One simple step you can take today to start identifying unhelpful thoughts and reframing them is to ask yourself: Is this true?
Reframing thoughts that hold you back—whether in athletics or any area of life—isn’t easy, but with practice, it can become second nature. At first, it may feel impossible. You might think, My thoughts are my thoughts; I can’t control them. But the truth is, you have more influence over your thinking than you realize. You can recognize and reshape thoughts that don’t support your goals.
If you’re reading this, you likely already suspect that certain thoughts may be keeping you from achieving what you want. So, start small. For the next three days, whenever a negative thought arises—especially about your performance—pause and ask yourself: Is this true? Not just Does it feel true? but Could I swear in a court of law that this thought is undeniably true? Give it a try, and see what shifts.
