By Remez Sasson
Someone has asked me how to use affirmations for winning tennis matches.
“I have a question about power of affirmations. I play tennis, and try to apply it while, and even before I start playing the game, telling myself that “I will win this match” repetitively.
I have a moderate success with that, but I lose many times than I expect. I know my opponent is not a better player than I am. I practice a lot too. What do you think I should do? What kind of affirmations I should have?
Please also advise on how to phrase my affirmation. Should I say, “I will win all my matches”, or should I say, “opponent, you are losing this game”? Which is better?”
Here is my reply:
You can use both visualization and affirmations. Before starting the game, find a place where you can be alone for a few minutes, close your eyes, and visualize yourself playing tennis like a pro. Feel how good you are and that you are a winner. See yourself winning the game and feeling good and happy.
When starting the tennis match, and during the game, repeat one or more of the following
affirmations:
- I am winning this game.
- I am a great tennis player.
- It is so easy to win this game.
- I am giving my best in this game.
- I am playing tennis like a pro.
- I get all shots, anywhere on the tennis court.
- I am hitting back all balls and winning the game.
Doing so will help you play better and improve your chances of winning the game, but this doesn’t mean that you will always win, because your opponent might be in a better shape, play better, or use the same tactics of visualization and affirmations.
As to your other question, it is useless to phrase the affirmation in the words, “opponent – you are loosing this game”. These words will not help you, and most probably would not affect your opponent. You are not an hypnotist trying to hypnotize your opponent neither are you a magician. Better repeat affirmations that can affect you, your subconscious mind and your playing skills.
Visualization and affirmations are more and more used in sports nowadays, and what has been said about tennis, also applies to all other sports.
Detailed information and guidance on affirmations
Remez Sasson is an author and blogger. He is the founder of SuccessConsciousness.com, a website and blog about self improvement and spiritual growth.
Remez Sasson is the author of several life transforming books, containing a wealth of information, advice and guidance.
Great post! There is an interesting point Mr. Remez makes here, and I think he mentioned it also in his book “Creative Visualization” if I’m not mistaken. There was the example of visualizing and affirming for a job promotion.
The advice was not to visualize the person above you being fired…you’re not generating a good karma after all
…instead we should focus on what we really want to experience, in other words getting the desired promotion. It may happen that the above person will voluntarily move to another job or he may get a promotion too, so the position you wanted will become vacant.
I know from personal experience that when I visualize of affirm that something negative to happen for the other person I put myself in a negative state of mind that hinders my purposes.
That’s a good advice to keep in mind!
Remez,
It’s also worth mentioning that affirmations are more potent as a person is entering Theta state (when they are going off to sleep). As a person’s brainwaves decrease, affirmations make more impact due to the increase in suggestibility.
Thanks,
Andrew
Well, that’s an interesting concept. Whenever I work out or enter sports competitions (usually contact sports, I’m more of a martial artist), I do tell myself that I can, for example, kick harder or faster. And you’re right, thinking negatively about your opponent will not have the same impact.