Confidence isn’t the issue holding you back—it’s the answer you’ve been searching for all along. Athletes think they need confidence to succeed, but the truth is, confidence is what fuels success, not what follows it. It’s the process, the work, the mindset that transforms confidence into your most powerful tool. Stop thinking confidence is something you lack, and start using it as your greatest asset. Here’s how to make that shift and tap into the confidence that will change your game.
1. Reframe the Narrative: Confidence is Earned, Not Given
Too many athletes see confidence as a gift handed out by circumstances. They believe that when they win, they’ll gain confidence. This belief is backward. In reality, confidence must be earned before you experience success. It’s about the consistent work you put in, day in and day out. You don’t become confident by accident—you build it like a muscle.
Tip: Set small daily goals you can control, like improving a specific skill or maintaining focus during practice. Achieving these incremental goals fuels confidence. Success becomes a byproduct of your effort, not the cause of it.
LeBron James: From Playoff Losses to Back-to-Back Championships
Lessons earned through effort and experience
LeBron James’ journey to building confidence wasn’t shaped by a single turning point, but by lessons he had to earn through effort and experience. In 2007, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, only to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs. This was just one chapter in a series of playoff disappointments. LeBron continued to fall short in critical moments, struggling to reach the top of the NBA.
In 2008, while training with Kobe Bryant for the U.S. Olympic team, LeBron absorbed a crucial lesson that would later become foundational to his growth. Kobe’s meticulous approach—his attention to detail in conditioning, footwork, and mental preparation—taught LeBron that confidence is earned through consistency in small, daily habits. But even with this lesson in mind, there was more for LeBron to learn.
In 2011, after another painful Finals loss with the Miami Heat against the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron faced another round of introspection. His struggles in that series exposed gaps in his post-play and confidence in big moments. Instead of letting this defeat define him, LeBron committed to more growth.
That offseason, LeBron worked with Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest post players in NBA history, to elevate his low-post game. Day after day, he focused on refining footwork and learning new post moves—incremental improvements that, over time, built the confidence he needed. These lessons weren’t handed to him; he had to earn them through relentless work.
By the time LeBron led the Heat to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, his confidence wasn’t built on the titles but on the years of learning and improvement. Each offseason represented another opportunity to get better, and through daily goals, he steadily earned the confidence that fueled his eventual success.
2. The Power of Positive Self-Talk
Your inner dialogue plays a pivotal role in your confidence. Too often, athletes fall into the trap of negative self-talk. They focus on mistakes, shortcomings, and what could go wrong. This negativity drains confidence like a leaky bucket. In contrast, positive self-talk reinforces confidence, filling that bucket back up.
Tip: Practice replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations. When doubt creeps in, counter it with statements like, “I’ve prepared for this,” or “I can handle any challenge.” This simple mental shift builds confidence over time.
Coco Gauff: Turning Doubt into a Grand Slam Victory
Positive self-talk fuels first Grand Slam win
After the 2022 US Open, Coco Gauff opened up about her struggles with self-doubt during matches. In earlier tournaments, her negative self-talk had affected her game. But in 2023, Gauff shifted her mindset, actively practicing positive self-talk during high-pressure moments. This mental change helped her claim her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open.
Gauff’s confidence didn’t just appear overnight—it was built through her ability to maintain self-belief in tough situations. By focusing on telling herself she could handle challenges, she overcame the mental hurdles that had previously held her back, turning self-doubt into a powerful tool for victory.
3. Visualization: See Success Before It Happens
Confidence isn’t just about what you do physically; it’s also about what you do mentally. Visualization is a powerful tool that allows athletes to mentally rehearse success before it happens. By visualizing yourself executing perfectly, you train your mind to expect success, which in turn breeds confidence.
Tip: Spend five minutes before each practice or competition imagining yourself succeeding. Picture every detail—the movements, the feelings, the reactions. This primes your brain for positive outcomes and strengthens your belief that you can execute when it counts.
