“It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” Bear Bryant

Some self-defeating thoughts can repeatedly play in your mind when you are stressed.

During a competitive football game, when you feel overwhelmed and under-resourced with the problems you face, you tend to fall back on negative behaviors that can feel comfortable but prevent you from focusing on the game with a clear mind.

Stop the Cycle of Self-Defeating Behavior

A self-defeating pattern can become an unpleasant habit indeed, and it is often characterized by the phrases, “I can’t,” “I will never,” and “I’m useless”– among many others that are similar.

These are things that you tell yourself when your football confidence takes a hit.

Unfortunately, this kind of negative self-talk can destroy your mental game.

Deciding to embrace a positive outlook is sometimes no easy feat, as many of the negative things you tell yourself are subconscious.

Getting rid of them takes practice and a commitment.

Mindfulness can be one powerful tool to help you let go of self-defeating thoughts. The next time you are feeling discouraged, find a quiet place to sit and focus on your thoughts. Relax, breathe, and as the thoughts come, let them exit your mind as you exhale. Repeat the process each day. When you let these thoughts flow through you and not dwell on them, you find a way to move forward and have a successful performance.

Manipulate Your Brain to Shake Off Negativity

Your old habits never just disappear, but you can replace them.

In addition to controlling your self- defeating thoughts, you also benefit from building a positive outlook on football and life.

Involvement in these situations gives you rewarding experiences, and those rewards develop your football mental toughness.

If you continuously feel overwhelming thoughts, you can replace them to soothe your emotions. One way to reprogram your mind is by removing your limiting beliefs about yourself and replacing them with more empowering generating beliefs.

Sports psychologist call this “emotional regulation.” And these new habits become stronger as they work repeatedly.

Create a list of all the great things you can do and all your football strengths. Resist the old temptation to beat yourself up and balance the good with the bad. Do not think negatively during this process. Only list the benefits, strengths, and things that you love about yourself. This develops programming to focus on the positives in life.

Yes, you have both strengths and weaknesses. You get to choose what you will focus on. Focusing on your strengths will help you improve your football mental game. The choice is yours.

With practice and determination, you can remove the self-defeating voices from your head, and move forward with ease and enthusiasm than you thought was not possible.

*Download the free mental game assessment and get started on Improving your Mental Game in Football.