Replace Excuses with Affirmations
Usually I can tell from the very first moments of any practice or match if you will have to struggle that day or you'll enjoy it. As a coach, yes our role is to motivate our players but our power and skill of motivation is limited by the Player's desire and Mind set.
In my role as a Tennis Coach and Tennis Psychologist, I've heard many reasons players (adults and juniors) use to explain an unhappy performance and almost all of them inevitably fall into one huge category that I call "excuses." I think nowadays people have become experts in finding better excuses instead of finding solutions. We all have problems in our life and will always have. That's what life is all about: a challenge of resolving problems. That's why Tennis is one the most wonderful Sport for everybody at any age. It teaches you how to challenge and find solutions in seconds while you need to move also. Not like a chess player who has to sit down in air conditioning and take all his time of thinking until he makes the decision. In tennis all the time you have is until the next ball is back on your court. Isn't that fun?!
Try to imagine a life without problems? How could it be? Extremely boring probably! Every self-limiting thought that you employ to explain why you're not playing the best you can to the absolute fullest so you're feeling purposeful, content, and fully alive— is something you can challenge and reverse. You can begin by noticing how these thoughts have been working to hold you back.
Here are some commonly used excuses, as well as affirmations to help you change your beliefs about each of them... and live an excuse-free life, one day at a time, one miracle at a time
Choose Ease Excuse: It will be too difficult. Try This Affirmation: I have the ability to accomplish any task I set my mind to with ease and comfort. I will try to stay relaxed, listen, visualize and do my best.
Have Patience Excuse: It will take a long time and I am not sure that I will be able to do it. Try This Affirmation: I have infinite patience when it comes to fulfilling my goals, my dreams and my destiny.
I Am Deserving Excuse: I don't believe I can make it or I don't deserve it. Try This Affirmation: I will try to do and give 110% of what I am doing in every practice and in every match. I will enjoy every moment of the pain I am going to get.
I Am Strong Excuse: Wow, I will never be able to do it or if I will do it I will die or I'm not strong enough. Try This Affirmation: I have access to unlimited assistance, my strength comes from my connection to my Source of being. Nobody and Nothing can stop me from doing it. Everyday I need to get 1% stronger than the day before.
I Am Infinite Excuse: I'm too old (or not old enough). Before you go to this excuse please check an expert's advice if your goal is realistic. If the goal is realistic then... Try This Affirmation: I am an infinite being. The age of my body has no bearing on what I can do or who I am.
I Have the Time I Need Excuse: I'm too busy. Try This Affirmation: As I uncluttered my life, I go full speed to achieve my dreams. I know my priorities in my life and I don't let others to interfere.
I Am Courageous Excuse: I'm too scared. Try This Affirmation: I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Remember: The Rank is just a number, the day of the match you play the ball.Never Give up! A new ball it will always come! Once you start winning you are in business.
*** I have been asked many times: How do I build confidence to a player? Frequently using nice kind words? Loudly screaming and yelling? Telling them how good they are? Unfortunately, none of them. Let's not forget every player has a feel and conscience of what's going on. That's why my philosophy is to create real match situations and help them to achieve real results. Let's take an example: if one day the practice drill is to hit 20 balls to a specific target, and the player is hitting 15 to 18 balls to the target for 10 drills, notice how the player will start smiling, enjoying the practice, getting more energy and start walking totally different on the court.
I have done it many times, it worked every time, and it always gave results. |
In all my tennis practices I tell my students how to reverse the thinking that is holding them back, and replace excuses with affirmations. Everything in life is the result of "How is Your Mind Set".