Courtside with MTP #10: Optimistic Perfection
- Ben Carnes
- May 20
- 2 min read
Dear Coaches,
Welcome to the fourth installment of the Prime 5 series—five essential mental skills every athlete needs to reach their full potential. So far, we’ve explored Focus, Confidence, and Physical Control. This month’s skill is all about Optimistic Perfection.
We want athletes to pursue excellence—but we also want them to stay hopeful and motivated when things don’t go perfectly. Optimistic Perfection isn’t about ignoring mistakes. It’s about helping athletes expect success, stay determined through adversity, and bounce back stronger after setbacks.
🧠 What Is a Champion’s Mindset?
This month’s activity teaches athletes how to develop a Champion’s Mindset, built on three key components:
Expectation – Believing in success before the game even begins
Determination – Staying locked in and fighting through adversity
Perseverance – Bouncing back after mistakes, losses, or frustration
🧪 Why It Works
Research in sports psychology shows that positive expectations lead to better performance—in everything from basketball shooting to lifting weights. But athletes often default to negative thinking, especially after setbacks. That’s due to what’s called negative bias—our brain’s natural tendency to focus on what went wrong.
This lesson teaches athletes how to override those automatic thoughts (System 1) by using intentional responses (System 2)—focusing on their purpose, effort, and what they can control.
📺 Watch the Video:
We created a walkthrough video to guide athletes step-by-step through this process. It can be used as a team activity or an individual reflection tool.
🎥 Watch Here: https://youtu.be/bzyGpYK9iU8
📝 How to Use the Worksheet
Athletes will:
Choose one area to focus on: Expectation, Determination, or Perseverance
Identify their automatic (unhelpful) thoughts, body reactions, and emotions
Replace them with intentional responses: new focus points, self-talk, and body control
Practice generating motivation before games or practices
Use this as a team activity or a personal growth exercise with players who are stuck in a performance rut or confidence slump.
💡 Final Thoughts
Optimistic Perfection helps athletes stay grounded in reality but full of belief. It’s not about chasing flawless execution—it’s about developing the mental tools to keep showing up, competing hard, and improving daily.
Thanks for continuing to lead from the front and invest in the mental side of your team.
Contact Us:
Ben Carnes
Owner, Mental Training Plan
📞 (317) 557-3022
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