Mindset Traps to Avoid in the Box
Many factors contribute to your performance in the box. It's not enough to make sure your nutriton and training are on point. You need to pay attention to what's going on between your ears too.
Even when you're doing everything else by the book, your mindset can really hold you back. Here are some of the most common mindset traps, and how to avoid them:
1. You Lack Confidence
Low confidence can manifest itself in many ways, and is the biggest mindset trap we see people fall into. It's also the most restrictive.
Often, athletes that lack confidence have low expectations of themselves. Do you ever predict you won't be able to make a lift? When this happens, how often do you actually make the lift? We're guessing rarely.
The same applies when you're hitting a WOD. If you set low expectations before it starts, it's unlikely you're going to do much better.
This can be difficult to overcome. You can't do everything. That much is true. But you can do more than you think. As long as you're realistic with your goals, there's no reason you can't achieve them.
Approach everything you do with confidence. Believe you can do whatever you set your mind to. The outcome might surprise you.
2. You're TOO Confident
On the flip side, some athletes are too confident. It's good to set your expectations high, but what happens when they're too high?
When you're too confident, you lack modesty - which is an important attribute for any aspiring athlete.
Modest athletes are confident, but not arrogate. They know their limits, but also know what they need to do to improve. Modest athletes don't worry what others are doing, or doubt their own performance. Instead, they keep their head down and get the work done.
When you're too confident, you're more likely to take unnecessary risks with your training.
If you'll do anything to protect your ego, even when you risk injury, it's time to reassess your mindset. Whilst you don't want to lose your confidence, it would help you to recognise when it goes from help to hindrance.
3. You're Scared to Fail
How do you grow as an athlete? It's well known that failure is one of the best ways to learn. Not just in the box, but in day-to-day life too.
If you're scared to fail, what you're really saying is you're scared to grow.
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
- Michael Jordan
Instead of hiding from your fears, challenge them head on. What's the worst that can happen?
Embrace your failures. Just make sure you learn from them. It doesn't matter whether you've failed a lift, or bombed out of a competition. There's always a lesson to be learned. Take it, and come back stronger.
4. You're Too Focused on Other People
When you're in the box, the temptation to pit yourself against others is always high. The whiteboard is there to encourage and inspire you, but don't let it take over.
Whilst a little competition is a good thing, it can be detrimental to your performance. It's far better to be motivated by your own success, rather than the perceived failure of others.
By all means, have fun when you WOD. Take part in challenges, and take an interest in your training buddies' performance. Just don't let it take over.
As long as you're moving closer to your own goals, does it really matter how you compare to everyone else?
