" , "I have to be perfect" , or "I better not bail on this". This type of language elicit an anxious or nervous response in the body, alerting our fear response, either fight, flight, or freeze. If your athlete is experiencing mental blocks, they are probably experiencing a freeze fear response.

Therefore, if we can focus on present moment controllables such as positive self-talk, skill progression, and stress-management, your athlete will be in good shape!

"Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will" - W. Clement Stone

Tip #3 - Provide Positive Reinforcement

Acknowledging your child's progress is an important step in helping them develop a positive mindset towards their athletic abilities. By recognizing and rewarding their progress, it provides them with a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to continue improving. It also helps them develop a growth mindset, where they view mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than setbacks. This can lead to increased confidence in their abilities and a greater willingness to take on new challenges. By supporting their progress and celebrating their achievements, you can help your child become a more confident and resilient athlete who is ready to perform at their best.

Tip #4 - Seek Out Professional Help

As a former gymnast who struggled tirelessly with mental blocks, spent hours on beam not going for my series, but eventually sought out professional help and managed my fears, I know a thing or two about what works and what doesn't work. If you have tried the three tips above and your child is still struggling and not improving, it may be time to contact us. I have worked with 100s of athletes on managing fears and have watched them return to their sport feeling confident and accomplished. Fear management is challenging, but never impossible. If your athlete is struggling with the "twisties" the "yips" or any other mental block, reach out and schedule an initial consultation to get a jump start on their mental training!

Remember, Not All Athletes Are the Same

Every child is different and may require different strategies to manage their fears. Be patient, supportive, and open-minded as you work with your child to help them overcome their fears in sports. If your athlete needs more help managing their fears visit HERE to book an initial consultation.

How to Stick to Your Goals...Long Term

This is Natalie, Owner of Psych Me Up Consulting, providing you expert guidance on how to stick to your goals for the long haul.

Your Goals Should ALWAYS Be Changing

It's important to understand that achieving your goals is not a one-time event, but rather a process that requires consistent effort and dedication. This means that you must be willing to put in the work, and be patient as progress may not always be immediate. Remember to stay focused on the bigger picture and the reasons why you set these goals in the first place. Keeping a positive mindset and believing in yourself can make all the difference in achieving your long-term goals. With time and effort, you can turn your goals into reality and create a fulfilling life that you are proud of!

How Do I Design a Goal Guaranteed to Succeed?

When it comes to design, setting achievable goals is essential to ensure that your progress towards your ultimate goal is successful. Start by identifying the specific changes you want to make and establish a realistic timeline for completing them. Break down your ultimate goal into smaller steps, and prioritize them based on their importance and feasibility. This will help you focus on what needs to be done first and avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, If your ultimate goal is to become a D1 athlete, what are the yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily steps that need to happen to get you one step closer to your ultimate goal?

How Can I Keep Track of My Progress?

Tracking your progress is always important in sport. Keep a record of your yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals either in a notebook, notes app on your phone, or a document on your computer. Really any place you will have easy access and that is convenient for you. This will help you see your progress and keep you motivated throughout the process. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from others, such as friends, family, or a professional. This can help you refine your goals and ensure that your progress is on track.

Remember to Celebrate!

Remember to celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small they may seem. This will help you stay motivated and keep you focused on your long-term goals. Finally, make goal-setting a part of your daily routine by incorporating it into your lifestyle. This can include setting goals for your health and nutrition, attending goal setting events such as Psych Me Up's Live Digital Events, or using visualization and imagery to see your goals come to life. With these strategies, you can turn your athletic goals into a reality and create a determined mindset that guarantees success.

Sport Psych in Action: Goal Setting 101

This is Natalie, owner of Psych Me Up Consulting, and your goal setting expert providing the ultimate guide to setting realistic and achievable goaals.

Goal Setting 101

In athletic practice, goal setting is crucial. But what is a goal? In simple terms, a goal is a clear statement of what you want to achieve. These can be short-term goals serving as steps leading to a long-term objective.

Why Set a Goal?

The Power of Goal-Setting for AthletesSetting goals is the secret ingredient to an athlete's success recipe. It's like a personalized boost that ignites the fire, provides direction and purpose, and holds them responsible for their progress. Each milestone achieved is a level up, giving them a buzz of excitement and a feeling of triumph!

Brainstorming and Goal Setting

When setting goals, it is essential to ask yourself questions like, "What are my short and long-term dreams?" and "What is my ultimate 'why' in my sport?" Once you have these answers, you can start setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely (S.M.A.R.T) goals.

The S.M.A.R.T. Goal Framework

Cracking the S.M.A.R.T. Code: A Secret Agent Mission to Achieving Your Goals!Each letter in the S.M.A.R.T. acronym acts like a secret agent assigned to help you conquer your goals. 'S' for Specific provides you with precise steps and their corresponding leaders. 'M' for Measurable means setting clear checkpoints to track your progress. 'A' for Attainable determines if your goal is realistic and if you possess the necessary skills to achieve it. 'R' for Relevant acts like a detective questioning why this goal is essential and how it fits into your overall plan. Lastly, 'T' for Timely sets up a finish line to cross, with check-ins along the way to ensure you stay on track.

Finalizing Your Goals

After applying the S.M.A.R.T. framework, finalize your long term and short term goals. Remember, these should be motivating, not frustrating!

Dealing with Setbacks

Remember that setbacks are not a sign of failure, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't be too hard on yourself when things don't go according to plan. Take a step back, reassess the situation, and make the necessary changes to keep moving forward. It's important to stay motivated and focused on your overall vision, even when faced with challenges. With the right mindset and a willingness to adapt, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So keep pushing forward, and don't let setbacks hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Conclusion

Proper goal setting can encourage desired behaviors, guide focus, increase motivation, and instill a sense of accountability. It's not just about the destination but also about the journey and lessons learned along the way.

Next Steps

If you're interested in learning more about sport psychology, consider signing up for the sport psych in action membership, checking out the mental toughness profile workbook, or reading additional blog posts. Natalie also conducts informative interviews and check out her February Live Digital Events, for which sign-ups are open.

Contact Information

For more information, feel free to contact Natalie at Psych Me Up Consulting via phone at 585-626-5469 or email at psychmeupconsulting@gmail.com. You can also visit the website at www.psychmeupconsulting.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

It's All About You!

Remember, the journey is all about you. Your dreams, your goals, your progress. So set those goals, face those challenges, and cheer for every victory, no matter how small!