{"id":14950,"date":"2022-12-14T22:30:22","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T03:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=14950"},"modified":"2025-06-04T07:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:00:03","slug":"how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recognize and Overcome Self-Doubt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/volleyball-mental-game.jpg\" alt=\"Volleyball psychology\" class=\"wp-image-14040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/volleyball-mental-game.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/volleyball-mental-game-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Often_have_%E2%80%98What_Ifs_Bombarded_Your_Mind\"><\/span>How Often have &#8216;What Ifs&#8217; Bombarded Your Mind?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/#How_Often_have_%E2%80%98What_Ifs_Bombarded_Your_Mind\" >How Often have &#8216;What Ifs&#8217; Bombarded Your Mind?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/#Instead_what-ifs_are_usually_negative\" >Instead, what-ifs are usually negative:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/#You_can_change_the_content_of_your_thoughts_by_telling_yourself\" >You can change the content of your thoughts by telling yourself:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/#The_Confident_Athlete\" >The Confident Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Rarely are what-ifs positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Athletes hardly ever think, &#8220;What if I sink the next shot and win the game in overtime?&#8221; or &#8220;What if I upset my opponent and win the tournament?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Instead_what-ifs_are_usually_negative\"><\/span>Instead, what-ifs are usually negative:&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;What if I choke today?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What if I let my team down?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What if I don&#8217;t qualify for finals?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These internal questions are both confidence destroyers and performance-crushers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even worse are what-if thoughts that occur during a competition, such as &#8220;What if I don&#8217;t land this dismount?&#8221; &#8220;What if I give up a game-winning hit to this batter?&#8221; &#8220;What if I double fault and lose this set?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;What ifs&#8221; are another name for <strong>doubt<\/strong>. When doubt becomes overwhelming, you lose trust in your ability and play it safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is the solution to the what-if problem? The answer is to either change the content of your thoughts or find a way to calm your mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_can_change_the_content_of_your_thoughts_by_telling_yourself\"><\/span>You can change the content of your thoughts by telling yourself:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;What if I win this match?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What if I achieve a personal best?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I&#8217;ve trained hard for this competition. I&#8217;m ready.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Who knows what I can accomplish today.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can calm your mind by applying any number of relaxation strategies: Deep breathing, visualizing staying calm during the competition, listening to slow-tempo music, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The key is to know the strategies that work for you. So you will want to try different strategies until you find the relaxation strategies that feel comfortable for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter the strategies you use, it is your mental game that helps you overcome <strong>doubt <\/strong>and perform under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mental game has been important for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end, Evan Engram. After a game where Engram had 11 receptions, 162 yards, and two touchdowns, Engram was asked about the key to performing at a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ENGRAM<\/strong>: &#8220;<em>Once you learn some things mentally that you can apply on the field or in a profession or whatever you do, you kind of learn how to become mentally trained and use it to your advantage..<\/em>.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a good tool to have. And so as opportunities came, making plays, getting downfield, making plays with the ball in our hands, (yards after the catch) stuff, that confidence goes up&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But also, it&#8217;s important to kind of stay in the moment, stay centered, and focus on your breathing and just be ready for the next play because, a good play or bad play, you want to continue to move on.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mental tools to help you be successful are a necessary component to your performance. The first step to overcoming what-ifs is to determine when these <strong>doubts <\/strong>occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What common challenges or situations cause you to doubt your abilities?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recall past competitions and look for similarities when doubts interfere with your performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do you say to yourself when <strong>doubting<\/strong>? Write these down. Practice refuting each doubt you listed so you can replace it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover the triggers that foster your what-ifs and be ready to rebut your doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-979ef383-5bc7-43ee-b8f9-249663ca1a6c\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-05642731-8752-4dbf-9c18-5cc4d276e821\" class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/tips-to-overcome-self-doubt\/\">Tips to Overcome Self-Doubt<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/what-is-your-self-doubt-comeback-statement\/\">What is Your Self-Doubt Comeback Statement?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-turn-self-doubt-into-confidence\/\">How to Turn Self-Doubt Into Confidence<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-5726d13f-f715-4ca4-8813-2f8a9ebd8bc3\">*Subscribe to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-281f5afb-980b-4c71-9aa0-11d606b5f7c9\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\" id=\"block-94138e75-d591-4645-bb1d-212cf57a8841\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Confident_Athlete\"><\/span>The Confident Athlete <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"Sport Psychology Cds\" class=\"wp-image-15979\" style=\"width:205px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d consists of 2 audio programs that include 14 days of confidence fueling exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me help you put a <strong>stop to the confidence leak<\/strong>. You can learn to have greater levels of confidence in competition than you do in practice by identifying the specific ways you undermine your own confidence and <strong>how to convert your practice confidence into COMPETITIVE CONFIDENCE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Confident Athlete\u201d is a ground-breaking system to teach you how to think like a champion and have ultimate self-confidence every time you step on the playing field, court, track, or course. The confident athletes was <strong>developed for any athlete \u2013 junior to professional \u2013<\/strong>that wants to gain confidence. However, coaches and sports parents can learn how to teach others to perform with ultimate confidence. Use my program if you want to bust a slump or just wanting higher or more consistent levels of self-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0b39f7aa\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-a74417ae gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-confident-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-461ab57c gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Often have &#8216;What Ifs&#8217; Bombarded Your Mind? Rarely are what-ifs positive. Athletes hardly ever think, &#8220;What if I sink the next shot and win the game in overtime?&#8221; or &#8220;What if I upset my opponent and win the tournament?&#8221; Instead, what-ifs are usually negative:&nbsp; These internal questions are both confidence destroyers and performance-crushers. Even worse are what-if &#8230; <a title=\"How to Recognize and Overcome Self-Doubt\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-recognize-and-overcome-self-doubt\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Recognize and Overcome Self-Doubt\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mental tools to help you be successful are a necessary component to your performance. 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