Our research states that just 9% of collegiate athletes are always able to shift their mindset when things aren’t going well.
That means 91% struggle to reset when adversity hits – whether it’s a bad call, a losing stretch, or a poor personal performance. Instead of adapting, they stay stuck.
This gap is critical. Resilience in sport is defined not by avoiding setbacks, but by responding to them constructively. Research on psychological flexibility (Hayes et al., 2006; Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010) shows that the ability to shift mindset under stress is one of the strongest predictors of well-being and sustained performance. Athletes who remain rigid in their thinking are more vulnerable to frustration, loss of confidence, and burnout.
Our data makes clear: the majority of athletes need structured ways to practice mindset shifts. That means building reset routines into training, not waiting for game day.
Practical resets can include:
- “Next Play” Cues: Short reminders that anchor attention on immediate action.
- Perspective Shifts: Asking, “What’s still in my control right now?”
- Role Anchors: Returning to identity as a teammate, leader, or competitor instead of obsessing over outcomes.
The best athletes don’t avoid adversity – they train to pivot quickly when it shows up.
For deeper insights and the latest research from the Premier Mindset Institute, [click here] to connect with us.