The Winning Edge: Why Athletes Should Reflectively Journal Their Performance

As I enter my fifth year as the Leadership & Performance Coach for the Players Development Academy (PDA) I continue to be inspired by the depth of soccer knowledge of these athletes. This year I am coaching 12 teams, grades 9-12. I have designed a curriculum focusing on the mind-body connection. Each week our athletes receive an assignment to be discussed at our next session. 

My mission is to teach these athletes how the mind and body are interconnected and how to leverage this relationship. Tapping into this deep connection between the mental and physical aspect of the game will maximize skill development, develop their self-awareness and improve their tactical IQ needed to excel.

For athletes seeking to raise their game, and grow this mind-body connection one of the most powerful - yet often overlooked - tools is keeping a reflective performance journal. The practice of regularly journaling about practices, games, and tournaments can provide massive benefits in terms of motivation, learning, and growth over their soccer experience.

One of the primary benefits of reflective journaling is that it encourages athletes to assess their performance critically. By writing down their experiences and observations, they gain valuable insights that can be used to fine-tune training routines and strategies.

“Writing down your feelings in a notebook or journal can help clear out negative thoughts and emotions that keep you feeling stuck.” Serena Williams

For instance, at PDA when our athletes journal about their matches and practices, they notice recurring issues relating to their performance. This self-awareness allows them to focus their training on improving that specific aspect of their game. Journaling gives athletes an evolving record of their inner world. By committing to regular reflections they gain wisdom, self-perception and power over their mental game. 

At the beginning of the season PDA athletes record their Performance Goals for the season. They break them down into actionable steps, and regularly review these goals. This keeps them motivated and provides a clear sense of direction. Reflective journaling allows them to build a personal archive of their progress and experiences.

“Paper is to write things down that we need to remember.” Albert Einstein

Here are five reasons why athletes should embrace reflective journaling as a critical part of their training regimen:

- It encourages self-reflection. Writing things down requires athletes to consciously think through their decision-making and analyze their play.

- It reinforces learning. The act of writing helps solidify concepts, strengths, and weaknesses related to performance.

- It tracks progress over time. Looking back on previous journal entries allows athletes to see their growth.

- It identifies weak spots. Journaling can reveal patterns of mistakes that need to be addressed.

- It develops discipline. Keeping a regular journal builds consistency and focus.

Reflective journaling is a dynamic tool that has allowed our PDA athletes to be in-tune with their performance and overall experience in their sport. Reflective journaling promotes self-awareness, goal setting, learning from mistakes, and personal growth. It is a window into an athlete's journey, offering a unique perspective on their progress and a valuable channel for communication with their teammates and coaches. There are many ways to seek a winning edge. We feel reflective journaling, picking up a pen and writing down your experiences, can lead to a path of excellence.