15% Better
15% Better
Whenever I look back at my college debut and my first 2 seasons at the University of Hawaii, I can’t help but notice my chest tighten and hints of regret sneaking in knowing that I was my own biggest obstacle for far too long. As a young student-athlete I was so focused on having the perfect performance, never making mistakes, and meeting everyone’s expectations that I lost touch with the joy soccer brought me, the joy that allowed me to play at my most optimal state.
There is a quote by the Olympic gold medalist Sam Hamilton that goes “Pressure can make you 15% better or 15% worse” (maybe 20% in my case). Pressure, or the fear of failing, is what I remember most from my collegiate experience. Although I ended my career exactly how I wanted to; as the Big West Conference goalkeeper of the year, All-Big West First Team, and All-West Regional Second Team I always come back to the same question “How could I have made my collegiate soccer experience more enjoyable?”
Athletes and elite performers in all areas are no strangers to criticism for the work they produce. We know it’s necessary for development, mastery, and an inevitable part of life no matter what field you end up in. Criticism becomes a problem when progress gets confused with perfectionism. When we believe we are only as good as our last play, when we are too self-conscious about how we look, when the fear of failure keeps us from trying new things, being creative, or working on our weaknesses. It wasn’t until my first professional season overseas that I finally prioritized the mental side of my game. I learned that even if you aren’t “born” to thrive under pressure, it is a skill that can be developed. Anyone can learn how to use pressure to be that 15% better.
Perfectionism is externally motivating and driven by what other people think about us. Perfectionism leads us to set expectations for ourselves that are so high, that we are constantly left in a cycle of dissatisfaction. Brene Brown, Sociologist and research professor at the university of Huston, points out perfectionism as one of the biggest barriers to achieving mastery. Why? Because achieving mastery in any field requires creativity and seeing failure as opportunities for learning and growth. Mastery requires identifying our biggest weaknesses and being okay with working on them at practice (deliberate training) Infront of everyone. Perfectionism is about earning approval and acceptance. Progress and mastery are about self-improvement.
Pressure isn’t this outside force that happens to us. We create it through our thoughts, preparation, and confidence; all things fueled by our self-concept (how we view ourselves). With a positive self-concept we have a steady foundation of who we are and where we want to go. It is a kind of mindfulness and awareness that guides us to identify and set character and career goals based on what we want out of our experience and what we value (intrinsic motivation). A positive self-concept cultivates resilience, makes it okay to celebrate our victories (no matter how big or small) and not beat ourselves up when we inevitably fail.
One play does not define the player, but how you respond does.
So, ask yourself this: Who do you play for? Why do you play? What’s important to you? Think as far as you can ahead, what are you doing and what steps (they can be small) can be taken now to get there?
Start with this and see where it takes you.