Competitive Sports or Pressure Cooker
There can be an ugly side to highly competitive sports at any age. Here are some things to look out for and some strategies to let the steam out.
It’s important to recognize that the competitive sports world often comes with high risk situations (e.g., injury risk or high stakes) and tiresome maintenance factors (e.g., keeping peak performance conditions for long periods of time). Many people become involved in competitive sports as children or young adults. This is also a time when identity development is peaking and one’s sense of self can become wrapped up in their performance or success within their sport. This can have a significant negative impact on self esteem and ability to view themselves as having value outside of their sport. There are also financial burdens, as well as time away from social connections or activities due to practices and/or competitions. It can also develop or worsen perfectionistic tendencies. This kind of tendency is really a setup for failure, because as most of us have found, nothing is perfect.
If you are noticing decreased motivation to engage in your sport or less enjoyment from it, increased stress/ sadness/ anxiety about outcomes from the sport, or an inability to balance other things with your sport, then it’s time to take a step back.
You are a human first. You are not defined by your sport.
Here are three things to try today to shift these feelings.
Make a list of things you didn’t think you would be able to get through, but did.
Write down 5 things outside of your sport that you like or are interested in.
Complete this sentence in relation to life and then your sport, “I am best when…”
If you continue to question engagement in your sport or would like to work on mental skills to help your performance, reach out and let’s chat more.
Doc Hotz