Building confidence, controlling emotions, and leading with trust
Hey, team, happy Sunday!
This week, we’re tackling confidence, emotional control, and leadership—because mental performance isn’t just about skill; it’s about how you handle the game.
Table of Contents
For Athletes: Confidence Comes From Preparation, Not Hype
3 Ways to Build Unshakable Confidence
Confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create. Train with intensity so you can compete with certainty.
What you tell yourself matters. Speak to yourself like a great teammate, not a harsh critic.
Small wins stack up. Focus on daily progress, not instant perfection.
2 Quotes to Strengthen Your Mindset
Usain Bolt: "I trained 4 years to run 9 seconds. Some people give up when they don’t see results in 2 months."
Mia Hamm: "Confidence takes constant nurturing. It’s not a ‘fake it till you make it’ thing, it’s a ‘work until you believe it’ thing."
1 Question to Reflect On
What’s one action you can take today to boost your confidence for game day?
For Parents: Help Your Athlete Control Their Emotions
3 Ways to Teach Emotional Resilience
Athletes mirror your energy. If you stay composed after a bad game, they learn to do the same.
Don’t rush to “fix” their frustration. Sometimes, they just need space before they’re ready to reflect.
Praise their effort, not just their performance. Confidence grows when they know their hard work matters—even when results don’t go their way.
2 Quotes to Keep in Mind
Kobe Bryant: "Rest at the end, not in the middle."
Billie Jean King: "Champions adjust, and pressure is a privilege."
1 Question to Reflect On
Do your reactions to your athlete’s performance build their confidence or shake it?
For Coaches: Trust Builds Stronger Teams Than Fear
3 Ways to Lead With Trust Instead of Control
The best teams are built on trust, not fear. Athletes perform better when they know you believe in them—even when they struggle.
Give them ownership. Let them set goals, hold each other accountable, and take responsibility for their effort.
Correct mistakes without crushing confidence. Great coaching is about challenging athletes while keeping them motivated to improve.
2 Quotes to Inspire Your Leadership
John Wooden: "A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment."
Tom Landry: "Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve."
1 Question to Reflect On
Are you coaching with trust and belief, or control and fear?
Want to help your circle improve? Share this newsletter.
Until next week, keep building your mindset.
David Lovell
Mental Performance Coach | Creator of the F.O.C.U.S. System
Looking for more ways to grow? Follow us on Instagram for daily tips: https://www.instagram.com/dlovell88/
