'Stop talking to yourself, you look crazy" Has anyone ever said that to you?

Often, we catch ourselves or someone else has seen us, talking to ourselves or talking out loud when we think we are all alone or no one else is in the room. As an athlete, reminders of the game plan, and speaking words of triumph, or aspirations out loud are necessary. I tell the kids to always talk, talk to your team and talk to yourself. Voicing self-confidence is one step closer to achieving self-confidence.Â
Note: Next time you are watching a professional sport (basketball games, olympics, tournaments, etc), watch the players when they are off the side they are always talking to themselves!
'Say it to yourself and you won't forget it" That's what my coach used to say to me and it works. Self-talk is a great way to stay focused on your goals. Now, I am not suggesting walking around all day and talking to yourself, but when an athlete is in a competition or training session, reminders out loud, talking their way through the next 60 seconds, or reminding themselves of what to do is a great technique!
As I was watching the Olympics, I saw many of the top athletes in the world, muttering words to themselves before their event, focused, reassuring themselves of who they are, and how they got to the biggest stage an athlete can achieve, win or lose.
Self-talk through the process narrows the vision and laser focuses the tasks at hand.Â
Coach Ben.
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