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    Elite Athlete Mindset Series
    Next Leavell Inspiration Logo

    Next Leavell Inspiration

    The
    Controllables
    Worksheet

    Build Confidence By Focusing On
    What You Can Control

    VOL. 04

    "Tough players focus on controllables.
    That's where confidence grows."

    What's Affecting Me?

    01
    Name
    Date
    Opponent / Game

    Check what is affecting you right now:

    Identify the internal and external pressures affecting your mindset today. Recognizing these distractions is the first step to letting them go. Be honest with yourself—what is weighing you down right now?

    Fear of Losing
    Fear of Making Mistakes
    Pressure From Coaches
    Pressure From Parents
    Pressure From Myself
    Lack of Confidence
    Comparing Myself to Others
    Negative Self-Talk
    Previous Losses
    Expectations
    Distractions
    Other

    What is affecting you the most today?

    Control Check

    Every worry drains your energy. Ask yourself if you have direct control over it. If you do, make an immediate action plan. If you don't, you must write it down and intentionally let it go before you compete.

    What are you worried about right now?
    Can you control it?
    Yes
    No
    If YES, what action can you take?
    If NO, write it down and let it go.
    Next Leavell InspirationThe Controllables Worksheet | Page 1

    My Focus

    02

    My Self-Talk

    Your internal dialogue dictates your confidence. Identify the negative thoughts holding you back and intentionally rewrite them into powerful, action-oriented statements you can repeat to yourself. Example: Negative: "What if I lose?" → Replacement: "I've prepared for this. Now compete."

    What negative thought has been showing up lately?
    Replace it with a stronger thought:

    Things I Can Control

    Rate yourself today on a scale of 1-5 (1 = Poor, 5 = Elite). Be brutally honest with yourself about where your effort, attitude, and focus currently stand. This is where true confidence is built.

    Effort
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    How can I give 1% more effort today?
    Attitude
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    Is my attitude helping or hurting me?
    Preparation
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    What is my focus during warmups?
    Body Language
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    What does my body language say right now?
    Focus
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    What is my focal point during the game?
    Response To Mistakes
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    How will I respond after making an error or striking out?
    Next Leavell InspirationThe Controllables Worksheet | Page 2

    Commitment

    03

    Things I Cannot Control

    Cross out the things below that are completely outside of your control. Spending energy on these will only drain your confidence and distract you from executing your game plan.

    The Umpire
    The Pitcher / Hitter
    Rankings
    Seedings
    Crowd Reactions
    Parents' Opinions
    Coaches' Decisions
    Past At-Bats / Games
    Future Outcomes
    Winning
    Losing
    Other

    What do you need to let go of today?

    My Game Commitment

    Choose ONE specific controllable from the list above to focus your entire energy on today. When adversity hits, this is what you will fall back on:

    Effort
    Attitude
    Preparation
    Body Language
    Focus
    Response To Mistakes

    The ONE thing I will focus on today is:

    Note To Myself

    Write a final reminder to yourself before you step into competition. What is the mindset you need to carry with you? (e.g., Trust my training. One pitch at a time. Stay present.)

    Tough players focus on controllables.

    That's where confidence grows.

    Signature
    Date

    "Coach Dee has been a game-changer for our 11U Rockhounds! His ability to connect with and inspire these boys have helped build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. He pushes them to be their best both on and off the field in a way that doesn’t demand perfection. He shifts the focus from failures to celebrating all the small wins! We highly recommend Coach Dee to any player looking to take their game to the next level!"

    — Walter and Tiffany CummingsParents, 11U Rockhounds
    Next Leavell InspirationThe Controllables Worksheet | Page 3