Help for "Anxiety at the Next Level" Inside
Jan 28, 2023 1:31 pm
Welcome to the weekend,
A common trigger for anxiety is making the jump to the next level. These fears can get in the way as we get stuck in our head and play poorly, just when we need to be playing our best!
Terrible timing.
Remember, you already made the team. So you belong. Now you just have to execute.
I share two suggestions below. And as an additional resource, here is a link to my Success Stories Membership - an online community to overcome obstacles to excellence like performance anxiety.
Enjoy,
Dr. Eddie
Athletes often develop performance anxiety when they make the jump to the next level:
- bench to starter
- JV to Varsity
- high school to college
- college to pro
This timing is important.
As you jump up a level, your investment in your sport increases. You spend more time and money developing your skills. It may become a bigger part of your identity. The stakes are higher and the rewards are greater.
๐๐ป ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐, ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ. And that always increases our anxiety because the more you care about something the more it has the power to hurt you if you don't get what you want. Your mind is designed to point out threats and worry about them.
So the more you care about something, the bigger the threat becomes if you don't succeed, and the more you worry.
This doesn't necessarily mean you aren't ready for the challenge. If you made the team, you belong there. Feel safe in your anxiety as a sign that you are doing something you love, and refocus on ๐ชhat's ๐mportant ๐กow to be your best in the moment.
Anxiety at the next level is something to be accepted, not fixed.
The competition is greater. The threat of losing is greater. It takes more time, effort and skill to earn playing time.
Our anxiety isn't a problem unless we focus on it and get distracted.
Our anxiety tells us where we need to be better. So follow its direction and prepare with greater intensity.
Overcome your performance anxiety (and other barriers)
inside Success Stories Membership today!
***
Dr. Eddie OโConnor
