How Mentally Tough Are You? - March 2023
So, what is mental toughness? Mental toughness is your ability to manage and overcome doubts, worries, concerns, and circumstances that prevent you from succeeding or reaching a performance outcome that you set out to achieve.
There are 6 different pillars of mental toughness:
one’s ability to bounce back from mistakes;
one’s ability to manage nerves and pressure;
one’s ability to have a laser focus;
one’s ability to have confidence;
one’s ability to have motivation; and
being mentally well.
Here is a short quiz to help you reflect on what areas of mental toughness are your strengths and areas that you might need some help on! This is a great reflection tool to use as you’re heading into states, regionals, and nationals! Hopefully, you will better understand where you are regarding the mental game!
Question 1:
Ability to Bounce Back from Mistakes
A. I get down on myself when I mess up in meets.
B. It's easy for me to let go of my mistakes.
Question 2:
Ability to Manage Nerves and Pressure
A. I get too nervous to really perform to my potential.
B. I can keep myself calm and composed under pressure.
Question 3:
Ability to have a laser focus.
A. I think too much about what could go wrong right before and during the performance, (the "what if's").
B. I have no trouble focusing on what's important and blocking everything else out.
Question 4:
Confidence
A. I tend to compare myself too much with other gymnasts.
B. One or two failures do not shake my confidence.
Question 5:
Motivation
A. I find myself just going through the motions a lot in practice.
B I think about how today's practice will help me get to my goals
Question 6:
Mental Health
A. I believe asking for help is a sign of weakness and I prefer to keep my problems and bigger emotions to myself.
B. When I am having a tough time, I have trusted adults I feel comfortable talking to and I am willing to open up about my struggles.
If you answered B, you are probably doing ok in that subset of mental toughness. If you answered A, that might be an area you want to work on! Again, this is just a short quiz and is in no way an evaluation! This quiz was just a tool to get you to reflect on different areas of your mental game.
Lastly, if you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to a professional or a trusted adult who can get you in touch with a professional. Below are crisis lines that can be used if someone is in a mental health crisis.
Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 74174
Suicide Hotline: 988
Go to your local ER or call 911
If you or your gymnast would like more support, check out my coaching services on my website.