How to get an elite athlete sports mentality

An elite athlete sports mentality is a concept that I often talk about with my coach and athlete clients. Everyone wants to gain a mental edge in sports performance, but what exactly do those mental training and success outcomes look like? 

Elite athletes like Serena Williams, Tom Brady, and Novak Djokovic have all publicly spoken about their mental training. But even if you’re not a household name, you can benefit from a sports mentality. From weekend warriors like pickleball players and golfers to professionals and executives, the mindset of an elite athlete can elevate your performance. 

What is an elite athlete sports mentality?

Elite athlete mentality is more than just being mentally tough. It’s about learning how to not just win, but how to handle yourself when things aren’t going your way. It’s also about how you practice, how you manage grueling schedules, how you show up, and how you handle the pressure to perform. It’s building a disciplined state of mind that helps you do your best as you work your process to reach your goals. 

Think about all that goes into the game from the referees to the fans to your coaches and teammates, and even your opponents. Plus, travel, time zone changes, time away from family, and a whole lot more. There are unlimited variables that can affect your mindset.

For all these reasons and more, being an elite athlete is a ton to process mentally. A true elite athlete sports mentality requires ongoing training and commitment. 

How do you get a sports mentality?

Gaining a sports mentality takes time, effort, and discipline. It also takes surrounding yourself with the right people and resources. Many elite athletes hire mental performance coaches as part of their teams or participate in mental training programs for this very reason. 

If you’re looking to get started building your elite sports mentality, here are some tips:

1. Be open. There is a saying that the three most dangerous words in the NFL are, “I’ve got it.” In the practice of mindfulness, there is a key attitude called “beginner’s mind,” which Jon Kabat-Zinn defines as being receptive to new possibilities, which prevents us from getting stuck in the rut of our own expertise. The idea is to remain coachable, but also curious. This is the same reason why Kobe Bryant famously would call highly successful people.

“I’ll just cold call people, absolutely. I’ll just cold call people and pick their brain about stuff. Some of the questions that I’ll ask will seem really, really simple and stupid, quite honestly, for them. But if I don’t know, I don’t know. You have to ask. I’ll just do that. I’ll just ask questions and I want to know more about how they build their businesses and how they run their companies and how they see the world.” –

Kobe Bryant

2. Tell the truth. Renowned performance mindset coach Trevor Moawad famously coined the term “neutral thinking.” Part of that process is to look at any given situation for what it is. Look for the facts. In mindfulness, this is the key attitude of non-judging. The point is to reframe negative self-talk by seeing what’s really going on. Rather than judging it or yourself (i.e., self-criticism or when you’re focused on how you’re doing vs what you’re doing), you accept it for what it is and take the next best step in the present moment. For example, maybe you’re not performing well in a game. Instead of making judgments about your performance (there will be time for reflection later), or allowing negative self-talk to take over, accept what it is, and refocus on the present moment. Do what you can right now. The key to performance is not to analyze the past, allow doubt to set in, or worry about the future outcome. It’s to do your best right now with what’s in front of you.

3. Be patient. Most people have goals, but most people also get distracted by setbacks and give up. Be patient with the process focusing on doing what you can do each day. Develop small habits that will add up over time. Do the little things that others aren’t willing to do, and eventually, you’ll likely outperform them. If you consistently improve by 1%, eventually that’s going to add up to 100%. If you put in 20 extra minutes of practice than your teammates 3 days a week, that’s 60 extra minutes of practice a week, or 3,120 extra minutes of practice a year.

4. Have undeniable motivation. What is it that is going to keep you going when things get tough? What is the real reason for your goal? Some people call it your “why.” Whatever you choose to call it, it has to be an undeniable motivation that no matter the circumstance will push you to keep going. Maybe it’s to live out a lifelong dream, or maybe it’s to provide for your family. It has to be something that when you think about it, it strikes a chord that drives you. Whatever it is, the key is to dig deep and really get clear on what’s in your heart and soul. Hint: if your motivation is solely to prove something to someone else, you’re actually giving away your power. You won’t be fully focused on yourself because you’ll be worried about someone else’s judgment. Your motivation has to be about what you want for yourself. If you end up proving others wrong in the process, that’s a secondary benefit and part of the game of success.

5. Focus. Learning how to lock in and focus is essential to an elite athlete sports mentality. With so much going on in your personal life, and in your life as an athlete, distractions are everywhere. A major advantage that elite performers have is they know how to block out distractions and focus. (Check out the Locked In eBook for more guidance on how to focus.)

6. Build your team. Your results may be a product of your effort, but the elite athletes of the world know that you can’t do it all on your own. You need a team and the right circle around you. Take a look at the company you keep from friends to your physical training team to your mental performance training coach, and more. Is everyone aligned with helping you achieve your goal? There is no room for distractions.

Developing this type of mentality takes time and training. It also takes ongoing dedication to the development of your mindset, and the willingness to be disciplined in letting poor thought habits go and choosing a growth mindset. 

Our programs are designed to help you walk through a system of steps to learn how to develop an elite athlete mindset while also addressing your personal needs. Connect with us to learn more.