Be Where Your Feet Are
While performing, focus on the process and not the outcome. Be fully involved in the present moment, by being where your feet are, and not think about potential results. By focusing on the process, we ask ourselves, “What actions do I need to focus on right now to make a successful play?” rather than thinking “I need to make this play.” Next time you’re on the field, focus on the things that you need to do to get the outcome you want. Take action!
If we focus on the specific actions that need to be done, the results should follow. This mindset keeps you focused pitch by pitch, or play by play, and away from distractions. For example, let’s just say you messed up when catching a ground ball. You didn’t make a successful play. Your coach corrects what you should have done, you understand, and they move on to hitting the next ground ball to your teammate. When it isn’t your turn to field a ground ball, focus your attention on your teammate who is fielding. Put all your focus on them instead of dwelling on what you just did. Putting your focus towards someone else will help you move on faster and not think about the past.
This mindset also keeps you focused on making smaller improvements. “Trust the Process” is my favorite quote because you’re not supposed to see results right away. By focusing on what you need to do each day to improve by getting 1% better each day, your small improvements will start to snowball over time and you’ll soon see the big results. The greatest athletes don’t just wake up and be great. They all started somewhere and made small improvements each day to get where they are now. Enjoy your process and don’t worry about the final score or outcome until it’s over.
I like to be intrinsically motivated and focus on mastering my craft. I like to constantly see improvements and do things that will make me improve because I know it will make me better in the end and make me feel good about my performance. The opposite is being extrinsically motivated meaning you’re motivated by the results to earn a reward or to avoid punishment. By focusing on how to get better, and not worry about my results or statistics, I enjoy the game more. Usually, focusing on the process attracts great outcomes on the outside.
Action plan:
Check yourself if you are intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. Are you worrying about the outcome because you will run if you don’t do well? Are you constantly looking at your batting average? Are you rushing the process of learning something new? Are you constantly thinking about what others are thinking of you? Then you’re extrinsically motivated. This isn’t a horrible thing. There are some instances where being extrinsically motivated is the only option for you, and that’s okay if that’s the outcome you want. Usually, these things are short lived and it was doing something because you had to or didn’t enjoy it.
On the other hand, are you motivated because you truly enjoy what you are doing? Do you know that changes in improvement take time? Do you want to feel good about your performance? Do you want to reach your full potential and play on a good team? Then you are intrinsically motivated. When it comes to performing on the field, being intrinsically motivated will be stronger and longer lasting. Performing without thinking of the outside rewards will make things more fun because there is less pressure.
Be in the moment. It can be hard to always be in the present moment. It’s human to be in our head at times and be “checked out” and let our mind wander. We can control this though. If we often check on ourselves and ask ourselves if we are in the moment, the better we will be about this. As with anything, the more you practice at something, the better you will be. With this being said, stopping yourselves a few times a day and taking a mindful moment will make you better. Stop yourself, and recognize what you’re thinking about and why. Are you worried about the future or reliving the past? Observe what you are feeling, accept the feeling, and stop feeding it. Easier said than done, but with practice it will get easier. Focus on other things, like your breathing and the things around you. Check yourself back in the present moment and keep going!
