Chris Mance II - Mental Skills Coach

In the world of sports, humility is often seen as a virtue. Athletes are coached to be gracious in defeat and modest in victory. Growing up as an athlete, I was socialized to believe that being humble was a preferred virtue. For most of my life, I viewed humility as an essential character trait for all great athletes. However, my perspective has evolved since becoming a mental skills coach. I now understand that being humble is not only overrated but also counterproductive to an athlete’s growth and success.

Why Humility is Counterproductive:

While it may seem like blasphemy to question the value of humility, there are compelling reasons to view it as counterproductive in the context of athlete development. Here are a few key considerations:

1) Diminishing Self-Belief:

Humility, when taken to an extreme, can lead athletes to downplay their abilities and undermine their self-confidence. By constantly reminding athletes to be humble, we inadvertently send the message that their accomplishments are not significant or worthy of recognition. This can erode their belief in their own capabilities and hinder their motivation to strive for greatness.

2) Limiting Growth Mindset:

Emphasizing humility can inadvertently foster a fixed mindset rather than a growth mindset. Athletes may start to view their skills and achievements as fixed traits rather than areas that can be improved through effort and dedication. This can create a sense of complacency, stifling their drive to push boundaries and continually seek improvement.

3) Neglecting Personal Agency:

Humility, when misinterpreted, may lead athletes to believe that they have little control over their success. By attributing their achievements solely to external factors or luck, athletes may neglect the importance of their own hard work, dedication, and decision-making. This can limit their sense of personal agency and hinder their ability to take ownership of their performance and growth.

4) Hindering Risk-Taking and Innovation:

Humility can sometimes discourage athletes from taking risks or pursuing innovative approaches. When athletes are constantly reminded to be humble, they may become more risk-averse, fearing failure or the potential backlash of appearing overconfident. This aversion to risk can stifle creativity, limit exploration of new strategies, and hinder breakthrough performances.

5) Impact on Mental Toughness:

Humility, when internalized excessively, can undermine an athlete’s mental toughness. While it is important to demonstrate respect for opponents and maintain a sense of sportsmanship, an excessive focus on humility may prevent athletes from developing the mental resilience necessary to bounce back from setbacks, handle pressure, and persist through challenges.

It is crucial to strike a balance between humility and self-belief, recognizing the value of humility without allowing it to overshadow an athlete’s confidence, drive, and growth potential. Instead of prioritizing humility, athletes can benefit from embracing a mindset that encompasses resilience, confidence, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Stoicism offers the solution to create this mindset. By shifting the focus from humility to stoicism, athletes can develop the mental tools necessary to thrive in the face of challenges. Stoicism teaches individuals to cultivate inner strength, resilience, and a calm acceptance of life’s adversities. It encourages athletes to adopt a mindset that emphasizes personal growth, determination, and a focus on what they can control. Embracing stoicism enables athletes to navigate setbacks with grace, maintain confidence in their abilities, and persevere in the pursuit of their highest potential. Rather than being consumed by external validation or constantly seeking humility, stoicism empowers athletes to develop an unshakeable sense of self and the mental fortitude to excel in the face of adversity.

What is Stoicism?

Stoicism is an ancient philosophical school of thought that originated in Greece and flourished during the Roman Empire. Developed by philosophers such as Zeno of Citium, Epictetus, and Seneca, Stoicism offers a practical framework for navigating life’s challenges, cultivating inner strength, and achieving a state of tranquility.

At its core, Stoicism emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s emotions and accepting the things that are beyond our control. It teaches individuals to develop a strong sense of self-discipline, resilience, and a rational approach to life. Stoics believe that by focusing on the aspects within our control and accepting external circumstances with equanimity, we can lead a life of virtue, wisdom, and tranquility.

Stoicism and its Relation to Sports

While Stoicism is often associated with personal development and ethical living, its principles can also be applied to the realm of sports. The Stoic philosophy offers valuable insights and practical techniques that can help athletes enhance their performance and navigate the challenges they face in their sporting endeavors.

