FROM THE DESK OF:
John Ellsworth
Sports Psychology Consultant
Protex Sports, LLC
_______________________________Each month I strive to provide athletes, coaches and parents with unique strategies to drastically improve athletic performance. This newsletter is just one of the many resources I make available to anyone who is serious about improving performance.
The mind is a powerful tool. The thoughts, beliefs and attitudes we hold about how we perform greatly influences the outcome of competitive situations. Harness that power with mental game skills training and you have the winning strategy to consistently perform with a champion mindset!
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- Resources & Partners
- About John Ellsworth
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Perfectionism is one of the biggest challenges for an athletes success and joy in sport. Perfectionists often set strict rules for success. It is not uncommon for a perfectionist to: 1) Set extremely high expectations for their performance - and rarely achieve success with these expectations, 2) Look to performance results or outcomes as the measure of success, 3) Often look to others to validate their success, 4) See achievement in sports as what identifies who they are as a person, 5) Often over analyze mistakes and as a result over train to be perfect, 6) Often engage in Negative Self-Talk. To beat perfectionism you must allow yourself to make mistakes without judgment. You must also believe that you and only you are in control of your success and that no one else plays an active role. Take control of your perfectionism by: 1) Define Your Self-Concept Outside of Sports, 2) Take the Good Accomplishments home with you - Leave the Rest on The Field, 3) Strive for Balance in Life, and 4) Believe that others will not judge your Success in Sports. Take control of your joy in sports by reducing the pressure you place on yourself to perform.
I challenge you to make a list of your Top 10 Strongest Skills in your sport. Write these on a 3 x 5 card and make Three copies of these. Place one in your locker, one in your backpack, and one on the refrigerator in your home. These are the skills you know you can execute on day in and day out. These are the skills you Trust. Your execution of these skills gives you unrelenting confidence and a stronger belief in yourself. You have control over these skills because you have mastered them. Now I challenge you to write down the Top 2 Most Challenging Skills that require improvement. Write these down. Make a commitment to work on these skills during practice each day. Spend 30 minutes each day on execution of the relevant cues of each task that are absolutely critical to the success of the new task. Repeat the following Positive Self-Talk Statement to yourself 5 times before practice and 5 times after practice each day for one week. "I work hard in practice each day and know I have done the best I can to master my new skills. I accept my mistakes and will learn from them. My attitude, behavior, and execution of my skills is the only thing I have in my control"
Coaching the Young, Perfectionist Athlete
Written by John R. Ellsworth, M.A., Sport Psychology Consultant & Mental Game Coach
Athletes or parents who demand high levels of performance are rarely satisfied with incremental levels of performance achievement because the standard of acceptable performance has been set extremely high. When the “expected” result is not achieved, they can be very self-critical and display perfectionist traits. Perfectionistic athletes get frustrated easily after making mistakes, engage in negative self-talk, are focused on results or outcomes, and can often miss the joy that comes from playing their sport.
Although these athletes have an incredibly strong work ethic, are highly motivated, committed to their goals, and want nothing more than to learn and improve, they cannot see the forest for the trees. In fact, most athletes display some "perfectionistic" traits in their athletic careers. That is not to say that perfectionism is all bad. On the contrary some levels of perfectionistic thinking can be helpful. For this article, however we will focus on the aspects of perfectionism that impede performance.
Perfectionistic athletes are blocked from performing up to their abilities by their extremely high performance with little room for error causing them to fear failure. They worry too much about pleasing others, are anxious and stressed out or allow statistics and winning to become most important. Perfectionists believe performance results are what make them "good & valued" human beings, and that others will respect them more if they perform to the highest levels.
It is important to identify the traits that may be blocking confidence, performance success, and enjoyment in sports. In a recent performance did you or your child want to win so badly that the pressure and stress of this demand caused anxiousness at crucial points in the game? At critical times, does the athlete play tentatively, with caution, and appear unsure about the next move? Are you aware that trying too hard sabotages a performance? Is practice an exercise in being perfect or in learning how to execute? Does the athlete practice hours and hours without achieving “expected” success?
