I ignore the fact that my kid can’t do what I’m asking him to do.
But now, he can
Last weekend, my son Koji played in a basketball tournament in Wesley Chapel. Koji has been playing basketball for several years now, but he has always struggled with mental toughness. When he misses a shot or makes a mistake, he tends to get down on himself and lose confidence.
However, over the course of the three games that he played last weekend, Koji showed significant improvement in his mental toughness. He still missed shots and made mistakes, but he was able to shake them off more quickly and stay focused on the game.
As a parent, it was exciting to see Koji growing and developing as a player. But more importantly, it was a reminder that confidence and mental toughness are skills that can be built through practice and experience.
In Koji’s case, playing three games in one weekend gave him the opportunity to face his challenges head-on and build his confidence through sheer repetition. Each time he missed a shot or made a mistake, he was able to learn from it and move on to the next play with renewed focus and determination.
Of course, building mental toughness isn’t just about playing a lot of games. It’s also about setting goals, practicing consistently, and pushing yourself to improve. But Koji’s experience last weekend was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way to build confidence is simply to get out there and play. With each game and each challenge, we have the opportunity to grow and develop as athletes and as people.
So if you or someone you know is struggling with mental toughness on the basketball court or in any other area of life, remember that practice and experience can make all the difference. Keep pushing yourself, keep learning, and above all, keep playing. Who knows? Like Koji, you may surprise yourself with just how much mental toughness you can develop when you put your mind to it.
