Confidence

I think one of the ultimate muscles to build is confidence. Confidence is simple trust that you can do the task required to meet the desired end goal. In physicality, this is usually the mind tricking itself to get out of the way. Mental judgment lets go and trusts the body’s work.

A golfer friend of mine told me a sport psychology trick helps hardwire visualization into action. “Watch the ball go in the hole.” He put about 5-6 balls about 6 inches away from the cup and started tapping them in. After he sinks about 20 or so, he will back up six inches and taps in another 20. Over and over he watches the ball go in the hole from manageable positions on the green. This helps keep his stroke fluid and helps keep himself out of his head. So he can practice without reaction either positive or negative.

In basketball, one could apply this by starting with layups and slowly moving away from the rim as confidence builds.

When I practice guitar, I often start playing the simplest of chords I can play without looking at the fretboard. As I start to build up trust that I will land where I want them, I slowly move into harder chord progressions. My body becomes less tense as the confidence allows my rational mind to let go and allow the music to come through. The tension my body feels playing B minor tells me I need less judgement in my practice playing that chord.

Let’s say you want to develop a personal practice or habit. Start small and watch yourself show up for yourself. As you become adept at showing up, feel free to add complexity or duration to your self practice. Whether it is meditation or tai chi or writing, it doesn’t matter. The psychology simply tells the body, this is what I am doing now. Consistency / Time = Results

It’s so easy to lose your confidence, but the beauty of moving back closer to the hole, is that it’s easy to get back.