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Writer's pictureJack Mcveigh

Winning Starts with Self-Awareness: Learn How to Overcome Sports Anxiety and Reach Your Goals

I had pre-game anxiety and I didn’t know.

My performance wasn't improving.

And I didn't know why.

Hyper focused.

Sore stomach.

Clammy hands.

Superstitions

I thought this was just part of playing sports.

But I didn't know any better.

Without awareness, nothing will change.

I'll tell you how I realised I had pre-game anxiety.

The first game of AFL was back.

It had been an extra-long break due to covid.

Beth (my girlfriend) in a passing comment notes on how nervous they must be.

"Such a big deal was made out of this game, they would be nervous."

I snap back.

"Professional athletes don’t get nervous. It's just a game."

We talked it out.

Once my emotions cooled down.

I learned that my strong opinion on the situation was self-protection.

My ego didn’t want to face the fact I got nervous.

This moment is powerful.

I just moved into the first stage of awareness.

There is a problem.

Now I'm aware of it.

There are 3 levels of awareness.

Let's break them down.

Level 1 Unaware.

When I snapped back at Beth.

I had no idea there was a problem.

Living in an oblivious state to what was affecting me.

At this level, it is impossible to make a change or grow.

How do we leave this level then?

  • People

  • Growth mindset

  • A goal

  • Review

The people in your life play an important role in helping you through this level.

Beth noticed how defensive I got over a small comment.

She told me it was something I had to explore.

This is where having an open mind is so important.

If my identity was attached to the idea that "no athletes get nervous before a game" this conversation would have hurt my ego.

I approached it with a growth mindset.

An opportunity to learn.

If you aren't getting the outcome you desire.

Or a goal is not being reached.

You are in this stage.

Read.

Study.

Ask loved ones for critical feedback.

Find a coach.

Ask questions.

Self-reflect.

View the world with an open mind.

If your life isn't exactly how you want it to be, you have something to learn.




Level 2 Pain Aware

After reflection and conversation.

I learned I have a problem.

This is the pain-aware phase.

I now understand there is a problem in my life.

Performance anxiety.

Games were stressful for me.

I had been hiding this fact from myself for years.

Beth provided a place I could be vulnerable.

I looked inside and asked myself important questions.

This stage creates the chance for change to occur.


The key to this stage.

Don’t beat yourself up when you find the problem.

No matter how silly or simple it is.

You don’t know what you don’t know.

You tried your best with what knowledge you had.

This is an exciting phase to be in.

So much potential.

Have compassion for yourself.

It's time to get to work.

Level 3 Solution Aware

I knew I had a problem that I wanted to solve.

My performance anxiety.

Now I had to learn how to do that.

It was time to dive head-first into research.

I studied books.

Watched YouTube videos.

Applied ideas and tools to myself.

I had to learn what action to take to make a change.

This is all about trial and error.

Here are some of the things I tried.

  • Breathing

  • Mindfulness

  • Gratitude

  • High fives

  • Different goal setting

  • Power stances

  • Identity shifting

  • Failure Insurance

This stage is all about learning.

Find people who have been in your situation but improved past it.

Keep an open mind when learning.

Try and find what works for you.

Reflect on new habits.

Build new mental pathways for doing things.

Performance anxiety is still something I face.

But with daily practice and work, I am in total control.

None of this would have been possible without awareness.

Building awareness in life is difficult.

That’s why we need to set goals.

Surround yourself with people you admire.

Look at the world with childlike wonder.

Understand there is a 50% chance we are wrong.

And use every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow.


Thank you for reading.

If you enjoyed this.

I cover mindset skills in the weekly newsletter Mondays with McVeigh.

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Have a great day.

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