In my seventh of 12 vlog segments devoted to athletes and coaches, I examine the impact that frustration has on athletes in their training and competitive efforts. Frustration is typically defined an emotional reaction that arises when the path toward a goal is blocked and can’t be readily cleared. Common sources of frustration for athletes include not being able to master new technique quickly, having a poor result, or not achieving a deeply held goal. In fact, I think that frustration may be the single biggest psychological obstacle to improving as an athlete, whether in terms of conditioning, technique, tactics, or results.

Frustration actually starts out as a positive emotion because it motivates you to clear the path toward your goal. Unfortunately, increased effort, often involving doing the same thing more and harder, usually doesn’t result in that path being cleared. The outcome being that you often devolve into what I call the negative emotional chain, in which you go frustration to anger and, finally, to despair where you just give up because nothing you do is clearing that path toward your goal.

This vlog segment describes the specific steps you can take to stop frustration before it overwhelms you and ruins your day, whether training or in competition.

To watch this Prime Sport vlog segment #7, click here.
To watch this Prime Ski Racing vlog segment #7, click here.

Want to get your mind in the best shape of your life so you can perform your best when it matters most? Take a look at my online courses for ski racers and athletes in other sports.