Parents or perfectionistic athletes who are uncomfortable with their performance levels try too hard to adhere to the demands of others and set unrealistic goals for their actual skill level. In essence, does the challenge they are attempting to master match up with the athletes skill level.? The key is to replace these "demanding" expectations with simple, challenging, and achievable process goals that enhance self-esteem, build confidence, and are designed to improve performance incrementally.
If the athlete believes he or she should pitch to win every game, you might suggest the athlete replace the demand "I must win every game" mind set with simple process oriented objectives: 1) Focus on the target every pitch, 2) Commit to being in the present one pitch at a time, 3) Believe you can execute each pitch.
To learn more about "perfectionism," how to help the athlete confront it, and replace it with healthy strategies for success, please send me an email with your questions.
You will learn strategies to help: 1) Decide when pressure is too much, 2) Motivate athletes to master their sport, 3) Kids feel confident in sports and athletics, 4) Athletes reduce the worry and anxiety about performance, 5) Your athletes cope with anger, frustration, and stress in sports, 6) Understand what happens when athletes are burned out, 7) When the coach is very demanding, 8) Parents to communicate with their young athletes, 9) Learn more about what they have in their control, and 9) Athletes after a defeat or mistake.
(Next month -- Confidence issues and how to overcome them!)
I am a 17 year old high school senior playing on both the basketball and water polo teams. Next year I plan to go to college and play basketball, water polo or both. I live to play these sports and work very hard to succeed. I want nothing more than to have the coaches, the players, my parents, and others believe that I am the best. Whenever I make a couple of mistakes in a game, the rest of my performance suffers. I actually really hate making mistakes. It is very hard for me when I make mistakes because I feel like I let myself and others down. When I make mistakes I just want to work harder in practice to get better. It is not uncommon for me to practice before school and even on the weekends. Recently I have started to doubt my abilities in basketball. The coach notices that I am hesitant to take shots even when I am open. I worry about making mistakes and just will not take the chances to score like I used to. It has become increasingly more stressful for me to perform in practice because I feel that I am not helping the team the way I believe I should or the way I believe they expect me to. What can I do to get out of this performance slump?
Have a mental game problem? Ask sports psychology expert, John Ellsworth your question and he'll respond to you personally! Email your mental game problems and questions to john@protexsports.com
COMING IN OCTOBER 2007 ---
Getting it Right!
Building Champions by Defeating Perfectionism
By John Ellsworth, MAGetting it Right! offers valuable insight about what makes this athlete tick, as well as a set of tools to help this complex performer reach a higher level of peak performance and experience greater joy from sport participation and life. PRE - ORDER HERE
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day
Plan for Ultimate Self-Confidence
By Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.In The Confident Athlete you'll learn how to think and perform like a champion. One of the best-selling products on sports psychology, The Confident Athlete investigates the common mental obstacles leading to poor performance--confidence. After reading this book and applying the 14 days of exercises, virtually any athlete will boost confidence! This program improves confidence by identifying the common thoughts or behaviors that decrease confidence and instills the mindset needed to be a champion.
SPECIAL!!! Available ONLY to Minding the Sport Subscribers
2 CDs & 68 Page Workbook … $59.00 (plus shipping)
Regular Price: $89 -- YOU SAVE $30!
The Composed Athlete: A 14-Day
Plan for Ultimate Composure
By Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.Written by a leading sports psychology expert, the Composed Athlete teached athletes (as well as coaches) how to cope with pressure, especially when performance is critical to the outcome of the competition. The book covers the mental breakdowns that occur that lead to loss of composure and provides a 14 strategy/plan to change negative thoughts and behaviors dealing with composure that inhibit performance. Perfect for any athlete or coach who wants to learn how to stay calm during crunch-time!
SPECIAL!!! Available ONLY to Minding the Sport Subscribers
2 CDs & 63 Page Workbook … $59.00 (plus shipping)
Regular Price: $89 -- YOU SAVE $30!
The Focused Athlete: A 14-Day
Plan for Ultimate Concentration
By Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.When athletes get side-tracked, so does their performance! The Focused Athlete teaches coaches and athletes alike, the concentration skills to focus on the play or performance, rather than heckling fans, shouting teammates or environmental conditions. Much like its popular counter-parts, the Confident Athlete and the Composed Athlete, the Focused Athlete covers the mental barriers that negatively impact performance and provides personalized strategies to create winning thoughts and behaviors.
