Do you ever find yourself standing on the sidelines before a game, wondering, “Am I even ready for this?”

If that’s you, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Almost every athlete has felt that wave of uncertainty before competing. But here’s the thing – not feeling ready doesn’t mean you can’t rise to the occasion. Today, let’s challenge that head-on. I’ll walk you through practical tips to help you shake off the doubt and step into competition with confidence and focus.

A Special Shoutout

First, a quick shoutout to Ava, a girls’ hockey player from Arlington, Massachusetts, and part of our Elite Mental Game program. Ava switched to a new team this season, a challenging situation for any athlete. But she’s handled it like a pro, building connections with her teammates, stepping up as a leader, and boosting her performance on the ice. Ava, you’re crushing it! Keep pushing forward mentally and physically; we see you!

When You Don’t Feel Ready

Now athletes, let’s talk about those moments when you don’t feel ready to compete. Maybe it’s nerves before a big game, or perhaps it’s self-doubt creeping in after a rough practice. Whatever the reason, that nagging thought, “I’m not ready”, can throw you off your game. But here’s the good news: feeling ready and being ready are two very different things.

Feeling Ready

• It’s just that – a feeling.
• Feelings can change and aren’t always reliable indicators of readiness.

Being Ready

• It’s a choice.
• It means deciding to show up, work hard, and give your best effort no matter what.

You won’t always feel ready, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t ready. Champions know this and approach their competitions differently. They don’t wait around for a magical moment of readiness – they choose to be ready.

Why You Might Not Feel Ready

There are plenty of reasons why you might not feel ready, including:

• Big Competition Nerves. When the stakes are high, it’s natural to feel nervous. Your brain starts second-guessing, making you wonder if you’ve done enough to prepare.

• Expectations. Pressure from yourself, coaches, or teammates can feel overwhelming.

• Off Days. Maybe you didn’t sleep well, had a bad practice, or woke up feeling off. These moments happen to everyone.

When these feelings hit, it’s important to remind yourself: feelings are fleeting. They don’t define your ability to perform.

How to Choose to Be Ready

Being ready is about making intentional choices, even when you don’t feel like it. Here’s how to do it:

• Decide to Work Hard. Commit to giving 100% effort, no matter what happens during the game.

• Step Out of Your Comfort Zone. Push yourself to take on challenges, even if they feel uncomfortable.

• Focus on What You Can Control. Don’t waste energy worrying about things outside your control, like the other team’s strategy or the referee’s calls.

• Be a Great Teammate. Cheer others on, offer encouragement, and set a positive example.

• Take Coaching. Stay open to feedback and apply it to your performance.

If you can confidently answer “yes” to these choices, then you’re ready – even if you don’t feel it.

Practical Tools for Readiness

Inside the Elite Mental Game program, we teach athletes how to align their mind and body for peak performance. Here are a couple of strategies you can try:

• Pre-Game Routine. Create a consistent routine that helps you get in the zone. This might include visualization, stretching, or listening to your favorite music.

• Find Your Hype Number. On a scale of 1 to 10, figure out your ideal energy level for competing. Some athletes perform best when they’re calm and steady (a 3 or 4), while others thrive on high energy (an 8 or 9). Once you know your number, use your routine to get there.

These tools help athletes not only feel ready but also perform at their best when it counts.

The Mindset Shift

Waiting for a feeling of readiness will hold you back. Instead, focus on showing up and making intentional choices. Champions don’t rely on fleeting emotions – they take control of their mindset and actions.

So, the next time you’re about to compete and those doubts creep in, remind yourself: “I might not feel ready, but I am ready.” Step out there, work hard, and trust in your preparation. You’ve got this!

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00] Introduction to the episode: Addressing the common feeling of not being ready to compete and shares strategies to overcome it.

[01:00] Shoutout to Ava, a hockey player from Arlington, MA, who’s thriving on her new team, showing leadership, confidence, and effort on and off the ice!

[02:00] Exploring reasons athletes feel unready, such as nerves before big competitions, expectations, or just feeling off.

[03:00] The difference between feeling ready and being ready, and why readiness is a choice, not a feeling.

[04:00] Mindset shift. How champions think differently by choosing readiness instead of waiting for the right feelings.

[05:00] Practical steps to choose readiness. working hard, focusing on what you can control, being a good teammate, and taking coaching.

[06:00] Emphasis on consistency. Showing up every day in practice prepares you to choose readiness in competition.

[07:00] Benefits of feeling ready. Aligning a feeling of readiness with intentional choices for peak performance.

[08:00] Strategies from the Elite Mental Game program. Using personalized pre-game routines and finding your ideal “hype number” for optimal competition performance.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms – How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter’s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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