Buzz
Any physically demanding activity is also a test of mental resilience. By the time you reach the seventh mile of a 10-mile run, your mind will attempt to convince you to stop. The key to finishing that run is having a clear reason and strategy to continue. The same applies when adding weight to the bar for your final set of heavy deadlifts or pushing through the remaining burpees in your CrossFit workout. What we tell ourselves matters.
But... what should you tell yourself? Some runners like to repeat a mantra, something like “Run fast, run relaxed,” syncing it with their steps or breath. But when things get tough, your mind will wander. You need a motivational speech.
I realized years ago that I’m more skilled at boosting the confidence of others than I am at building my own. I remember struggling during a roller derby practice—I was a mid-level player trying to keep up with a more advanced team—and then I recalled giving the exact pep talk I needed at that moment to a new skater just days before. It went something like this: no one expects you to be the best player right now, we just need you to show that you’re committed to getting better, no matter what.
From that point forward, I began adopting the mindset of a coach when speaking to myself. I’d say things like, “You’ve got this,” or “It’s okay that X is going wrong, that’s perfectly normal. Here’s how to handle it.” If someone else had given me great advice, I’d mentally replay their words as if they were speaking directly to me.
There’s even scientific evidence supporting this approach. As Alex Hutchinson writes for Outside, using second-person self-talk (“you” instead of “I”) appears to benefit athletes, according to several studies. In one study, researchers had cyclists exercise and then note the thoughts going through their minds. They rephrased those thoughts into a positive frame, using second-person pronouns whenever possible. The early results were promising, showing that cyclists performed better with second-person self-talk.
So the next time you're struggling, speak to yourself as if you were coaching an imaginary athlete. And try using some of the phrases from the study: You can do it. You’re strong. You’ve got the determination. You can push through the pain. You will triumph.
