Unlock Your Potential: How Shifting Your Mindset Can Make You the GOAT

As a young athlete, your journey to success isn’t just about physical skill or talent; it’s about the mindset you bring to every practice, every game, and every challenge you face. Your mindset can be your biggest asset or your greatest barrier. Learning to shift your mindset is essential if you want to become the GOAT—the Greatest of All Time.

In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of mindset, differentiate between fixed and growth mindsets, and provide practical tools to help you break free from limiting beliefs and decisions. For parents and families, we will also share how you can support your child’s mental growth as well.

What is Mindset and Why Does It Matter?

Mindset refers to the way you think about things, how you view your abilities, how you react to challenges, and how you perceive the world around you. Your mindset plays a pivotal role in determining how you approach goals, setbacks, and personal growth.

For both athletes and families, understanding the power of mindset is essential. It’s easy for young athletes to become discouraged when things don’t go as planned. However, the right mindset can help them bounce back stronger. For parents and guardians, helping your child develop a growth mindset can make a significant difference in how they navigate life both on and off the field.

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset: What’s the Difference?

There are two main types of mindsets: fixed and growth. Here’s how they differ:

• Fixed Mindset:  A fixed mindset is when you believe that your abilities are unchangeable. Thoughts such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never be the best” are common. When faced with challenges, people with a fixed mindset may give up or avoid them altogether.

• Growth Mindset:  A growth mindset is when you believe you can improve and grow through effort, practice, and learning. Rather than thinking “I can’t do this,” someone with a growth mindset might say “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep working to get better.” Those with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for improvement.

  
  

Parents and guardians can support the development of a growth mindset by reinforcing that growth comes from continuous effort and learning. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome.

What Are Limiting Beliefs and Limiting Decisions?

When it comes to mindset, limiting beliefs and limiting decisions can prevent both young athletes and their families from reaching their potential.

• Limiting Beliefs:  These are thoughts that can hold us back, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never be fast enough,” or “I’ll never make the team.” Often, these beliefs are formed in childhood and can be reinforced by past experiences.

• Limiting Decisions:  These are choices made based on limiting beliefs, like deciding not to try out for a team or giving up when things get difficult because you believe you’re not good enough.

  
  

For parents, it’s essential to be mindful of the language used when discussing challenges. Reinforce positive growth by encouraging your child with phrases like “You’ve got this, keep trying” to help them overcome limiting beliefs.

How Do Limiting Beliefs Form?

Limiting beliefs often begin during childhood and adolescence, when early experiences shape our view of ourselves and our abilities.

For example:

• A coach telling you that you're not fast enough may lead you to believe you’ll never be a star athlete.

• A poor performance in a game might lead to the belief that you're not cut out for competitive sports.

• Peer pressure or bullying may make you doubt your abilities or feel unworthy of success.

These events can shape how you view yourself, and often, these limiting beliefs carry into adulthood. For parents, understanding how past experiences affect present behaviors can help guide your child to reframe those beliefs.

How to Challenge and Reframe Your Limiting Beliefs

If you recognize some limiting beliefs, don’t be discouraged. They can be changed. Here’s how:

1. Acknowledge the BeliefThe first step is to identify the limiting beliefs that are holding you back. What do you tell yourself when you face a challenge? Do you think, “I can’t do this”? Recognizing the belief is the first step to changing it.

2. Question the BeliefAsk yourself, “Is this belief based on fact, or is it something I’ve been telling myself for a long time?” Often, limiting beliefs are exaggerated or false. Challenge them by asking, “What if this isn’t true? What if I can improve through practice?”

3. Reframe the BeliefOnce you recognize a limiting belief, reframe it into something more empowering. For example:

   • Limiting Belief: “I’m not good enough to make the team.”

   • Reframed Belief: “I have the ability to improve with practice, and I will keep working to get better every day.”

4. Take ActionThe best way to break free from limiting beliefs is by taking action. Start by setting small, achievable goals. Each success will help you build confidence and prove that your old beliefs were holding you back.

Parents, encourage your child to take action and support their growth by celebrating each step, no matter how small.

How This Applies to You as a Young Athlete 

As a young athlete, you have the opportunity to develop a growth mindset from the beginning. However, you first need to recognize any limiting beliefs that might be preventing you from reaching your potential.

Here are some examples of limiting beliefs that youth athletes might encounter:

• “I’m too small to compete at this level.”

• “I’m not fast enough to keep up with my teammates.”

• “I always mess up in high-pressure situations.”

• “I’ll never be as good as my teammates.”

These are just beliefs, not facts. You can challenge them by telling yourself, “I am capable of improving,” and “I will work hard to get better.”

Parents, help your child identify these limiting beliefs and encourage them to adopt a positive, growth-focused mindset. Share your own experiences of overcoming obstacles to help reinforce that setbacks are part of the journey.

The Mindset of the GOAT

To become the GOAT—the Greatest of All Time—remember: your mindset is key. The most successful athletes didn’t achieve greatness by believing they couldn’t. They adopted a growth mindset, persevered, and believed in their ability to improve.

Take Michael Jordan as an example. After being cut from his high school basketball team, he used this as motivation to keep pushing forward. He once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

This mindset—viewing failure as part of the learning process—is essential for athletes and parents alike. Failure is not final; it’s an opportunity to grow and improve. Whether you face a tough game, a challenging practice, or doubts about your abilities, remember: you are capable of achieving more than you think.

Takeaway: Be the GOAT of Your Life

Your mindset is one of the most important tools you have in becoming the best version of yourself. By challenging your limiting beliefs and adopting a growth mindset, you will unlock your potential and move past the barriers that hold you back.

Stay focused, keep growing, and remember: you have everything it takes to be the GOAT.

Related Blog for Parents: How to Support Your Child’s Growth Mindset

If you're a parent looking for more actionable tips on how to guide your child through their growth journey, be sure to check out our parent-focused blog: How to Help Your Child Embrace a Growth Mindset for expert advice on supporting your child's mindset, handling setbacks, and encouraging resilience. Together, we can build a winning mindset for success both on and off the field.

About the Guest Expert: Jamie Green

Jamie Green is a USAF veteran, Trauma Release Specialist, Transformation Coach, Organizational Wellness Facilitator, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher, Speaker, and Author with over 7 years of experience helping individuals and organizations thrive. She is certified in NLP, Hypnotherapy, Time Line Therapy®, Mindfulness, and Yoga.

As the founder of Sunshine Soul Vibes, she leads transformational workshops, coaching programs, and wellness retreats that focus on emotional release, intentional communication, and nervous system support—especially for trauma-impacted and underserved communities.

✨ Follow her on Instagram: @sunshinesoulvibes✨ Book a Wellness Alignment Session or Workshop:

• Wellness Alignment Session

• Wellness Workshop Booking

Explore free mindset tools on Insight Timer: Insight Timer Profile