{"id":766,"date":"2024-08-08T05:21:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T05:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.temp.athletesuntapped.com\/?p=766"},"modified":"2026-04-15T03:22:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T03:22:54","slug":"teaching-forgetting-mistakes-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/athletesuntapped.com\/blog\/teaching-forgetting-mistakes-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Short-Term Memory: How to Teach Forgetting Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every athlete makes mistakes. It\u2019s inevitable. We see it on the biggest stages all the time. The most important trait to have when you make a mistake is short-term memory<\/a>. You made a mistake: own up to it, forget about it, and move on to the next play. Keeping mistakes at the forefront of your mind can be detrimental to future performance. Similar techniques can also be applied to bad games and practices. Forget about it\u2014but it\u2019s really not that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mid-Game Mistakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Forgetting a mistake mid-game is easier than forgetting about a bad game. For example, let\u2019s say you made an error in baseball that cost your team a run. This mistake, if you let it, can lead you to commit more errors. The best way to work through an error like this is to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Take Responsibility:<\/strong> Own up to the mistake and let your teammates know that you\u2019ll be better next time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Push the Error Out of Your Head:<\/strong> Continue the game with your mindset in the moment. If you struggle with developing this mindset, check out our mental performance coaches at Athletes Untapped<\/a> who can help you get in the right mindset.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Focus on the Next Play:<\/strong> Once you\u2019re back in the moment, the error should be gone from your head. It\u2019s okay to revisit it after the game, but it\u2019s imperative that it does not interfere with performance further.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Post-Game Reflection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    After the game, take a few minutes to reflect on what went wrong. Be 100% honest with yourself and take responsibility for what you can. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Set a Specific Time to Reflect:<\/strong> After this time expires, take the lessons that you have found in your reflection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Identify Areas for Improvement:<\/strong> Maybe you want to work more on erratic ground balls or communicate better with teammates when a ball is put into play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Adopt a Mindset of Improvement:<\/strong> Go into your next practice with a mindset of improvement. A good coach will not use you as an example of poor play but may pull you aside and let you know what you can improve.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Learning from Mistakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If you don\u2019t learn from your mistakes, then an opportunity has been wasted. Use mistakes as an opportunity to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n