Emotion Regulation:

In sports, emotions can run high, and intense emotional reactions can hinder performance. Stoicism teaches athletes the importance of emotional regulation by encouraging them to detach themselves from the immediate emotional response and adopt a more rational perspective. By maintaining a sense of calm and composure, athletes can make clearer decisions, stay focused, and perform at their best, regardless of the circumstances.

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

Epictetus

Focus on the Controllable:

Stoicism emphasizes the idea of focusing on what is within our control. In sports, there are many external factors that athletes cannot influence, such as the actions of their opponents, the decisions of referees, or the expectations of others. By directing their attention and effort towards the aspects they can control, such as their own preparation, mindset, and performance, athletes can maintain a sense of agency and avoid being consumed by external pressures.

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

Marcus Aurelius

Acceptance of Setbacks:

Setbacks and failures are inevitable in sports. Stoicism teaches athletes to approach these setbacks with acceptance and to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing the Stoic concept of “amor fati” (love of fate), athletes can cultivate resilience, bounce back from disappointments, and use setbacks as fuel for future success.

“The obstacle is the way.”

Marcus Aurelius

Virtuous Competition:

Stoicism places great importance on virtues such as integrity, humility, and fair play. In sports, these virtues can guide athletes to compete with honor and respect for both themselves and their opponents. By adhering to virtuous principles, athletes can maintain their integrity, cultivate positive sportsmanship, and enhance the overall quality of their sporting experiences.

“We should engage in contests of virtue as in contests of athletic skill. We should not be angry if we are defeated, but should be content if we have competed with all our strength. For the one who competes with virtue is never defeated, even if he is not victorious. He who competes for victory may be victorious, but he may also be defeated. But the one who competes with virtue is always victorious, even if he is defeated.”

Seneca

“It is not enough to win; others must lose.”

Epictetus

Mental Toughness:

Stoicism helps athletes develop mental toughness by training them to endure adversity, handle pressure, and persevere in the face of challenges. Stoics embrace discomfort and view it as an opportunity for personal growth and character development. By adopting a stoic mindset, athletes can build mental resilience, rise above obstacles, and maintain their focus and determination even in the most demanding situations.

“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.”

Seneca

Incorporating Stoic principles into sports can empower athletes to perform at their best while fostering a sense of inner peace, self-discipline, and virtue. By learning to regulate their emotions, focus on the controllable, accept setbacks, compete virtuously, and develop mental toughness, athletes can navigate the complexities of sports with grace and achieve their highest potential. Stoicism offers athletes a practical philosophy to guide their mindset and approach to sport, enabling them to embrace challenges and achieve success with equanimity.

Examples of Stoic Athletes

There are many examples of stoic athletes and coaches in the world of sports. Some of the most well-known include:

Chandra Crawford: 

Crawford is a former Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing. She is known for her mental toughness and her ability to stay focused even when she is facing adversity. In an interview, Crawford said that she learned about stoicism from her father, who was a military man. She said that stoicism helped her to deal with the pressure of competing at the Olympics and to stay positive even when she was facing challenges.

Bill Belichick: 

Belichick is the head coach of the New England Patriots. He is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, having won six Super Bowls. Belichick has said that he is a fan of stoicism and that he tries to apply its principles to his coaching. Belichick says that stoicism has helped him to stay focused on the task at hand and to not let the emotions of the game get to him. In an article for The Athletic, Belichick said: “I think stoicism is a great philosophy for athletes. It teaches you to control your emotions and to focus on the things that you can control. It also teaches you to accept the things that you cannot control. This can be very helpful for athletes, especially in high-pressure situations.”

Belichick is not the only football coach who has spoken about the benefits of stoicism. Other coaches who have mentioned stoicism include Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

There are also a number of NFL players who have spoken about their own use of stoicism. These include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and J.J. Watt.

