Keys to Being Confident
When it comes to confidence, visualization is my favorite tool to use. Before game days, I will visualize myself during the game. I will visualize my at bats, being on the field making plays, and being in other situations that I might face. Visualizing myself in the game makes me feel even more prepared because my mind has already been there. Confidence stems from preparation. Think about it. Why not make it easier on yourself by already picturing what happens in your head before you do the real thing? It’s almost like it relieves pressure.
Routine is also key when it comes to my preparation. During the game, before my at bats, before I even get in the on deck circle, I will sit down on the bench and visualize. I make it the time to control my breathing, check in, and be fully in the moment and visualize success.
Focusing on past successes is another way I visualize myself and bring my confidence up. Before games or practices I watch videos of my past hits in games, or great plays I have made. I like to watch myself succeed especially if I had a bad game or just not feeling my best to remind myself to aim toward the success I had in those videos. It is okay to celebrate those feelings of greatness and bring that sense back to yourself to bring into future moments. When I lack videos of myself, I sometimes watch other athletes having success. I like to think of it as if you can admire someone else’s work ethic and success, then to some level you have that attribute in yourself, so draw confidence from that. I like to be inspired by others and visualize myself in their shoes just as successful.
Action Plan:
Remember, if your mind has been there, your body will recognize the situation because it was already in your head. Start to visualize yourself each night before a game. Sit in a comfortable place with no distractions and close your eyes. Think of each at bat and visualize yourself getting a base hit, feel the bat in your hands and the looks of confidence in your eyes and body. See yourself from your point of view, not from the outside looking in. Visualize what your mindset will be when you don’t succeed and how you make the next play on the field or next at bat a better one. Think of positive outcomes and see yourself succeed. Think of yourself in the pressure situations and how you are going to feel. Then take those confident feelings with you on the field.
Write down your routines. Do you have a routine getting into the box? Getting into the on deck circle? Before the game even starts during warm ups? Write down your routines and find what works for you. Practice in the mirror what you want to look like getting into the box. Do you hold your bat a certain way before you step in? Take a practice swing? Make it seem like the real thing and watch what you look like. Watch your body language and ask yourself if you feel confident! You should.
Watch videos of success. Whether it’s you in the video or an athlete you look up to, watch how they succeed and picture yourself in that successful moment. Start having your parents or your friends parents take videos of your at bats, or even at practices. The more you watch yourself succeed or other people succeed, the more inspired you’ll be and aim towards that. Be confident that you can, because you were there once before.
Celebrate your small wins. When watching videos, or even at practice, take note of the things you do well. It’s evidence that you can achieve success. Your confidence will increase when you’re able to say “I can do this. Here is the evidence”. Keep an achievement log or an album in your phone of videos or pictures of your achievements. Make a highlight reel if you know how! Having an album on my phone with videos of hits in games I’ve had or great plays I’ve made helps me gain confidence.
List reasons why you should be confident in yourself. If you write them down, you can always go back to that list if you’re feeling down. These are good reminders to look at how you think of yourself in a positive way and then act in that way. EX: “I am a great leader”. Looking at what you wrote will remind you, so put them in a place you will see. Come up with something and write it underneath your visor, on your glove, or on your cleats.
