Article: I don’t want to try new things because I don’t want to mess up and embarrass myself in front of my teammates
Self-doubt is when you don’t have confidence in yourself and your abilities. When your thinking is that you will embarrass yourself in front of your teammates if you try a new skill, you end up having emotions ranging from sadness to sheer terror. These emotions can affect the way you perform hence turning your self-doubt into reality. You may want to try a new game such as volleyball or swimming, but an irrational negative thought in your mind tells you that you are not good enough and your insecurities hold you back from trying. This fixed mindset brings fear of trying and failing instead of working hard on improvement.
In the case scenario of trying a new game or moves, there are different ways that you can use to overcome the fear and self-doubt.
The first one would be to view the defeat and failure in trying a new sport as an opportunity and a challenge for growth. Having a positive growth mindset normally leads to greater success since its associated with the belief that hard work influences the outcomes. When you set your mind on trying a new sport, you can learn from it and you won’t be ashamed. If you make mistakes, that ok as you are learning and getting better.
The second option would be to find a professional coach in the game so that he/she can provide some skills training. If you put in the work, it will show. If for example it's swimming, when you are being trained by a professional coach, you will be more confident and as you spend more time with a skilled coach, you will learn some of the key fundamentals to get better. It does not happen over night and you have to keep putting in the work. Identify the habits of success, the habits of excellence, and the habits of perfection that will make you better.
It is also important to engage in self-talk affirmations statements such as telling yourself “I’m a great athlete in this game and it’s going to be the best game of my life” or visualizing yourself performing exemplary well in the game. (Purdie, 2017). These affirmations will build your confidence in trying new games and also change your mentality to a growth mindset.
Whenever you have self-doubt, immediately say positive things to yourself. Have confidence in your abilities and know that you put in the work to get better. Be tough and Fight ON!
References
Purdie, J. (2017). Growth mindset for athletes, coaches and trainers: Harness the revolutionary new psychology for achieving peak performance. Simon & Schuster.
In the case scenario of trying a new game or moves, there are different ways that you can use to overcome the fear and self-doubt.
The first one would be to view the defeat and failure in trying a new sport as an opportunity and a challenge for growth. Having a positive growth mindset normally leads to greater success since its associated with the belief that hard work influences the outcomes. When you set your mind on trying a new sport, you can learn from it and you won’t be ashamed. If you make mistakes, that ok as you are learning and getting better.
The second option would be to find a professional coach in the game so that he/she can provide some skills training. If you put in the work, it will show. If for example it's swimming, when you are being trained by a professional coach, you will be more confident and as you spend more time with a skilled coach, you will learn some of the key fundamentals to get better. It does not happen over night and you have to keep putting in the work. Identify the habits of success, the habits of excellence, and the habits of perfection that will make you better.
It is also important to engage in self-talk affirmations statements such as telling yourself “I’m a great athlete in this game and it’s going to be the best game of my life” or visualizing yourself performing exemplary well in the game. (Purdie, 2017). These affirmations will build your confidence in trying new games and also change your mentality to a growth mindset.
Whenever you have self-doubt, immediately say positive things to yourself. Have confidence in your abilities and know that you put in the work to get better. Be tough and Fight ON!
References
Purdie, J. (2017). Growth mindset for athletes, coaches and trainers: Harness the revolutionary new psychology for achieving peak performance. Simon & Schuster.