A fundamental contradiction exists between the motivations propelling us toward success and our natural responses to situations. We all find ourselves teetering between the pedestal (of pride/hubris), the pit (of despair), and the mediocre middle (stagnation). After success, we naturally feel pride in our achievements. After defeat, we naturally feel despair for our failings. When everything is going as expected, we get comfortable with a lack of striving for progress. None of these conditions are ideal for creating future success. Hence, managing this internal struggle is vital for developing over time. Self-regulation is a powerful mental skill which allows players to maintain the ideal mindset for long-term performance. This means humbling oneself after success, retaining confidence after failure and avoiding becoming overly comfortable when sailing in the calm.
In the face of setbacks, the pit of despair is a natural state where morale is momentarily lost. The analogy of crossing a busy motorway captures the essence of the pit of despair. In order to cross the road, focus is required to make smart decisions. Falling into despair is akin to not even attempting to cross the road at all, or giving up half way due to the exaggerated fear of failure. This means that you fail to get to the other side through an eventual giving up on your own terms. At minimum you do not achieve your goal, worse you get caught in a crash. In Football, or anything in life, we must face fears head on and avoid succumbing to the pit. When a challenge seems great, and setbacks are many, it is increasing wisdom and willpower that allow for success, not despair.
Balancing self-belief and an understanding of this nature against natural inclinations is critical for sustained success. The most prominent technique to self-regulate away from the pit of despair is reminding yourself that defeat presents an opportunity for growth, a chance to enhance the prospects of future success. Any loss or poor performance is fleeting and not a permanent setback. In the grand scheme of a football career, with potentially hundreds of games ahead, a single loss is just a momentary dip.
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