“Winning isn’t getting ahead of OTHERS. It’s getting ahead of YOURSELF.”–Roger Staubach

The world of sports is characterized by the desire to be the best. This means that as a football player, it is important to develop a strong football mind.

Football psychologists have, on the other hand, always sought to explore the art of winning. One of the tactics that football psychologists have studied and found effective is affirmations.

Read on to find out how to write affirmations, how they improve performance and how often you should say them for effectiveness.

Writing Affirmations

The art of writing affirmations is learned over time.

However, there are a few tips you can follow to help you come up with positive and effective affirmations.
• Find a quiet place where you can refocus and concentrate on yourself. Being alone helps you look at and understand yourself more than when you are around other people.
• Counter negative thoughts. As a football player, there are probably negative thoughts you harbor about yourself. This is the time to turn them into positive thoughts and phrases. For instance, if you believe that you cannot maneuver well enough to score, you should tell yourself that I have all the necessary skills to score and I am capable. Using positive phrases helps improve your football confidence.
• Make short affirmations. Affirmations are better when they are brief because they are easy to remember.
• Start your affirmations in the first person. This means that you should start them with I. Affirmations are supposed to be of help to you. Then the actions have to start with you as well.
• Use present tense and do not begin with I want or I need. By writing in the present tense, you affirm the urgency of your desire. By saying you want, you are affirming that you have shortcomings and that is a mindset that you are trying to overcome.
• Create affirmations that will be effective. Psychology in football stipulates that for your affirmations to be effective, you have to believe in them. Your football mental game can only improve if you believe and can act on what you are affirming.

How Often You Should Say Affirmations.

As a football player, you want to boost yourself by regularly saying affirmations. Having a positive mind and thoughts increase your desire and thoughts about football and you will perform better. Footballers who often chant their affirmations turn out to be good sportsmen, unlike their counterparts who do not. To stay ahead, always ensure you say your affirmations whenever you need them.

When You Should Say Affirmations

• When you are losing a game or making too many mistakes. Having positive mindsets is undoubtedly beneficial for the players and coaches.
• Before practice. A positive mindset will keep you in check with yourself. Furthermore, this will boost your confidence in the coach and help get the most of every session available.
• Obtaining an injury is common in the football world but having a negative mindset hampers healing. According to football psychology articles, continuously having good thoughts will help players heal faster.

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