Mastering Self-Talk: The Ultimate Guide to Staying Focused and Confident

Join host Valerie Alston in this episode of Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations as she explores the power of self-talk and its impact on performance. Valerie introduces the P3 formula—Purposeful, Productive, and Possibility focused self-talk—to help athletes and parents build effective internal dialogue. From sharing a Stanford study on mindset to providing actionable tips and examples from various sports, this episode aims to help young athletes enhance their mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. Tune in for insightful questions and discussions to make each car ride a valuable opportunity for growth.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Talk

00:59 The Power of Mindset

05:30 The P3 Formula for Effective Self-Talk

08:23 Instructional vs. Motivational Self-Talk

10:10 Creating Your Game Day Script

13:23 Interactive Q&A Session

16:50 Conclusion and Next Steps

Discussion questions:

1. What do you usually say to yourself before or during a game? Does it help or hurt?
2. If you could write down your top 3 game day phrases, what would they be?
3. Do you like self-talk that tells you what to do (instructional) or that pumps you up (motivational)?
4. How can I (as your parent/coach) remind you of your P3 self-talk without adding pressure?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

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For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

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Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

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