The Sports Psychology Monthly Minute is. monthly article on some of the latest in sports.

•  •  •

Regardless of age, level or skill—in sport, there are both wins and losses. Game-winning three-pointers and clanks off the rim; picturesque pick 6s (interceptions returned for touchdowns)…and blown coverages that part seas.

Some of those outcomes result in perceived greatness , while others are merely an opportunity for self-reflection, growth and improvement. 

No one is perfect, and that’s okay. Imperfection makes sport unique and fascinating. However, how athletes learn from their mistakes can help them improve greatly over time—regardless of skill level

A growth mindset is the starting point for tapping into your potential. A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and talent are not fixed. It’s the idea that you can learn, change and grow with time, effort and experience. With a growth mindset, failure isn’t seen as an indication that you lack ability; it simply means that you need to try something new or do things differently.

Growth Mindset?  Sounds Simple

Living by a strong growth mindset can be challenging, but it’s well worth the effort.

We can’t control past outcomes, but we can learn from them and use them as a springboard for growth.

Most people have completed road trips without encountering any problems, but at the same time most journeys contain some sort of setback or unexpected events.Both the positive and negative aspects of a trip allow space for reflection, learning and most importantly growth into future journeys.

Growth mindset measures an athlete’s ability to let go of mistakes, be kind and forgiving with themselves when training or competing. The true colors/quality is shown in their actions towards others during such times

Life’s successes and failures are inevitable, but it’s how you frame those outcomes that determines whether or not they will be opportunities to learn.

Again, sounds simple. Yet dealing with those no-so-great outcomes can be really difficult…especially in big moments and pressure-packed situations. That being said, an athlete’s response to experiences perceived as failures on and off the field can serve as a gauge to measure growth mindset. 

Tips For Improving Your Growth Mindset

When it comes to a strong growth mindset, awareness is everything. Being conscious of one’s thoughts in various situations allows athletes to compete in the present moment and act accordingly when difficult outcomes arise—knowing that failure is simply an opportunity for learning rather than something bad or negative.

Little changes can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. Here are some ways to boost performance and personal growth based on our research in athletics.

• Focus on things within your control, let go of things that are not. While you can’t control past results, how your opponent plays, or where you play in the lineup, you can control your attitude, effort, and dealing with negative outcomes.
• Chase excellence but expecting perfection can cause frustration. Athletes with a strong growth mindset do not expect perfection and are not afraid of failure.
• Mistakes will happen, some may even be out of your control. More importantly, always remember that mistakes do not define you.

If you’re looking for innovative, quality, custom uniforms that you and your team can feel confident and excited about, AllTeam Sportswear is your place! We have designers on call to help you design your fully customizable uniform. Call us today at 1-801-900-4005 to design your PROLOOK uniform mock-up!