We’ve all been there. We do everything we can. Preparation, sleep, nutrition, training, confidence and for some reason it just wasn’t good enough. When you face a disappointment in sports it’s all about failing forward and trusting the process. We know know its hard, but it’s hard because we care and we need to build that mental toughness. Here are 5 ways to bounce back!
1. Have a Support Network
When experiencing a setback, get around the people who love and support you. It could be Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters, extended family, a special coach or your closest friends. Reach out and talk to them, they are your biggest fans and will always have your back. After all, we are humans, it’s in our natural makeup to love, support and interact. Lean on these people, they love you on the TEAM or not.
2. Control the controllable
Too often we get caught up with the things we can’t control. The evaluation process, the schedule, your linemates and how many spots are open to make the TEAM. Focus on the controllable. Your preparation, your state of mental focus, your athletic gifts and continue to make them better. This mentality leads to greater bounce back because all you can do is all you can do. Don’t try to figure it out and try controlling the uncontrollable, recharge, re-focus and go after YOUR game.
3. Fail Forward
If we put ourselves on the front line, failure is inevitable. It’s how we react to it that really makes us a great athlete. Winners aren’t born, they are made. They don’t go to a special “Winning” school or have some sort of genetic predisposition. They’ve just failed forward more than everybody else. The hardest part of failing forward is the “Forward” part. Too often we let the Failure piece engulf the Forward piece and we become stagnant, unable to push through the barrier. Carry on my friends. The sun comes up the next day. CRAVE to Fail Forward and success will find you.
4. Learn
Too often we focus on learning just from our mistakes. This is really important but we should also learn from the experience and environment. Being detailed in this area allows a greater bounce back because it focuses on positive feedback that can be used next time you go after that big opportunity. You’ve been there, done that and walk in with a renewed confidence. We think it’s also good to learn from your competitors. Key skills they brought to the table, how they competed, did they dig in when it really mattered etc. Analyzing your competition is a way to self reflect in a positive way and provide you with that jam to get back on the horse and get after it!
5. Fuel your Fire
Every winner uses failure to motivate. Sitting back and playing small doesn’t get it done. Michael Jordan got released from his high school basketball team, they said Wayne Gretzky was too small and couldn’t skate, Tom Brady was a 4th (backup to the backup to the backup) QB at Michigan, you don’t think it but they failed a ton, just like us and you. Use the setback as pushback. Show your backbone, build that resiliency and go after your destiny.
So, self reflection time... Is your goal a deep driven desire or simply something that’s “Take it or Leave it ?” If it means everything to you, then go do it. We hope these 5 pillars will help you “Bounce Back”. It’s worked for us and if you study the world’s best athletes, it’s worked for them too!
