{"id":19409,"date":"2024-09-12T18:26:16","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T22:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=19409"},"modified":"2025-06-03T06:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:19:20","slug":"how-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"How Athletes Can Use\u00a0Self-Talk for Performance"},"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\/09\/self-talk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/self-talk.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/self-talk-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=\"Can_Your_Self-Talk_Improve_How_You_Perform\"><\/span>Can Your Self-Talk Improve How You Perform?<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-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/#Can_Your_Self-Talk_Improve_How_You_Perform\" >Can Your Self-Talk Improve How You Perform?<\/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-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/#How_can_you_stop_unproductive_self-talk_and_use_self-talk_to_your_advantage\" >How can you stop unproductive self-talk and use self-talk to your advantage?<\/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-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Article\" >Related Sports Psychology Article<\/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-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/#The_Confident_Athlete_Digital_Download\" >The Confident Athlete (Digital Download)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The more poignant question is whether <strong>self-talk<\/strong> affects or impacts competitive play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To determine if <strong>self-talk<\/strong> has influenced your performance, think of previous performances when you completely fell apart in a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What were your thoughts before spiraling downward? Did you mentally beat yourself up over a mistake or tell yourself you have no talent? Did you talk yourself out of beating a higher-ranked opponent or team with a better record? Did you use phrases such as \u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d \u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d or \u201cI will never be able to\u201d?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are forms of <strong>self-talk<\/strong>. If you experienced times when your <strong>self-talk <\/strong>was negative and hurt your performance, then it is easier to accept that positive <strong>self-talk<\/strong> or productive self-statements can enhance performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_you_stop_unproductive_self-talk_and_use_self-talk_to_your_advantage\"><\/span>How can you stop unproductive self-talk and use self-talk to your advantage?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Understand how your <strong>self-talk<\/strong> has impacted your past performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, think of examples in practice or competitions when your <strong>self-talk <\/strong>hurt or helped your performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What was your inner dialogue when you were competing at a high level? What were you thinking when you were off your game or feeling defeated?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Identify game-time circumstances that usually lead to negative <strong>self-talk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing your trouble areas can help you proactively take charge of your <strong>self-talk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. During competitions, recognize when you start thinking negatively or are using self-defeating statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To compete at a high level, you need to take control of your <strong>self-talk<\/strong> before it becomes detrimental to your performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. Have strategies to stop or counter negative self-statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, you need to know how to change your <strong>self-talk<\/strong> and utilize productive, performance-enhancing language to compete at a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Be confident in your ability to implement this mental strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, practice using these strategies so they are easily implemented in competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One example of an athlete taking charge of their <strong>self-talk<\/strong> is Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Bryce Huff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Huff went undrafted in 2020 after a productive college career yet made the New York Jets roster despite criticism that he was undersized and was not projected to be an every-down player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a 10-sack 2023 season, the Eagles signed Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract. What helped Huff become a productive NFL player?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of allowing negative opinions to infiltrate his mind, Huff took control of his <strong>self-talk<\/strong>. Whenever Huff sees his reflection in a mirror, he has a positive conversation with himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>HUFF<\/strong>: \u201cI tell myself who I am. I say, \u2018You\u2019re the best. You can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Huff utilizes these positive affirmations daily to improve his confidence and prevent negative <strong>self-talk <\/strong>from hurting his game. Taking control of your game starts with taking control of your <strong>self-talk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create some affirmations or positive self-statements to build your confidence, such as \u201cNo one outworks me\u201d or \u201cI am a talented and gifted athlete.\u201d The key to gaining confidence from these self-statements and improving performance is to be realistic and positive.<\/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_Article\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Article<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-this-self-talk-hurts-athletic-potential\/\">How this Self-Talk Hurts Athletic Potential&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-self-talk-can-help-you-rebound\/\">How Self-Talk Can Help You Rebound&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/improve-self-talk-to-reach-your-peak-performance\/\">Improve Self-Talk to Reach Your Peak Performance<\/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 has-text-align-left\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Confident_Athlete_Digital_Download\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" title=\"\">The Confident Athlete (Digital Download)<\/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\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"The Confident Athlete Audio and Workbook Program\" class=\"wp-image-19341\" style=\"width:160px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>The Confident Athlete<\/em>\u201d audio and workbook program helps you feel confident before you walk onto the field, track or court. You discover how to have stable and proactive confidence so you can think like a champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cI just finished \u2018<strong>The Confident Athlete Program<\/strong>.&#8217;&nbsp;Improving confidence is a never-ending process. I think that confidence boosting is an awesome area. Having a daily mental plan for mental \u201cwork outs\u201d can turbo charge anyone\u2019s confidence level\u2026. Studying almost all of Dr. Cohn\u2019s mental game materials gives me a real EDGE over my competitions and most importantly \u2013 a boost in my daily life.\u201d<\/em><br>~Radek Sefcik, Peak Performance Sports Customer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-button ab-block-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" class=\"ab-button ab-button-shape-rounded ab-button-size-medium\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#3373dc\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can Your Self-Talk Improve How You Perform? The more poignant question is whether self-talk affects or impacts competitive play. To determine if self-talk has influenced your performance, think of previous performances when you completely fell apart in a competition. What were your thoughts before spiraling downward? Did you mentally beat yourself up over a mistake or tell yourself &#8230; <a title=\"How Athletes Can Use\u00a0Self-Talk for Performance\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How Athletes Can Use\u00a0Self-Talk for Performance\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[318,1193],"class_list":["post-19409","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-confidence-in-sports","tag-self-talk-2"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To determine if self-talk has influenced your performance, think of previous performances when you completely fell apart in a competition. 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