Better than Confidence

Confidence comes and goes. One can win, or lose, having it. However, the following trait must be present to win. Of course, it’s easier to have this when one is self-assured (confident).

I thank God it showed in the nick of time before the most outstanding baseball play of my life. Here is how it went down. Playing second base as always, I roamed about fifteen feet to my left, got in front of the ball, caught it, and made a thirty-foot toss to first base to record the out. The play was routine, and any high school player would have made it. “That’s not great,” you might say? Well, messing that up would have changed my life, and not for the better – that’s great in my book.

The circumstance made the play my career-best, by far. The Houston Astros had runners on the corners with two outs, the ninth inning, and my team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, were up by one run. The game was on national TV, and we had to win to get within one game of the division lead with just one game remaining to the season.

Being a ballplayer who rarely had self-confidence, especially at the highest level of professional baseball, my preference was a strikeout or the ball going to one of my teammates. Despite that and the good news, my mind went into a relaxed state with intense focus. Nothing else was in existence at that moment except concentration on the ball. When the ball came my way, with no hesitation, I made the play as if in my backyard when young. What was that state of mind? Poise! People recognize poise when they see it but often cannot define it. One can describe it in many ways. One, the dictionary definition, is a state of balance. Two, composure. Three, my definition, is the ability to slow things down in the heat of the moment with a positive sense of knowing one is the right person for this moment.”

It often seems like some athletes have it and others do not. Some athletes shy away from the spotlight in certain situations and games, whereas others feel that “the time is their time.” The best news is that one can learn to be poised, with experience being the leading teacher.

Want poise? Start with these!

1.  Clear out negative thoughts, especially of the possibility of messing up.

2.  Stay within yourself by knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Poise comes with knowing oneself.

3.  Understand your physical stability is the beginning of mental equilibrium. Your facial expressions and body language mean a lot. The capacity to feel composed helps relaxation and confidence.

4. Prepare enough with hard work, which aids in the belief of self. Expectations of success are better than having hope it will come.

5. Positive affirmations work - “Right place, right time” - encourages.

6. Breathe! A deep breath beforehand and throughout the process helps focus and relaxation.

7. Visualize. Seeing success before it happens is crucial. People who believe no matter the circumstances, they will win develop the highest mental state of balance.

8. Live one hundred percent in the moment. The ability to stay in the moment during tight situations blocks out pessimistic thoughts, allowing for focus.

Finally, all the above bring the ability to concentrate and relax no matter what – Poise.