OMG did you hear what they said?

You know that voice? The one saying…

You’re not talented enough. You’re not fast enough. Or maybe even you’re never going to be enough.

That’s your inner opponent. And it’s a liar.

Mine sure is.

In order to access your full potential, that voice needs to shut the 🤬 up. Or at least quiet down so you can be the best athlete, parent, coach, professional (i.e. human) you can be.

Calling that inner opponent out, by name if need be, is how you begin to separate it from the person you are and the person you want to be.

Take a few moments to think about your inner opponent. Get in touch with that voice. You know the one.

Consider:

• What’s the thing it says most?

• How do you feel when it surfaces?

• Is that something you would ever say to a friend?

My guess is no. For example, I would never tell my friend and teammate she’ll never be good enough to make the team next year. That would break her. Also - how do I know? A lot can happen between now and then. And if we heard someone else saying that to our friend we would be like, OMG - did you hear what she said? Then probably move into action to defend our friend.

The point is…

If I wouldn’t tell my best friend that - why should I accept that kind of talk from my inner opponent? Protect yourself like you’d stick up for your friend.

Are negative thoughts going to come up? Absolutely.

That’s completely normal.

Powerful humans recognize those thoughts for what they are - a bunch of crap from an unreliable source.

Your inner opponent is just trying to knock you off your game. It’s what it lives for.

The next time that inner opponent voice starts chirping start by recognizing it for what it is - and what it is not. It’s not the truth. AND, you can totally beat it.

BTW: It’s super helpful to give your inner opponent a name (one that’s NOT of someone you know). What comes up for you?

Mine’s name is Thanos. An arrogant, smug know-it-all who believes his way is the only way. Uhhhh no thanks, bruh.