Mind of Steel
OVERCOMING
the Fear of Failure The Sports Doc - Dr. CHRISTOPHER STANKOVICH www.drstankovich.com
Believe it or not, one of the biggest fears humans have is the fear of failure. This is especially true for athletes, as unlike other careers where performance can go unnoticed, in sports the game ends with an observable winner and loser.
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any people who experience failure feel inadequate, lacking in talent, and even embarrassed. In fact, it is exactly these kinds of worries that can prevent a person from playing his or her best – even before a game has started! What’s fascinating about this discussion, however, is the fact that we don’t have to be afraid of failing, and in fact can actually use failure for future growth and success.
Measure your success within yourself
4 things you cannot avoid in life
While it is true that we regularly compare ourselves to others to see how we stack up, you might be surprised how much better you can improve by setting your own goals that measure your own growth. For example, when playing pool against an opponent you have a lot less control over the outcome than you might think (there’s not much you can do when someone runs a table on you). On the other hand, by setting goals around practicing your own ball runs, drilling spot shots, or keeping track of how many successful safes you can play, you can actually monitor goals that you have much more control over. This type of playing within yourself approach helps with self-improvement, increases motivation, and even tamps down worries of failure.
Regardless of what you do for a living or how good or bad your pool game is, there are four life hurdles you cannot avoid:
Stress Adversity Frustration Failure
Notice that failure in life is unavoidable – for all of us – so why let the fear of failure (something everyone experiences in life) prevent you from playing your best?! Furthermore, make sure to tell yourself if someone is going to beat you, it’s going to be because of their superior play, and not because you beat yourself. Since everyone deals with stress, adversity, frustration, and failure, why not learn how to cope with these things rather than trying to avoid them?
Dr. Christopher Stankovich is a nationally acclaimed expert in Sport & Performance Psychology and the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems. For more information on performance-enhancement products, including the popular “Mind of Steel for Pool Success” conveniently streamed to your phone/pad please visit www.drstankovich.com
8 | Billiards Buzz • October 2021
