{"id":19156,"date":"2024-01-11T10:44:19","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T15:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=19156"},"modified":"2025-06-03T07:45:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T11:45:59","slug":"how-to-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Succeed as an Athlete Despite Adversity"},"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\/2024\/03\/overcoming-adversity.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/overcoming-adversity.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/overcoming-adversity-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=\"The_damaging_power_behind_the_phrase_%E2%80%98to_make_matters_worse\"><\/span>The damaging power behind the phrase \u2018to make matters worse\u2019?<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-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/#The_damaging_power_behind_the_phrase_%E2%80%98to_make_matters_worse\" >The damaging power behind the phrase \u2018to make matters worse\u2019?<\/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-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/#When_you_build_a_case_against_yourself_you_actually_do_%E2%80%9Cmake_matters_worse%E2%80%9D\" >When you build a case against yourself, you actually do \u201cmake matters worse.\u201d<\/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-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/#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-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/#The_Focused_Athlete\" >The Focused Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The phrase \u201c<strong>to make matters worse<\/strong>\u201d further catastrophizes an adverse event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many sports announcers use the phrase to describe an athlete\u2019s or team\u2019s worsening prospects or condition throughout a season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many athletes are stuck in the habit of catastrophizing. They often highlight every bad break, unlucky event, and poor showing as a pre-established excuse for a future loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, \u201cOur team has been battling nagging injuries all year, and one of our best players is out. The last two games we played were our worst games of the year. To make matters worse, we have to play against the top team in the league to advance to the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_you_build_a_case_against_yourself_you_actually_do_%E2%80%9Cmake_matters_worse%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>When you build a case against yourself, you actually do \u201c<strong>make matters worse<\/strong>.\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only does catastrophizing hurt your confidence, it keeps you focused on the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To break out of the catastrophizing mode, you need to focus on solutions. It is important to remember that while you may not be able to change your current circumstances, you do have control over your reactions and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When adversity strikes, focus on your game plan, preparation, and approach for the next competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This solution-based focus is empowering. A <strong>\u201cfocus on solutions\u201d<\/strong> mindset gives you a sense of control and confidence to move forward and compete to the best of your abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philadelphia Eagles started the 2023-24 season with a 10-1 record and appeared to be one of the NFL\u2019s best teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the final month and a half, the Eagles proceeded to fall apart and ended their regular season by losing five of their last six games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eagles finished the season with a record of 11-6. Instead of winning the NFC East crown, the Eagles had to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Wild Card playoff game on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of focusing on the team\u2019s struggles and injuries, Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox chose to remain <strong>optimistic<\/strong> and focus on <strong>solutions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about the team\u2019s declining performance, Cox said he is focused on \u201c<strong>what\u2019s next<\/strong>\u201d rather than \u201c<strong>what has happened in the past<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COX: \u201cWe get to go out and play again next week. You\u2019re speaking on our last six weeks, and I\u2019m speaking on the weekend we have coming up ahead of us. I want to think positive and not negative. It\u2019s a whole brand new season for everybody; no matter what went on in the past, no matter what went on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happened last week doesn\u2019t matter; even what happened yesterday is past. The most important thing you can do is to work towards success <strong>TODAY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of tallying up the negatives against you, look for evidence that supports your success, such as, \u201cNo one can outwork me. I can gain a significant edge with my mental game. I think quick on my feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you look for evidence that supports your chances of success, you will prepare and compete with more confidence.<\/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\/how-to-build-confidence-like-the-pros\/\">How to Build Confidence Like the Pros<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-grow-competition-confidence\/\">How to Grow Competition Confidence&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-preparation-boosts-confidence\/\">How Preparation Boosts Confidence<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Focused_Athlete\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/upcp_product\/the-confident-athlete-audio-workbook\/\">The Focused Athlete<\/a><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\/2019\/08\/focused-athlete-teams-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Focused Athlete Audio and Workbook Program\" class=\"wp-image-19343\" style=\"width:160px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Focused Athlete\u201d audio and workbook program helps you or your athletes overcome distractions and sharpen your concentration during competition. You learn how to get locked in during practice and competition so you can improve and perform better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cFirst, I would like to thank you for the help given to me through your programs, \u2018<strong>The Confident Athlete<\/strong>\u2019 and \u2018<strong>The Focused Athlete<\/strong>.\u2019 I have made tremendous sacrifices though all these years to become a top Olympic Trap shooter but something was missing. This missing part was with my mental game. My scores increased tremendously in record time and others said that I was a different shooter.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>~Marios Kapodistria<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The damaging power behind the phrase \u2018to make matters worse\u2019? The phrase \u201cto make matters worse\u201d further catastrophizes an adverse event. Many sports announcers use the phrase to describe an athlete\u2019s or team\u2019s worsening prospects or condition throughout a season. Many athletes are stuck in the habit of catastrophizing. They often highlight every bad break, unlucky event, and &#8230; <a title=\"How to Succeed as an Athlete Despite Adversity\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-succeed-as-an-athlete-despite-adversity\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Succeed as an Athlete Despite Adversity\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,247],"class_list":["post-19156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-mental-toughness-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When you look for evidence that supports your chances of success, you will prepare and compete with more confidence. 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