Why Athletes Second Guess Themselves (And How to Stop)
Quick Summary:
- Athletes second guess themselves due to overthinking, hesitation, and fear-driven mental traps.
- Core causes include fear of mistakes, perfectionism, fear of judgment, and lack of trust in preparation or mechanics.
- Mental traps like outcome focus, comparison, trying to control everything, and dwelling on past mistakes amplify second guessing.
- Key strategies include using an in-game resetting routine, setting process-based goals, building a pre-performance routine, and practicing aggressive, mistake-tolerant play.
- Daily mental training—self-talk, journaling, and reflecting on preparation—helps athletes build trust and reduce second guessing over time.