The physical practice necessary to become a Grand Slam champion is clear for all to see. It also requires a huge amount of mental work for players to be at the top of their game. In his seminal book, The Inner Game of Tennis, Timothy Gallwey explored the part the mind plays in successfully learning and performing in sport. It’s an interesting read with many themes that are also pertinent for those looking to improve their capabilities at work.
Here, we explore three of the key ideas Gallwey highlighted as vital to success in The Inner Game of Tennis: self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-trust.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness is a prerequisite for learning and growth. It provides us with the perspective needed to understand ourselves better and to recognise our strengths and weaknesses. Having self-awareness is vital as, without it, it is almost impossible to focus attention where it is needed. Being honest with ourselves helps us gain an accurate evaluation of where we are currently relative to our aspirations.
Self-acceptance
A key enabler of self-awareness is self-acceptance. Letting go of negative self-judgement and embracing ourselves as we are at the time removes a key inhibitor to being honest with ourselves. Gallwey suggests that self-acceptance enhances the accuracy of our self-awareness and reduces negative emotional interference that can get in the way. By accepting ourselves in that moment without judgement, we can moderate the discomfort of not being who we thought we were or want to be and treat any setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures – something the numerous greats of tennis show during the ups and downs of their matches. The Inner Game of Tennis clearly showing itself.
Self-trust
If we accurately know ourself, we can trust ourself, allowing us to approach challenges with less doubt and more certainty. In 2023, Vondoursova was the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon – something that would have been nigh on impossible to achieve without self-trust. She clearly showed that she believed in herself, took the opportunity presented to her and demonstrated the resilience necessary to take the risk of truly showing up and giving her all. Crucially, self-trust decreases a person’s need for external validation or approval. Instead, it helps a person improve their conviction to pursue and achieve ambitious goals – be it to win Wimbledon or to achieve other personal or professional aims.
How a coach can help
Of course, knowing that self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-trust help us learn and perform better is very different to actually being able to do these things.
Fortunately, they can be developed – especially with support from a coach.
For instance, coaches can play a significant role in assisting individuals in developing self-awareness. Through reflection and feedback, coaches can help clients gain insight into their strengths and areas for improvement. For example, Novak Djokovic is now excellent when he comes into the net, whereas in the past opponents recognised this as his weakness. His coach, Goran Ivanišević, helped him identify this as a development area and he then did the work to round out his game. Coaches, therefore, act as a stark mirror, reflecting back a truthful image.
When it comes to self-acceptance, coaches can help a person quieten their inner critic. By creating the opportunity to get to know our inner critics and their motives better, we are able to renegotiate that relationship, making room for a happier and more liberated mindset. In doing so, a coach can facilitate a healthier intrapersonal relationship. Having been a runner up in three grand slams, how Ons Jabeur processes her disappointments through this lens will likely be key to her future success.
Finally, coaches can also assist in developing self-trust and build confidence. True trust requires us to know both what we can and can’t achieve. Gallwey saw an unfettered positive psychological approach as a prohibitor of self-awareness. In a similar way to the inner critic but with the opposite valence, a Panglossian attitude may not serve us well either. A balanced perspective supports good decision making, appropriate risk taking and can enable us to get into the coveted ‘zone’ where instinct and ego are in harmony.
Using Goldcrest Partners
We are experienced in helping individuals foster stronger self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-trust. We work with people who want to enhance these skills, to build a solid foundation to develop and improve. In doing so, we support clients in their journey towards achieving their goals and realising their full potential. Call Goldcrest Partners today if you’d like to do the same.
