Athletic Power of Affirmation

Confidence plays an important part in what and how you do in athletics. If you are not confident in your abilities or your preparation you will have problems with your performance. To be the best at what you want to be, you must believe that you are the best! To be a champion, you must train like a champion, work like a champion, act as a champion and think like a champion. You must believe in your ability and use this belief to fuel your confidence.


How do you develop and keep this "best in the world" attitude? Today many sports psychologists suggest that elite athletes begin a program of affirmations. They say that positive self-statements are a powerful weapon that the athlete can use to combat the destructive self-beliefs and talk that they use in workouts and more specifically during competitions. Affirmations will short circuit negative self-talk.


Athletes can compile a series of "I am" statements that can help focus on their skills in different areas of competition. These statements are nothing more than simply reminders of what you can do.


The "I am" Statement
You may think that making "I am" statements can be a little embarrassing. By saying, "I am the best in the state," when actually, you are playing for a 3rd division team may be hard to believe. But that is okay. Your brain will learn to believe and your body will follow. Look at the French Cup final. Paris St Germain the French champions played a 3rd division side Les Herbieres. Sure they won 2-0 in the end, but the minor side and huge underdogs pushed them the whole way. Stephane Masala the Les Herbieres coach said that he impressed on his players to keep reminding themselves that they were champions. Their performance on the night showed that, despite losing, they were indeed.


Start with ideas that you can readily accept. Then, as you become comfortable with the concept start using statements that you think you are close to reaching. Most experts suggest that the athlete should make statements that are in the present. By saying "I am..." you tell yourself that you have already achieved this goal. If you tell yourself "I will be the best" it places the statement into the future and leaves room for doubt.


"I looked at my affirmations list every night before I go to bed. To be the best in the world you must think you are the best in the world, and I have taught myself to believe that. 'I am in the best shape. I am going to pummel his head. I am going to wear him down.' I know that, say that and believe that, and it becomes true." 
 
Dennis Hall, 1995 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion claims that using Affirmations are statements that build self-confidence and allow you to believe in yourself. Below is a list of general affirmation statements. Read them, select the ones you would like to use, make up some of your own, then incorporated them into your training program. It may take some time to get used to saying the affirmations, but you can train yourself to believe by repeating the statements over and over again.


You can also use these statements to identify areas that you need to work on. As you read your affirmations to yourself, mark the ones you feel are not true. Decide if they need to be true for you to be successful. If they need to be true, then examine your training plan and look for ways to improve in that area.


I am in better shape than anyone. 
My endurance is unbelievable. 
I am focused in competition. 
I train harder that anyone. 
I am going to set a personal best. 
I am in the best shape of my life. 
I am sure. 
I have the best coaching. 
I am getting plenty of rest. 
I have great workouts. 
I have put in more time. 
I am ready. 
My training is just right. 
I am big. I have courage.
I work hard and am smart. 
I have done this before. 
I have a great offense. 
I have a great defence. 
I stay in good position. 
I am in control. 
I battle till the end. 
I wear my opponents out. 
I take advantage of mistakes. 
I have a great strategy.
I am mentally tough. 
I can break everyone mentally.
I am prepared.
I am going to win.
I feel better than ever.
I am confident.
I recover properly.
I am eating right.
I am unbeatable.
I have done the most work.
I have sacrificed the most.
I am strong.
I am fast.
I am the quickest.
I am determined.
I believe in myself.
I feel good.
No one can stop me.
I am totally ready.
My technique is sharp.
I can keep the pressure on.
I never get tired.
I know what to do.
I think clearly.


Write down some of these affirmations and some others that specifically relate to you and your sport. Read them aloud each day! And go and prove you are worthy of them!