The Top 5 Things Your Athlete Can Do Right Now to Set Themselves Up for Success
- Amanda Jackson
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
As parents, we spend a lot of time thinking about the future. We want our athletes to be confident, resilient, successful, and prepared for whatever comes their way. The good news? Success isn't built in one big moment. It's built through small actions repeated over time.
If you're looking for simple ways to help your athlete develop better habits, more confidence, and a stronger mindset, here are five things you can start today.
1. Pick Your Big 3
Most athletes (and parents) try to do too much at once. Instead, choose three simple things you can focus on right now.
Maybe it's:
Drinking more water
Going to bed 30 minutes earlier
Practicing for 15 minutes a day
The key is keeping these goals small enough that they actually get done. Success comes from consistency, not complexity. When athletes focus on a few important habits instead of twenty different goals, they make progress faster and feel less overwhelmed.
2. Follow the 168-Hour Rule
There are 168 hours in every week.
Most athletes spend a few hours at practice and games, but what about the other 160+ hours?
Grab a piece of paper and write down where your time goes:
School
Sports
Homework
Sleep
Screen time
Hanging out with friends
Family time
Now look at what's left.
Many athletes think they don't have enough time, but when they see their week on paper, they often discover pockets of free time they didn't realize they had. Even finding 15-20 minutes a day can make a huge difference over time.
This is a great activity for parents and athletes to do together. You might be surprised where everyone's time is going!
3. Use Your Mirror as a Coach
Grab a sticky note or a dry erase marker and write positive reminders on your bathroom or bedroom mirror.
Simple works best:
I can do hard things.
Progress over perfection.
One play at a time.
My effort is my superpower.
I am getting stronger every day.
It may feel silly at first, but here's the truth: what you repeatedly say to yourself matters. Your brain listens. Over time, those messages become beliefs.
Think about it—if athletes hear a coach say something positive over and over, they start to believe it. The same thing happens with their own self-talk.
4. Shake Off What You Can't Control
Every athlete faces setbacks.
Bad games. Missed shots. Strikeouts. Tough practices. Mistakes happen.
When frustration starts creeping in, pause and ask:
"What can I control right now?"
Maybe you can't control the referee, the weather, the coach's decisions, or what happened five minutes ago.
But you can control:
Your effort
Your attitude
Your preparation
Your response
Here's the fun part: literally shake it off.
Seriously.
Shake your hands. Shake your shoulders. Take a deep breath. Reset.
Sometimes athletes need a physical reminder to let go of things they can't change and refocus on what they can.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
Most athletes wait until they score a goal, make the team, win the game, or earn the starting spot before they feel successful.
That's way too long to wait.
Start noticing the little wins:
Finishing a workout when you didn't feel like it
Trying a new skill
Staying positive after a mistake
Going to bed on time
Choosing water instead of soda
Helping a teammate
Small wins build confidence. Confidence builds consistency. Consistency builds success.
At bedtime, try asking this question:
"What was one win you had today?"
Not the biggest win. Just one win.
You'll be amazed how quickly athletes start looking for positives when they know they'll be sharing them later.
The Bottom Line
Success isn't about being perfect. It's about building simple habits that move you forward one day at a time.
Pick your Big 3. Audit your 168 hours. Put positive reminders on your mirror. Shake off what you can't control. Celebrate small wins.
None of these take a lot of time, money, or talent. But done consistently, they can help athletes build confidence, resilience, and habits that last long after the final whistle.
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