Lindsey Vonn: Winning with the Power of Visualization
Olympic gold starts in the mind
Lindsey Vonn, one of the most decorated alpine ski racers in history, has spoken openly about her belief in visualization. Before each race, Vonn visualized every turn and outcome, mentally rehearsing her path to victory. This preparation was a key part of her success, including her 2010 Olympic gold.
Vonn’s use of visualization allowed her to maintain confidence even in high-pressure situations and challenging comebacks from injury. Seeing success in her mind first gave her the confidence to perform at her peak on race day.
4. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
Athletes often feel pressure to win or perform perfectly. However, this outcome-based mindset can sabotage confidence. When athletes focus solely on results, they magnify the pressure and anxiety. Confidence grows when you focus on the process—what you can control. Master the small, manageable tasks that lead to success, and the results will follow.
Tip: Break down your performance into smaller components. Focus on executing each one well, whether it’s your technique, your breathing, or your mindset during a game. When you control the controllables, confidence will naturally grow.
Steph Curry: Mastering the 3-Point Shot through Relentless Process
Revolutionizing the game one shot—and sprint—at a time
Steph Curry, widely regarded as the best 3-point shooter in NBA history, built his success through a relentless commitment to the process. Curry’s shooting routine is legendary: he regularly shoots hundreds of 3-pointers during practice, perfecting his form, footwork, and mechanics. But equally important is his conditioning, which allows him to move constantly and get open—especially late in games when defenders are exhausted.
Curry’s conditioning is part of his meticulous process. His ability to run without stopping in the final minutes of games is a testament to the hours he spends working on his fitness. By focusing on what he can control—his shot, his fitness, his preparation—Curry maintains unshakable confidence, regardless of the game’s outcome.
5. Learn from Failure and Keep Moving Forward
Finally, failure is part of the journey to building unshakable confidence. Many athletes see failure as a confidence killer. But the truth is, every failure holds a lesson, and those lessons are what lead to growth. Confidence comes not from avoiding failure, but from knowing you can bounce back after it happens.
Tip: After each setback, ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. Turn failure into feedback. When you view challenges as opportunities for growth, confidence becomes your solution rather than your problem.
Jordan Burroughs: From High School Struggles to World Champion
Turning failure into fuel and wisdom
Jordan Burroughs, one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time, didn’t start his career as a champion. In high school, Burroughs struggled to find success, not winning a state title until his senior year. Through those early losses, he learned the value of perseverance and discipline. His high school failures taught him that talent alone wasn’t enough; consistency and hard work were the keys to unlocking his potential.
When Burroughs transitioned to college wrestling at the University of Nebraska, he continued to face challenges. His freshman year ended with a modest 16-13 record. After that season, he learned two important lessons: patience for long-term growth and the necessity of technical precision. Specifically, Burroughs focused on keeping his head up and his back straight on his shots, two key adjustments that made his double-leg attacks more effective. This technical refinement, along with his improved mindset, allowed him to win back-to-back NCAA titles in his junior and senior years. His confidence grew as he mastered these details, knowing each improvement came from deliberate, focused training.
After reaching the pinnacle of wrestling by winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, Burroughs faced a crushing setback at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he failed to make the podium. That loss forced him to reflect deeply on his approach to competition. He learned the importance of controlling his emotions, focusing on the process rather than the result, and keeping faith in himself despite the world watching. Burroughs used this experience to come back stronger, winning several more world titles after 2016. His confidence was rebuilt, brick by brick, through the lessons he had earned over years of effort and reflection.
Confidence is a Tool
Confidence isn’t something you’re waiting to find—it’s something you must build and leverage as your ultimate tool. By reframing confidence as the solution, focusing on self-talk, visualization, the process, and learning from failure, athletes can transform their performance and find success. The sooner you see confidence not as a fleeting feeling, but as a skill to cultivate, the sooner you’ll unlock your full potential.
Confidence isn’t the problem—it’s the answer. Now, it’s time to act on that truth.