The Block Breaking Practice Plan
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Hi, I am Mandy Patterson, mental performance coach, owner of Mandy Patterson Coaching, and founder of the Mind Over Mental Block Program, where we teach athletes how to push past mental blocks and fears so they can rediscover their passion, pursue their goals with confidence, and ultimately experience authentic joy in their sport and life.
Thank you so much for joining me again. I am celebrating you and your commitment to learning how to trade your mental blocks and fears for confidence and joy! I appreciate all of the comments, videos, and questions I have received and everyone who completed my challenge in the last video. I can’t wait to walk you through an exact plan you can follow to make sure you are strengthening your mental game every single practice. So, before we do that…
You are likely here with me because you, or someone you deeply care about, have experienced the frustration of mental blocks, anxiety, and fears in your sport. It’s a situation that many athletes can relate to, watching your teammates smoothly progress in their skills while you feel trapped, endlessly working on the same skills for months or even years, without your body cooperating.
But here’s the exciting part: deep down, you know you have what it takes. You’ve accomplished those skills before, proving that you have the talent. All you need is an extra dose of confidence to conquer this hurdle and rediscover the joy of the sport you love. It’s an opportunity you dream of achieving—to take back control, embrace your true potential, and pursue your dreams with excitement.
I understand exactly how you feel because I’ve been there too. During my competitive cheerleading career, I faced numerous mental blocks that caused self-doubt and a lack of confidence. Like you, I tried everything possible to move past it, such as watching tumbling videos and practicing progressions and was fortunate to effort my way through each time and continue competing in the sport I loved, but I knew there had to be a better way.
Drawing from my experience as an athlete, a skills coach, and a certified Mental Game Coaching Professional, combined with extensive research in sports psychology and personal development, i’ve developed a proven framework to help athletes like you overcome mental blocks and fears, ultimately replacing them with confidence and joy.
Today, I’ll guide you through a powerful tool my 1:1 coaching athletes use to develop consistent mental game skills during practice sessions. This tool is crucial because your mental game is the key to unlocking success in other areas of your training. Without it, you may lack the confidence, trust, and focus needed to achieve the results you desire.
I am excited to introduce you to the Block Breaking Practice Plan, which is designed to put the Mind Over Mental Block Method into action, enabling you to overcome your mental block. As a bonus, by following this plan, you will experience more motivation, confidence, and a sense of progress, so the process is about to become so much more fun!
I’ve provided a free download of this tool for you below. I recommend printing it and taking it to practice next week. Each day, complete two prompts on your way to practice to set intentions and mentally prepare for success. Then you will complete two prompts on your way home to track progress and keep your confidence high.
Let’s go through an example of how this works:
[Watch the full video for a screen share on how to use the tool]
That’s it! Now you have a plan and a tool to help you take action. Remember, this block may have taken control of your ability to throw your skills perfectly on command, but it cannot stop you from completing this daily plan. Every action you take, focusing on what you can control, will chip away at your mental block and empower you. Get ready to make remarkable progress and ignite your motivation!
When it comes to overcoming mental blocks, there are several common myths that get in the way of progress. My guess is that these will feel familiar so let’s talk through these together so you can recognize them so you can rise above them.
The Top 5 Mental Block Myths Debunked
#1. Just Push Through It
One common misconception is that athletes should simply force themselves through a mental block. Parents often tell me that their child “will not throw it.” The truth is that it is not a lack of will or desire. It is also not a cry for attention or them being lazy. Thinking you should “just push through it” will lead you to frustration and can make the challenge worse because it adds to the already built-up pressure. Addressing the underlying cause and developing effective strategies to overcome the block is important.
#2. It’s All in Your Head
This is one that I address during coach trainings I conduct. Coaches tend to make comments like “Stop thinking so much,” “Don’t overthink it,” “Get out of your head,” “Stop being so mental.” While mental blocks are rooted in the mind, they also have physical manifestations. It’s crucial to recognize that mental blocks are a complex combination of psychological and physiological factors, requiring a holistic approach to resolve them. To truly overcome them, you must learn tools to help you understand how to think in a way that doesn’t cause you to overthink, to give yourself helpful instructions without adding pressure, and to analyze your environment in a way that allows you to trust that you are safe.
#3. You’re Not Strong Enough (or Don’t Want It Bad Enough)
One common myth surrounding mental blocks is the belief that experiencing them is a sign of weakness or a lack of dedication. After all we have been through over the last few years, it still amazes me how many athletes and parents view mental blocks as something to be ashamed of or fearful of seeking support for because they worry about the potential consequences, such as being removed from routines or seen as broken.
The truth is that EVERY ATHLETE is affected by their mental game, but not every athlete trains the skills necessary to be mentally tough. Mental blocks are not an indicator of an athlete’s strength or ability. They can affect athletes of all skill levels, and they are particularly prevalent in highly skilled and talented individuals due to the pressures associated with perfectionism and high expectations. It’s important to understand that mental blocks are not a reflection of an athlete’s worth or potential but rather a result of how they process and handle the challenges and expectations placed upon them. Recognizing this can help athletes let go of self-doubt and focus on their progress rather than being defined by their struggles.
#4. It's A Permanent Setback
Mental blocks can feel overwhelming, leading athletes to believe they will never overcome them. False! With the right techniques and support, mental blocks can be effectively addressed, allowing athletes to regain their confidence and skills. In fact, going through the process of overcoming mental blocks can make athletes even stronger than they would have been otherwise. These blocks provide an opportunity to develop essential life skills, such as perseverance and resilience.
#5. You're Alone In This
Many athletes believe they are the only ones facing mental blocks, but the truth is that mental blocks are common in cheerleading and gymnastics, affecting athletes at all stages of their careers. In our private athlete community, The Block Breakers Circle, athletes come together to support and encourage each other on their path towards breaking through their blocks. Recognizing that you are not alone can bring reassurance and peace. We often hear from athletes that having someone to talk to who understands their struggles is one of the most valuable aspects of our programs. Trust us, you are not alone, and with the right support, you can overcome this.
The #1 Challenge With Overcoming Mental Blocks
The number one challenge for athletes overcoming mental blocks is the fear and self-doubt accompanying the block itself. It becomes this big scary thing, almost like a pet monster on a leash that you drag around, casting a shadow on everything. It creates a sense of helplessness and frustration, leading athletes to question their abilities and lose confidence in their skills, their sport, and themselves.
The quickest way to overcome this is to stop using the term “My Mental Block.” Let go of the ownership and weight you associate with it. The term itself becomes an excuse for staying stuck, as it has become a part of your identity. Instead, starting today, replace “my mental block” with “a challenge I am working through.” By reframing it as a challenge, you open yourself up to growth and becoming stronger.
Challenges are opportunities to be creative and find ways to overcome them, rather than something that holds you back. See it for what it is—a challenge in one skill—knowing that you can still excel as a tumbler, cheerleader, gymnast, and person, even if you are facing this challenge. That’s powerful!
There you have it!
If you liked this training and found it helpful, would you do me a favor? Please share it with a friend or two who could benefit from this message. Also, please comment below with your thoughts on this video. What did you like most? I will be personally engaging in the comments, so drop your biggest questions so I can get those answered for you. I would love the opportunity to hear from you and am so excited to connect.
Thanks again for being here. I look forward to seeing you in the next video, where I will be adding even more awesome value so be on the lookout for an email from me in the next few days.
Until next time, remember that a mental block is simply a challenge you are working through. You are strong, can do hard things, and have totally got this!
Like this? Questions? Comment below!
Questions? Email support@mgpcoach.com