Four Signs You’re Becoming a More Confident Athlete Through Mental Training
Unlock Your Athletic Potential with Mental Performance Training
Confidence is one of the most important skills an athlete can develop, and mental training is a powerful way to build it. But how do you know if it’s working? Here are four signs that you’re becoming a more confident athlete, thanks to your dedication to mental performance training.
1. You’re Under Control in High-Pressure Situations
When the stakes are high, you stay composed. Visualization and focus drills help you remain calm and trust your preparation and instincts, even in the most intense moments. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, you thrive in it.
Action Step: Spend 5 minutes daily imagining yourself in situations you might face on game day. Visualize yourself performing confidently and effectively, focusing on the details of your success.
2. You’re Able to Boost Yourself Up
Negative self-talk used to drag you down, but now you’ve learned to replace those thoughts with constructive and encouraging self-talk. You believe in your abilities and know how to pick yourself up after mistakes. Mental training has equipped you with the tools to consistently boost your belief in yourself.
3. You’re Consistent in Your Preparation
Confidence doesn’t just happen; it’s built through preparation. You’ve developed consistent mental habits—like visualization, mindfulness, or journaling—that ground you and set the stage for a confident performance. By sticking to these routines, you’ve created a reliable foundation for success.
4. You’re Shifting How You View Outcome vs. Effort
One of the most significant shifts mental training brings is a focus on effort-based goals instead of outcomes. You’ve learned that you can’t control winning, stats, or external validation, but you can control your effort and attitude. This mindset allows you to compete freely and perform at your best without unnecessary pressure.
Action Step: Set one specific, effort-based goal before each practice or competition. For example, focus on hustling for every ball or giving your all in every drill.
Mental training doesn’t just improve your performance—it transforms the way you approach challenges, setbacks, and achievements. If you see these signs in your own journey, it’s proof that you’re on the path to becoming a more confident athlete. Keep putting in the mental work, and watch your confidence build to unshakeable levels.
For more tips and resources on building mental toughness, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our Think Strong, Play Strong email series where new subscribers gain instant access to a simple guide to bouncing back faster when things aren’t going your way during competition.
About Coach Kristin Tullo, creator of Think Strong. Play Strong Mental Performance Coaching:
I’m a Mental Performance Mastery Certified Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach with over a decade of experience working with athletes at all levels, from youth to collegiate and beyond. My unique journey sets me apart—I didn’t come from a traditional college athletic background. Instead, my foundation is in social work and psychology, and my coaching is rooted in what I learned from stepping away from competitive sports and reflecting on what I missed.
My mission is to help athletes see their value beyond wins and losses, play to their full potential, and understand that perfection isn’t the goal—progress and enjoyment are. I believe that with the right mindset, athletes can embrace setbacks as part of their journey and thrive under pressure.
If you’re looking to sharpen your focus, boost your confidence, and stay motivated, follow me on Instagram for daily tips. You can also join my email list to stay updated on free workshops and mental performance training opportunities designed to take your game to the next level.
