Have you ever gone into a training or competition fearful? Maybe you haven’t been playing well or you are coming off an injury or the nay-sayers/negative talk about your play is beginning to take root in your mind.
Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Regardless of the negativity, thoughts, ideas or circumstances – How do you break away from it all? How do you continue to compete, grow, develop, and improve?
The reality is, fear is a part of the game and life. It will always be there. You will have skeptics, stronger/better/more talented opponents, difficult playing environments, etc. At times seemingly impossible odds. Fear is present in situations and actions that stretch us, hold value, present risk, all pursuits of importance!
So how do you overcome the fear?
Courage
After Moses’ death, God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promise Land. There were many unknowns, uncertainties, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Yet God called Joshua to lead on, be strong and courageous! (Joshua 1)
And you can imagine Joshua in that moment was experiencing fear in the midst of the unknowns. Leading over a million into a land that had hostile occupants.
Seth Godin stated that “Fear is a clue that you’re getting close to doing something important.”
When we get close to doing something of value or significance, fear will always be present. Fear is not a bad thing, but how you respond to it is what matters most!
Nelson Mandela shared that “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Courage gives you the strength to block out the fear/negativity and play/compete/live your life to the best of your abilities and potential. Having you the mindset and fortitude to move beyond the “impossible” and to achieve success. Even if we fail, it is better to try and fail and learn from it, than never to try at all!
Galatians 6:9 Paul said, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Be strong and take courage! Courage will give you the strength and mentality to move beyond your fear, uncertainty, and obstacles to compete and live the life you were called to live!
Next Steps…
What causes fear in your life, sport, competition, job, etc.?
How and when does fear impact your effectiveness as a player, as a person?
What is one step you can take to overcome fear and its negativity the next time you encounter it?