I’ve read lots about the power of positive thinking. I consider myself a real optimist.
There’s lots of doubt in all of us, however. Even after 27 plus years of coaching at the college level I’m often found wondering how big my next failure is going to be. There is so much that can go wrong.
Our players have plenty of doubts as well. We encourage them to “stop thinking” we tell them all about strategies that allow them to consider the positive outcomes…
One of the simplest ideas is that of replacement thoughts. Don’t fight the negativity with more negativity (“stop being negative!”), simply replace that with something else.
The replacement thoughts don’t need to be the inverse of the negative, just something different. Choose your thoughts. Be in control.
Coaching Made Easier 