Preseason Mental Prep: Starting Strong from Day One

Preseason Mental Prep: Starting Strong from Day One

By Coach Natalie, Owner of Psych Me Up Consulting

The start of a new season brings a clean slate, fresh energy, and big goals. But what many athletes miss is that your mental preseason can begin long before the first whistle blows or the first practice starts.

As a mental performance coach, I’ve seen how athletes who mentally prepare for preseason don’t just survive the grind—they thrive in it. So let’s talk about how you can start strong before the season starts.

1. Build a Preseason Routine

Consistency creates confidence. A preseason routine—both mentally and physically—can help you ease into the season with purpose. Ask yourself:

• What time will I wake up and go to bed each day?

• What are 2–3 daily habits that will help me feel sharp and ready? (e.g., hydration, stretching, 10 minutes of visualization)

• How can I make mental prep part of my routine?

Pro tip: Pick one new mental habit to start now. Maybe it’s a quick journaling prompt each night or visualizing yourself crushing your goals for 2 minutes before practice. Small shifts now make a big impact later.

2. Use Self-Talk to Prime Your Mindset

Your brain believes what you tell it most consistently. Heading into preseason with doubt, dread, or negativity will set the tone—for better or worse. Instead, train your self-talk to support your confidence and focus.

Try these:

• “This is my chance to build something great.”

• “I’m prepared. I’m capable. I’m ready to grow.”

• “Effort over outcome—I’ll give it everything I’ve got today.”

Write your own preseason affirmations and post them where you’ll see them often—your locker, bathroom mirror, or phone wallpaper.

3. Set Your Mental Focus

Preseason isn’t just about skill or conditioning—it’s a test of mindset. Instead of obsessing over stats, placements, or being ‘perfect,’ zoom in on the mental focus areas that will help you improve:

• Effort: Show up fully—physically and mentally—each day.

• Attitude: Be coachable, positive, and solution-focused.

• Resilience: Expect mistakes. Learn from them. Bounce back faster.

Ask yourself:

“What kind of teammate, athlete, and leader do I want to be from Day One?” That identity becomes your anchor when things get hard.

Final Thought

Preseason isn’t just the lead-up to your season—it’s the foundation of it. How you start matters. And it starts in your mind.

So take a few minutes today to set your routine, sharpen your self-talk, and define your focus. When the season begins, you won’t just be physically ready. You’ll be mentally unstoppable.

Want help building your own preseason plan?

Let’s get to work. Contact us to set up your first session.