259 The "I MUST FEEL CONFIDENT" to perform well myth
Oct 11, 2024
Exploring the myth that confidence is mandatory for success, the discussion uses ice baths as a metaphor for performance under pressure. Insights reveal that even elite athletes like Novak Djokovic face doubts, challenging the stereotype of unwavering self-assurance. With 80% of our daily thoughts being negative, the idea of constant positivity is deemed unrealistic. Instead, embracing fluctuating emotions allows athletes to thrive even amid anxiety or fatigue. A key takeaway is that past confidence should not dictate future performance.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Ice Bath Analogy
David Charlton uses his ice bath routine as an analogy for athletes' confidence struggles.
He describes pre-ice bath anxiety, even with routine practice.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Djokovic's Self-Doubt
David Charlton mentions Novak Djokovic's admission of self-doubt and future tripping.
Even top athletes like Djokovic experience these common mental challenges.
insights INSIGHT
Doubt is Normal
Negative thoughts and doubts are normal, even for top performers.
It's unrealistic to expect constant confidence in unpredictable sports.
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In episode 259 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David discusses why thinking that you must feel confident to perform well is unhelpful. He uses getting in an ice bath as an analogy to illustrate the mindset of athletes who believe they must feel confident to perform well. He argues that this belief is unrealistic due to the unpredictable nature of sports. David references Novak Djokovic's admission of getting ahead of himself, highlighting that even top athletes experience doubts. He emphasizes that emotions fluctuate, and athletes often have negative thoughts, with 80% of our daily thoughts being negative. David concludes that acceptance of varying emotions and performance is crucial, as athletes can still excel despite feeling anxious or tired.
Key Learning Points:
Athletes have a tendency to draw on past experiences of feeling confident to predict future success.
The average person has around 70,000-80,000 thoughts per day, with about 80% of them being negative, making it unrealistic to think positive all of the time.
How many times have you played well after a poor warm up or following a disappointing last performance.
Demystifying Mental Toughness