Two bad habits that destroy Mental Toughness.

1. Setting strict unrealistic expectations
2. Letting self-doubt run wild

I talk about both of these concepts a ton in my work, as they will hold you back and cripple self-confidence. Here is my conclusion after working with many basketball players:

Strict or high expectations can undermine and suck the life out of self-confidence!

Why do expectations limit your performance? I see expectations as demands you place on your performance. You either achieve your expectations or fail to achieve them.

When you don’t achieve your high expectations, you tend to question your ability that day – either during or after performance.

High expectations set you up for failure before you even start.

Expectations also focus you on outcomes, points scored, blocks made, or games won, which is not the ideal focus.

Here’s a typical example: One of my basketball athletes started every game with the unrealistic expectation to make every shot.

When he missed a shot, he would start to question his mechanics. This led to worry about making enough baskets to score points.

What about self-doubt? Why is doubt a confidence killer?

Doubt is the number one killer to confidence. Pessimistic or perfectionist basketball players tend to hold on tight to doubts, which if left to run wild can ruin your mindset and derail performance.

Some athletes start doubting before they even get in the game or start the competition – “How can we win today against this team, they’re so good?”

However, most athletes struggle with doubt after making a mistake or performing poorly in competition.

When you let doubt run rampant and unchecked, it beats down confidence. Athletes who can recognize doubt and turn it into statements of confidence – can counter the negative influence doubt may have over them, which should be your goal today.

P.S. Learn how to beat self-doubt and perform with ultimate confidence with this elite mental training program.

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The Confident Athlete – Mental Training Workbook/CD Program