In short: It is time to reach out when your mind starts limiting what your body already knows how to do: you perform much better in practice than in competition, one mistake lasts the whole game, or nerves freeze you.
Mental performance coaching is not only about solving a crisis. These seven signs suggest that training your mind could make a real difference.
1. You perform better in practice than in competition
If everything works in practice and you don't recognize yourself in games, the gap is rarely technical: it is how you handle pressure.
2. One mistake lasts the whole game
Mistakes are part of sport. What you can train is how long you stay stuck on them.
3. Nerves freeze you
Some activation is good. When nerves take away your sleep, your appetite or your clarity, it is worth working on them.
4. You compare yourself all the time
Watching others to learn helps; comparing yourself to measure your worth hurts.
5. You lost your drive
If training stopped being enjoyable and you don't know why, it is worth pausing to look at what is going on.
6. Coming back from injury scares you
Medical clearance and mental readiness don't always arrive together.
7. Outside pressure weighs on you
Coaches, family, the club, social media: when the outside gets inside the game, it is time for boundaries and tools.
Sound familiar?
Take the 2-minute quiz or read what a mental performance coach does.
FAQ
Do I have to be struggling to reach out?
No. Many athletes reach out to improve their performance or prepare for a big competition.
What if it goes beyond sport?
If what you are going through affects your life in general, I will suggest you also see a licensed mental health professional in your state. Mental performance coaching is not therapy.
