Psychological Factors in Sports

This is a short episode where leadership is the topic that Paula Eddy Wilcox and I discuss, specifically looking at vulnerability in leaders, coaches or managers.  From a mental toughness angle this links with a number of the measures from Peter Cloughs 4Cs Model of Mental Toughness.  Namely, interpersonal confidence and being comfortable in yourself when you communicate to others, to emotional control where we can choose to or not, express our thoughts and emotions to other people.  As well as, risk orientation, where we can decide to stretch ourselves or remain comfortable and learning orientation, where we can look to learn from mistakes.  Enjoy tuning in!

Key Learning Points:

• One way to explain whether you choose to show your vulnerable side or not is to focus on it from the lens of a P-I-E perspective, Performance, Image and Exposure.
• With 10% performance, 30% image and 60% exposure accounting for this.  In terms of exposure, are you putting yourself out there and being vulnerable in a leadership role?
• Be honest about how you are and how you show up.  Are you too comfortable in the way you go about things?
• Mentors and coaches can help you get more comfortable with the uncomfortable.
• A fixed mindset can prevent you from showing vulnerability.
• There are links with showing vulnerability and psychological safety.

Connect with Paula Eddy-Wilcox

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Other Useful Podcast Episodes

Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport

Ep075: Grant Phyphers – How to Rebuild Your Identity

Ep106: Amy Rowlinson – Why is knowing my WHY important?

Ep123: Richard Dorney MBE – Supporting People: What Can You Learn About Resilience From The Military

Ep128: Paula Eddy-Wilcox – Can You Show Vulnerability and Be Mentally Tough? Yes!

Other Useful Resources

Blog – 5 Ways to Create a Psychological Safe Sporting Environment

Blog – 3 Tips to Deal with Bullying in Sport

Blog – How to Find Your Why 

Blog – Mental Health Guidance for Coaches When Supporting Athletes

Vlog – How mental toughness helps us understand psychological safety

In episode #177 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, Lisa Avery, a positive psychology practitioner talks to me about how to help young people flourish using a positive psychology approach.  In our conversation we focus on a measure of mental toughness, life control, which links to having a “can do” attitude towards life.  We discuss identifying and cultivating positive emotions, character strengths, and virtues that contribute towards a feel good factor and overcoming our negativity bias as well as a lot more.

Key Learning Points:

• Arguably, here in the UK we are behind countries like the USA and Australia in our use of positive psychology approaches when supporting young people.
• We all have a negativity bias in our brains where we are quick to notice the bad stuff not the good.
• In order to get to the point of being comfortable in your own skin, and valuing yourself and your personality traits, you’ve got to know who you are.
• In schools and colleges the starting point is always to work with the staff, usually the senior leadership team.
• Dr. Susan David speaks about the fact that if you know what your values are, every time you need to make a decision.  You should simply ask yourself, “is what I’m about to say or do going to take me closer or further away from where I want to be?”.
• The central framework to positive psychology comes from Dr Martin Seligman’s work. He says that in order to thrive, human beings need positive emotions, a sense of engagement in their work and life, great relationships, a sense of meaning or purpose, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Abraham Maslow states “we either step forwards into growth or step back backwards into safety.”
• Do you focus on the strengths of your kids or their weaknesses? This questionnaire will help you. – https://www.leawaters.com/sbp-quiz

Connect with Lisa Avery

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Connect with David Charlton

Sign Up to The Mental Edge

Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

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5 Relevant Podcast Episodes

Ep134: David Charlton – Observations: 3 Things That Stop You Achieving Your Goals

Ep106: Amy Rowlinson – Why is knowing my WHY important?

Ep098: Jon Bartlett – Do You Know Your Why? 

Ep075: Grant Phyphers – How to Rebuild Your Identity

Ep021: Steve Hackney – How to Reach Your Full Potential

5 Valuable resources that can help you build a “can do” attitude

Blog: Make Better Decisions to Help Your Sport Performance a Values List   

Conversations with Kids – Values

Children and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz for Children

Child and Youth Motivation Quiz for Parents

Performance Profile for Goalkeepers

In today’s episode, I share a short yet very important extract from episode 122, where Professor Camilla Knight chats to me about the wellbeing of sporting children, communication between children and parents, parental stressors, as well as touching on self-care as a parent.

Key Learning Points

• The sporting environment will naturally shape the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of children.
• Understanding what your child’s typical behaviours are, is really important to be aware of, as you can then start to notice when their behaviours start to change.
• Regular conversations with children are key, understanding your child as an individual whilst not getting drawn into comparing them to others.
• An exclusive athletic identity too early for children can be detrimental.
• Parents have to deal with their own time and financial stressors which isn’t easy for some.
• It’s vital to recognise that the parent-child relationship is a relationship and that it is bi-directional.

Connect with Professor Camilla Knight

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Connect with David Charlton

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Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

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Podcast episodes related to the youth sport experience

Ep049: James Maurice – How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help 

Ep082: David Charlton – Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback

Ep122: Prof Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences

Ep131 David Charlton – How to Deal with Self-Criticism using Self Compassion – FINAL PART

Ep141: David Charlton – How to Help a Child Who Wants to Quit Sport

Blogs and case studies to support kids in sport

Blog 3 Tips to Help Children Enjoy Their Sport

Blog: Pre Match Tips for Parents

Blog: How does Counselling work in Professional Sport?

Blog: 5 Reasons Why Being Released from a Football Academy is Difficult

Case Study: How to Cope with Performance Anxiety in Gymnastics

Case Study: Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome His Fears

Further resources for parents

Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video’s)

Sport Psychology for Children and Parents

Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz

Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz