As the saying goes, sports are an unscripted drama. The outcome of a game depends not only on the athlete’s skill, but also on various factors such as condition, weather, and the environment of the playing field. One of the key variables is an error—a mistake.
When an athlete makes a mistake during a game, it’s natural for them to feel rushed, thinking they must make up for it. But this mental pressure interferes with their performance and often leads to more mistakes.
In sports psychology, there is a technique called ASDR self-suggestion that helps athletes stay composed after making a mistake so they can return to their own rhythm. The process works like this: First, the athlete becomes aware that they’re thinking negatively about their mistake (Aware). Next, they stop that thought immediately (Stop). Then, they dispute the negative thinking with phrases like, “I can’t undo a mistake that’s already happened,” or “The game’s not over yet, is it?” and finally, they replace those thoughts with positive ones (Dispute and Replace).
For this kind of self-suggestion to be effective, it must be practiced continuously. Just like building physical skill through training, the mental skill of overcoming mistakes also needs to be honed.
Life is full of mistakes. Though we can’t undo what’s already done, our lives don’t end with a single error. Instead of collapsing under guilt, brushing ourselves off, regaining composure, and moving forward—that’s the strength that helps us navigate life at our own pace.