{"id":22050,"date":"2025-04-10T19:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T23:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=22050"},"modified":"2025-06-24T20:20:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T00:20:45","slug":"use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Use\u00a0Self-Talk\u00a0to Improve Athletic 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\/2025\/06\/self-talk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/self-talk.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/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=\"How_Does_Self-Talk_Affect_Your_Game\"><\/span>How Does Self-Talk Affect Your Game?<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\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance\/#How_Does_Self-Talk_Affect_Your_Game\" >How Does Self-Talk Affect Your Game?<\/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\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance\/#Negative_self-talk_impacts_your_mental_game_in_several_ways\" >Negative self-talk impacts your mental game in several ways:<\/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\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-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\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance\/#The_Confident_Athlete_Digital_Download\" >The Confident Athlete (Digital Download)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Too often, athletes are dismissive of <strong>self-talk.<\/strong> Either they think <strong>self-talk <\/strong>doesn\u2019t really impact performance, or your <strong>self-talk <\/strong>is relatively unchangeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, language has a profound impact on athletes. Has a parent or coach ever told you, \u201cYou are not good enough?&#8221; Have you ever been labeled as \u201clazy\u201d? Has an important figure in your life said, \u201cYou are failing to live up to your potential\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did any of those comments improve your confidence, enhance your self-image, or leave you feeling more positive about yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most likely, those opinions contributed to low confidence, a poor self-image, a lack of motivation, and underperformance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make matters worse, when you make negative statements about yourself or criticize yourself internally, the impact is amplified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negative_self-talk_impacts_your_mental_game_in_several_ways\"><\/span>Negative self-talk impacts your mental game in several ways:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Constant negative internal dialogue slowly chips away at your confidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negative <strong>self-talk <\/strong>breeds performance anxiety and fear of failure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you constantly put yourself down, you will feel mentally exhausted, emotionally drained, and physically tired.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When self-criticizing during competitions, you are not focusing on what you should be doing in the moment to be maximally productive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negative thoughts slow your reaction and interfere with decision-making during competitions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you dwell on mistakes or bad games, the result can be longer slumps or inconsistent performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you tell yourself something long enough, you will believe it. However, the reverse is also true. If you tell yourself something reassuring, positive, or productive, your confidence will grow, you will feel less anxious during competitions, and your game will significantly improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Positive <strong>self-talk <\/strong>does not mean lying to yourself but telling yourself objective facts such as, \u201cI\u2019m a hard worker,\u201d \u201cI will not let a bad performance beat me,\u201d or \u201cI got what it takes to improve my game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Positive <strong>self-talk <\/strong>focuses on your strengths, successes, and positive qualities. When you choose to focus on positive, productive thoughts, you will achieve positive results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UCLA center Lauren Betts had an epic year, averaging 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and being named a 2025 All-American and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bettts\u2019 confidence was displayed throughout the 2025 NCAA Tournament as she helped lead the Bruins to the semifinals. Although, Betts has admitted she struggled with confidence in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UCLA head coach Cori Close stated that confidence has previously been a mental block for Bettts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CLOSE: \u201cEvery young person has to find what their roadblocks are, and hers has been confidence. Hers has been being too hard on herself and not believing how worthy she is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Betts knew she had to work to replace her negative thoughts with more positive ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BETTS: \u201cI think I just kind of finally came to a conclusion, \u2018What you were telling yourself [the negative thoughts] \u2026 obviously did you no good and you have to be better for yourself.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Changing your <strong>self-talk <\/strong>will not happen overnight. You need to commit to work to rewire your thoughts constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, before each game this season, Betts wrote affirmations such as \u201cYou are amazing,\u201d \u201cBe confident,\u201d and \u201cYou got this\u201d on the scouting report she received before each game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shifting from negative to positive <strong>self-talk<\/strong> isn\u2019t about ignoring weaknesses. It\u2019s about recognizing your strengths and giving yourself positive information to help you perform better during practices and competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <strong>self-talk <\/strong>is one of your most powerful tools as an athlete. The words you say to yourself, whether positive or negative, constructive or destructive, impact your confidence, focus, energy, and performance.Before every practice or competition, write down 1-2 positive affirmations in a visible place. Messages such as \u201cI\u2019m unstoppable,\u201d \u201cI got this,\u201d or \u201cKeep pushing forward\u201d help build confidence and improve athletic performance.<\/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-athletes-can-use-self-talk-for-performance\/\">How Athletes Can Use\u00a0Self-Talk for Performance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\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\u00a0<\/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\u00a0<\/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\/2023\/10\/confident-athlete-audio250.jpg\" alt=\"Sport Psychology Cds\" class=\"wp-image-15979\" style=\"width:170px\"\/><\/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;\u00a0Improving 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\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-contrast-3-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/products\/the-confident-athlete-digital\" style=\"border-radius:10px\">GET DETAILS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Does Self-Talk Affect Your Game? Too often, athletes are dismissive of self-talk. Either they think self-talk doesn\u2019t really impact performance, or your self-talk is relatively unchangeable. However, language has a profound impact on athletes. Has a parent or coach ever told you, \u201cYou are not good enough?&#8221; Have you ever been labeled as \u201clazy\u201d? Has an important &#8230; <a title=\"Use\u00a0Self-Talk\u00a0to Improve Athletic Performance\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/use-self-talk-to-improve-athletic-performance\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Use\u00a0Self-Talk\u00a0to Improve Athletic Performance\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[324,1193,250],"class_list":["post-22050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-focus-in-sports","tag-self-talk-2","tag-sports-psychology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.5.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Positive self-talk focuses on your strengths, successes, and positive qualities. 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