STEP UP TO THE PLATE

Spring is in the air, which means the baseball season is in full swing. Winning in life, as in baseball, is not necessarily determined by how many home runs you hit but by how you respond to the unexpected pitches thrown your way.

Sometimes, you’ll hit it out of the park; sometimes it will be a swing and a miss. The key is to not let one strike (or three) take you out of the game entirely. So, how well do you handle defeat? When mistakes happen, do they derail your performance or sharpen your focus?

Your answer could mean the difference between getting in the zone or ending up in the Red Zone. In times of overwhelm, it’s easy to beat yourself up and send yourself spiraling into feelings of distress. Whether it’s a bad play or a failed assignment, instead of focusing on the cons, I encourage my clients to think of the pros (as in professional athletes) because they make mistakes, too. And when they do, they dust themselves off and try it again.

When you learn to mind your mistakes, you prevent uncontrolled, unresolved, or upsetting emotions from grabbing your thoughts, ensuring you will always be ready for your next at-bat. Here are three pro tips for bouncing back better after making a mistake.

It’s not failure; it’s data.
When mistakes happen, as they inevitably will, use them as a resource to learn from and grow. Consider what went wrong and why, and then think about what you will do differently next time. Building resilience is a strength that is equally important on the field and in the classroom. And more times than not, it is what will score the big points, shift the tone, and help pump up morale.

Be present.
Don’t fall victim to catastrophizing after making a mistake. Self-defeating thoughts like “I am the worst,” “Everyone must hate me,” and “I should quit” will get you nowhere fast. Instead of wallowing, shake it off and choose to be an inspiration to others. Cheer on your fellow team members, lead by example, and have the courage to show them that one error does not define you.

Ask yourself, “What can I do?”
Nothing feels worse than striking out or missing a game-winning catch. You cannot change the past or control the future, but you can change how you approach it. Drop “regret orientation” (the should haves and could haves that like to plague your mind), and instead of focusing on what you can’t do—focus on what you can. What are your strengths? What skills can you tap into next time? What is something that you did well? What’s something you can practice and improve? Taking the time to regroup and refocus after a mistake will help you come back stronger and, ultimately, make you a better team player.

As a sports psychologist, I see the connection between the game of life and the game played on the field on a daily basis. Just as a baseball player has to step up to the plate time and time again, so do we when we encounter adversity in our personal lives. It is important to remember that it is not the mistake that matters but our response to it. Win or lose, training your brain to be resilient after a setback will affect performance outcomes long after the game ends.

Start training your mind to strengthen your performance at EleVive.com.