The “What If” Trap: How to Stay in the Moment and Play Your Best

Shut Down the 'What If' Trap: Boosting Athlete Confidence and Focus

Welcome back to Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations with your host Valerie Alston! In this episode, we tackle the common pre-game mental trap of 'What if?' thoughts that cause anxiety and hinder performance. Learn how elite athletes manage these thoughts to stay focused and present in the moment. Discover two key strategies: mindfulness for grounding yourself in the present and 'If-Then' planning for productive game prep. Perfect for athletes and parents alike, this episode offers practical tools to build mental toughness and resilience. Join us and turn every car ride into an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and lifelong skills development!

00:00 Introduction: Overcoming the 'What If' Trap

00:17 Welcome to Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations

00:54 Understanding the 'What If' Thoughts

01:51 The Mind-Body Connection and Anxiety

04:27 Grounding Techniques to Stay Present

07:38 Productive 'What If' Thoughts and Strategy

10:59 Interactive Discussion Questions

12:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discussion questions:

1. When you get nervous, what’s one thought that tends to pop up first?
2. What’s something I can say to myself instead that would help me focus?
3. How can we help each other focus more on what we can control, not what might go wrong?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

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