Dan Gable:

Gable is a former NCAA wrestling champion, Olympic gold medalist, and legendary NCAA wrestling coach. He is known for his mental toughness and his ability to instill stoic principles in his wrestlers. Gable has said that he is a fan of stoicism and that he tries to apply its principles to his coaching. Gable says that stoicism has helped him to create a culture of mental toughness in his wrestling program.

In the article “Dan Gable: The Stoic Wrestling Legend” by Chris Hunt published on The Players’ Tribune in an October 2017 issue, Gable states that “I’m a big believer in stoicism. It’s about controlling your emotions and not letting them control you. It’s about accepting what you can’t change and focusing on what you can change. That’s a big part of wrestling, and it’s a big part of life.”

Gable also talks about how he learned about stoicism from his father, who was a military man and stresses that stoicism helped him to deal with the pressure of competing in wrestling and to stay focused even when he was facing adversity. Gable believes that stoicism can help wrestlers to be more successful in wrestling and in life.

How to Coach Athletes to be Stoic

There are a few ways to teach stoicism to athletes. One way is to simply talk to them about Stoic philosophy and explain the benefits of it. Another way is to give them books or articles to read about stoicism. You can also incorporate stoic exercises into their training regimen.

For example, a coach could follow these specific steps:

1) Introduce the Philosophy:

Start by providing athletes with an overview of Stoicism, its origins, key philosophers, and fundamental principles. Explain how Stoicism emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s emotions, focusing on what is within one’s control, and cultivating resilience in the face of challenges.

2) Relate Stoic Concepts to Sports:

Help athletes understand how Stoic principles can be applied to their sporting endeavors. Use relatable examples and stories from athletes who have embraced Stoicism in their careers. Show them how Stoicism can enhance their mental game, emotional well-being, and overall performance.

3) Emphasize the Dichotomy of Control:

Teach athletes to distinguish between things they can control and things they cannot. Encourage them to focus their energy and effort on aspects within their control, such as their mindset, preparation, and effort, rather than becoming consumed by external factors like outcomes or the actions of others.

4) Practice Mindfulness and Self-Reflection:

Introduce athletes to mindfulness techniques and practices that help them become more self-aware and present in the moment. Encourage them to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and reactions during training and competition, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and their mindset.

5) Cultivate Resilience and Acceptance:

Teach athletes to view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and character development. Emphasize the importance of accepting the things they cannot change and focusing on how they can respond to adversity in a constructive manner. Encourage them to embrace discomfort and see it as a pathway to personal growth and improvement.

6) Foster Virtuous Competition:

Highlight the virtues of integrity, fair play, and sportsmanship. Discuss how these virtues can guide athletes in their interactions with teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Encourage athletes to compete with honor, respect, and a commitment to uphold these virtuous principles.

7) Provide Practical Exercises and Tools:

Incorporate Stoic practices into athletes’ training routines. This may include journaling exercises to reflect on Stoic principles, visualization techniques to envision stoic behavior in challenging situations, and guided meditations to enhance mindfulness and emotional regulation.

8) Lead by Example:

As a coach or mentor, embody Stoic principles in your own behavior and interactions with athletes. Model resilience, emotional control, and virtuous conduct. Share personal experiences that illustrate the benefits of Stoicism in your own life and sporting journey.

Remember, teaching Stoicism to athletes is an ongoing process. It requires consistent reinforcement, practice, and a supportive environment. Encourage athletes to embrace Stoic principles both on and off the field, as they can have a profound impact on their mindset, performance, and personal development. By integrating Stoic teachings into their sporting lives, athletes can cultivate resilience, find inner strength, and achieve a sense of tranquility amidst the challenges and demands of their athletic pursuits.

Conclusion

I believe that stoicism is a better philosophy than humility for athletes. Stoicism can help athletes to stay calm under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive attitude. These are all qualities that can help athletes to achieve their full potential.

I encourage you to learn more about stoicism and to incorporate it into your own training regimen. You may be surprised at how much it can help you to improve your performance.