SPECIAL!!! Available ONLY to Minding the Sport Subscribers
2 CDs & 63 Page Workbook … $59.00 (plus shipping)
Regular Price: $89 -- YOU SAVE $30!
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day
Plan for Kid's Success in Sports
By Lisa Cohn and Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.When you're a parent to a youth athlete learning the secrets to motivate your aspiring athlete requires special insights into your child's mental toughness--or mindset in sports. The Ultimate Sports Parent takes parents, or anyone working with youth athletics, the secrets of instilling a champion mindset. Topics covered include: overcoming fear, increasing confidence, refining focus and building composure.
SPECIAL!!! Available ONLY to Minding the Sport Subscribers
2 CDs & 118 Page Workbook … $59.00 (plus shipping)
Regular Price: $89 -- YOU SAVE $30!_____________________________________________________
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Urban Sports is a multi-sport athletic store with product lines that range from swim wear, cycle apparel, running apparel, running shoes to yoga apparel and props. Our mission is to provide the best customer service to sports enthusiasts in a professional environment and to be involved in an active lifestyle with our community. With experience as both athletes and business owners, we have a unique approach to cross training. This focus allows us to provide exceptional services that differentiate us from mass market retailers and allows us to maintain our competitive price points and keep our network of customers growing. www.urbansports.info
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MOTOR TABS Fluid Replacement System – a revolutionary effervescent electrolyte/energy tablet - turns ordinary water into a smooth, refreshing sports drink. Just drop it in, let it dissolve and drink! Designed for use any time around an athlete’s participatory athletic activity (before, during and after), MOTOR TABS is a portable sports drink that can go anywhere, as the individual tablets are wrapped in water/air tight foil packages that protect them from sweat, dirt and other harmful elements. Each tablet delivers 250 mg of sodium, 75 mg of potassium, 16 grams of carbohydrate and 65 calories bottle. Three flavors: Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime and Orange. More details: www.motortabs.com
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Running isn’t as simple as throwing on a pair of shoes and hitting the road. When you run, every footstrike can generate 3-5 times your body weight in impact force! Talk about an EXTREME sport! With this in mind, the way your body moves when you run can make or literally break you! For information about Marathon Matt’s personal coaching programs/services, check out /www.marathonmatt.com
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Keller Williams Realty is founded on an “agents as partners” business model. This model encourages agents and brokers to share their best practices with each other and rewards associates who bring others into the company. It is these industry-changing philosophies that have rocketed Keller Williams past older, more established companies to claim a top-five spot in the real estate industry. In 2007 Keller WIlliams was ranked at the fourth largest real estate company in the U.S. with over 78,000 agents. Call Timothy Alston for special deals only available to Protex Sports clients. www.alstonhomes.com
John Ellsworth, M.A
Sports Psychology Consultant
PROTEX SPORTS, LLC
___________________________________John Ellsworth knows that every athlete wants one thing—to achieve peak performance, especially in competition. As both president and founder of Protex Sports, LLC, John is dedicated to helping serious athletes strengthen confidence, refine focus and build composure to provide them the winning advantage—mental endurance.
With over 30 years of experience in business, education, coaching and sport psychology, John is highly regarded as an accomplished authority on achieving excellence and reaching optimal performance. He brings a multi-faceted approach to the mental aspects of sports and health by looking at the attitudes, beliefs and thoughts that influence performance behaviors.
In addition to his extensive experience in both clinical and applied sports psychology, Mr. Ellsworth has worked with sports parents, sports teams, coaches, athletic trainers, sports agents and physicians to train them in the skills to boost mental toughness or assist athletes recovering from a sports related injury.
John works throughout North America with athletes and teams from a variety of sport backgrounds. He earned his Masters Degree from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Sport Psychology (2001); has obtained undergraduate degrees in Business, and Psychology, as well as teaching credentials from Hillsdale College; and is presently working on his doctorate degree.
