It is game day. Sweat is pouring down the sides of the team’s face. They are ready. They have prepared. But so has the other team.
Coming out strong, the other team can’t keep up. The points on the guest side of the scoreboard tick up and the clock tick down. It is over. How could this have happened? The team seemed ready; they should have won.
None of that matters now. It is time for them to move on and get ready for the next game. How can that happen when the feeling of defeat still looms over them? They can use these tips to get back into the game mentality.
No matter the outcome, win or lose, it is always important to keep a positive attitude. Focus on the things that need improvement rather than what was done incorrectly. This sets people up to be more successful. Leading by example with encouragement is also another way to keep a good mentality. Leaders pump up instead than dragging them down with negativity. This is to keep the team fighting and not get down on themselves.
In the show, “Ted Lasso,” when Sam is upset that he missed a tackle on Jamie Tartt, Coach Lasso pulls him over and says, “You know what the happiest animal on earth is? A goldfish. It has a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish, Sam.”
This means mistakes happen, but they have to be shaken off to be able to move on. This can be a very important mindset in sports. If athletes continue to focus on the last loss or the last bad play, they won’t be ready for the next opportunity to score or to win.
Being a member of a team is a big responsibility. Playing sports teaches people valuable lessons for other tough situations they will face in their life. Athletes will not always win the game, pass the test, or get the job they really want, but if they learn to have a good attitude and have a positive mindset, they will set themselves up for success because they will know how to bounce back and keep going.