Page 10 - Fully Equipped Playbook

MINDSET
If you want to be one of the best, you have to not only think like the best, but think YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST. This doesn’t mean carrying yourself around in a cocky way, but instead deep down knowing your worth will bring about the confidence needed to achieve the success you're striving for.
So how did I learn this? The second I had a negative thought enter my mind, I did my best to change it into a positive thought.
Here's an example. I just struck out for the third time in a game and instantly in my head I'm saying “You suck, you don't know how to hit anymore, you can’t do this.” Instead of allowing myself to spiral, I had to find a way to coach myself up. It's not always instantaneous, sometimes it took a few bad results, but eventually I taught myself to flip the script. “OK you got this, next time you WILL hit the ball hard, and IT WILL find open grass. Next time the pitcher WILL have no chance.”
I also stuck to the process and trusted my approach. Although hard at times, especially during prolonged slumps, this would always help keep my confidence high. Having a consistent approach will without a doubt get you better results in the long run, so make sure you have a plan every game. It could be a hitting approach, such as looking to hit the ball to right-center or a mental approach, telling yourself to be patient and wait for your pitch. Whatever it is, trust the process and see it through.
Same goes for pitchers, have a plan for certain teams and certain hitters, and stick with it. You need to believe that no matter what the result, it’s all part of the process, and sticking with it will eventually get you the results you desire.
I used to write the word “KISS” (Keep It Simple Stupid) on the inside of my hat. Between innings, when I took it off I would read the message. Those four simple letters were a reminder to me to have a consistent SIMPLE approach while hitting, and that’s when I was my best. If I went up to the plate without a clear head, the at-bat was wasted. The more simple the approach, the less thinking is involved, and the better the results, trust me! SEE BALL, HIT BALL.
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