BLOG POST | July 1, 2024
By: Josh Paul
THICK SKIN
When someone criticizes us, our natural reaction is to get defensive. After all, criticism can feel like a personal attack, regardless of how nicely someone delivers it. And when we feel we need to protect our fragile egos, it becomes really hard for us to actually listen. After all, what your critic is trying to tell you might actually help you become a better player.
If your coach is wearing you out because you made a mistake and he’s frustrated with you, cut through the emotions and listen to the message. If you allow your emotions to take over, you can fall into some self-defeating thoughts. “How could I do something so dumb? I really let the entire team down today! How can they depend on me? I’m worthless!” Toughen up! Realize your coach is actually trying to help you, then make the adjustment and leave it at that.
Easy to do? Nope.
Necessary? Yup.
On the other hand, if the fans in the bleachers are wearing you out, ignore them. It’s actually their job to get you riled up, and if you take their heckling personally and get pissed, how focused will you be on the next pitch? They just want to tear you down, and if you let them into your headspace, they’re going to win. If you’re sensitive enough to allow this type of distraction, you had better either start working on thickening your skin, or you might as well quit. The higher you get in baseball, the louder these clowns get.
Toughen up.
Don’t be so sensitive.
Grow thicker skin.
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