The Toxic At Least Mentality
I have bad days, I get down.
I lose belief and I’ll feel like I am not good enough.
I also have days where I do well, but for many reasons, I just didn’t perform up to my own standards.
I don’t like feeling like this way, so what occurs when I get like this is I develop the toxic at least mentality.
- “OH WELL” At least, I ran today
- “AT LEAST” I am not as slow as that person
- “AT LEAST” I showed up
- “OH WELL” at least, we played well
What I am really saying to myself is at least mentality that I am not a loser…
But, I am also saying, I am not a winner…
The “at least” mental state is dangerous and systemic. Once it enters our vocabulary either within ourselves or our team, it can easily seep into our core beliefs.
The “at least” attitude means we chose to make an excuse.
Settling was okay. Mediocre wasn’t all that bad.
Going through the motions became an option. We chose to live inside the comfort zone. I basically valued my self worth as a “maybe” rather than a “yes.”
The toughest part of winning is the will to prepare.
Committing to everything that is needed to win, means developing a winner’s mindset as opposed to an “at least” mind-set. We must instill the belief that we deserve what we are going to achieve because of our preparation, because at no point did we settle.
However, what lacks is the belief…We develop an at least mentality because we wanted, we just weren’t willing… We weren’t really willing to sacrifice, willing to develop the needed focus, or willing to work on our weaknesses. We looked around us and said “I’m not all THAT bad.”
Preparation and motivation involves the belief in oneself and that our goal or vision can be reached!
Setbacks, adversity, and struggle are going to happen, but it is how we overcome these obstacles.
The bottom line is that losing happens way more than winning ever does.
There is always a runner-up finish, a 2nd place team, and second best in show.
The question must be asked, is an at least mentality an acceptable option for you?
Dr. Rob Bell is a Sport Psychology Coach. DRB & associates coach executives and professional athletes. Some clients have included three different winners on the PGA Tour, Indy Eleven, University of Notre Dame, Marriott, and Walgreens.
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