Outperform Yourself This Summer – A Mindset Shift for Young Athletes

Hey there, awesome young athletes and supportive sports parents! Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to step up your training and get ready for the next season. But here’s the thing: becoming your best isn’t about being better than everyone else—it’s about being better than the person you were yesterday. Today, I’m sharing a powerful story about Michael Jordan that shows how a quick mindset shift can make all the difference, along with easy tips for young athletes to apply this summer. At The Purpose Driven Athlete, I’ve spent over 20 years helping athletes—like baseball players learning to swing, tennis players closing out matches, and basketball players keeping their cool after adversity—grow their mental game. Let’s dive into what it takes to be your best this summer!

Michael Jordan’s Mindset Shift – Outperform Yourself

Michael Jordan didn’t just want to be good—he told his assistant coach at North Carolina, Roy Williams, “I want to be the best to ever play here.” But when Jordan explained that he already ran faster and practiced more shots than his teammates, Coach Williams replied, “Oh, excuse me. I thought you wanted to be the best.” That moment changed everything. From that day, Jordan didn’t train to beat others—he trained to outperform himself, every single day. He worked harder, stayed longer, and pushed past his limits, even when no one was watching. That mindset made him a legend.

This story is a big lesson for young athletes: being the best isn’t about comparing yourself to others—it’s about asking, “What else can I do to be better than I was yesterday?” Summer training is your chance to make that mindset shift and grow in your sport!

How Top Athletes Outperform Themselves

Jordan’s story isn’t the only one—top athletes at all levels use this mindset to step up their game:

• Simone Biles (Professional Gymnast): Before the 2016 Olympics, Simone Biles focused on outperforming herself in every practice. She’d say, “I want to do one more flip better than yesterday.” That mindset helped her win 5 gold medals! She didn’t worry about other gymnasts—she focused on being her best.

• Jalen Hurts (College Football, Now NFL): At Alabama, Jalen Hurts lost his starting quarterback spot but didn’t give up. He trained harder every day, telling himself, “I’ll be better than I was yesterday.” He worked on his throws, watched more film, and stayed after practice. That summer, he stepped up, won back his role, and led his team to a championship game.

• Caitlin Clark (College Basketball): Caitlin Clark, the Iowa basketball star, broke records in 2024 by focusing on her own growth. She’d stay after practice to shoot 100 extra shots, saying, “I want to make one more than I did yesterday.” That mindset made her one of the best scorers in college basketball history.

These athletes show that a quick mindset shift—focusing on your own growth—can lead to big results, whether you’re aiming for the Olympics or your next season.

How Young Athletes Can Outperform Themselves This Summer

Here’s an easy way for young athletes to make this mindset shift and step up their training this summer:

Step 1: Pick 1 Thing to Improve Each Day

• Choose 1 skill to work on each day, like shooting, passing, or running. For example, a baseball player might say, “Today, I’ll swing 5 more times than yesterday.” A basketball player might say, “I’ll make 10 more shots than yesterday.” It’s all about being a little better than you were before.

Step 2: Track Your Growth

• Keep a notebook or tell your parents what you did each day. Write down your goal and what you achieved (e.g., “I swung 20 times today—5 more than yesterday!”). Seeing your progress will make you feel proud and keep you motivated, just like Michael Jordan felt when he pushed himself every day.

Step 3: Celebrate Your Effort

• Every time you outperform yourself, give yourself a high-five or tell your parents, “I did better than yesterday!” It’s not about being perfect—it’s about trying hard and growing, like Simone Biles did with her flips or Jalen Hurts did with his throws.

A Simple Practice for All Sports

This mindset works for any sport because it’s about you, not anyone else. If you’re a soccer player, kick 5 more balls than yesterday. If you’re a tennis player, hit 10 more serves. If you’re a swimmer, swim 1 more lap. It’s easy to do, and it helps you build confidence and skills over the summer, so you’re ready to shine when the season starts.

Parents, Here’s How You Can Help

Parents, you play a big role in this mindset shift! Here are 3 ways to support your athlete:

• Ask the Right Question: Instead of “Did you win?” ask, “What did you do better today than yesterday?” This helps your child focus on their own growth, like Caitlin Clark did with her shots.

• Celebrate Effort: When your athlete outperforms themselves, say, “I’m so proud of you for trying harder than yesterday!” That encouragement, like Jalen Hurts got from his coaches, keeps them motivated.

• Help Them Track: Keep a notebook with your child or talk about their daily goal at dinner. For example, ask a baseball player, “How many swings did you do today?” Seeing their progress will make them excited to keep going, just like Michael Jordan did.

Step Up Your Training This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to step up your training, and a quick mindset shift can make all the difference. By focusing on outperforming yourself—like Michael Jordan, Simone Biles, Jalen Hurts, and Caitlin Clark did—you can grow your skills, confidence, and love for your sport. This summer, pick 1 thing to improve each day, track your growth, and celebrate your effort. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll be by the time the season starts!

At The Purpose Driven Athlete, I’ve seen this mindset help young athletes become their best selves on and off the field. Ready to help your athlete take their game to the next level? Text me anytime to Book a free 15-minute discovery call with me today, and let’s create a plan to make this summer their best yet!

Coach Dave

The Purpose Driven Athlete
www.thepurposedrivenathlete.com
503-3561-3812 Text