Forget It & Move On: The Mindset of Elite Athletes

Mistakes happen. Even the best players in the world miss passes, turn the puck over, or get caught out of position. What separates elite athletes from the rest isn’t that they avoid mistakes—it’s how fast they recover from them.

The Power of Shifting Your Focus

The moment you dwell on a mistake, your performance suffers. Negative thoughts slow you down, tighten you up, and make the game feel harder. The best players recognize when they are thinking negatively, take a deep breath, and immediately shift their focus to the next play.

During the game, it’s not about fixing mistakes—it’s about reacting and resetting. Instead of thinking about what went wrong, think about what’s next. Use simple trigger words like:
✅ Fast – Get your legs moving right away.
✅ Aggressive – Attack the next play with confidence.
✅ Shot Ready – Prepare for the next scoring chance.

These words are just a few examples that will help recenter your focus on what matters: the next shift, not the last one. I challenge you to come up with your own quick and simple words or phrases that work for you and your game that you can implement right away.

In-Game Strategy: How to Reset Quickly

1️⃣ Recognize Negative Thinking – If you catch yourself thinking about a mistake, Good! Now you are aware of where you’re mind is and you can stop it immediately.
2️⃣ Breathe & Reset – Take a deep breath in through your nose, exhale slowly, and refocus.
3️⃣ Use a Trigger Word – Say “Next shift,” “Fast,” or “Aggressive” in your head to shift focus.
4️⃣ Get Back to Work – Your next play is the only thing that matters.

What About After the Game?

Once the game is over, that’s when you evaluate. Take time to review what went well and what could improve. But during the game? Forget it and move on. I can’t stress this enough on how important it is to be able to do this. As with everything, this is much easier said than done and it takes a lot of practice and mental strength!

The best players don’t waste time beating themselves up. They trust their training, keep their confidence high, and focus on playing the game—not thinking about it.

So next time you make a mistake? Breathe, reset, and get ready for your next play. That’s what elite athletes do.