Summarize:

Positive self talk means talking to yourself using kind and encouraging words. Think of it as a pre-competition pep talk! If you feel negative thoughts creeping in, combat them with positive ones. If you find yourself thinking, “I’m going to mess up,” tell yourself, “You can do this. You’ve practiced a ton, and now it’s time to give it all you’ve got.” Have a few go-to phrases or images that make you feel confident and ready to perform. Hold them in your mind before you compete. You might have a phrase like, “Time to crush it,” or visualize yourself winning the competition. Thinking that way will only make you more nervous. Instead, think of this competition as an opportunity to improve your skills and get outside of your comfort zone. If you have a stellar performance, great! If not, you’ll have more opportunities in the future. . Don’t drive yourself crazy worrying about what could go wrong. Instead, think about what could go right. Imagine the audience cheering for you after an awesome performance. Put your energy into providing a good show for the audience rather than worrying about what they’re thinking.
Use positive self-talk on competition day. Find phrases or images that make you feel optimistic. Don’t think of this competition as your one and only chance. Focus on the potential for success instead of failure