Unlock Your Potential by Believing in Yourself

Mia Thompson
Aug 4
3 min read

Maddy Boop and Mia Thompson- Minot State Volleyball

Hey Ballerz! Back with another post! The countdown is over fall sports season is here!

Lets get right into it!

You Owe It to Yourself to Believe

As fall sports gear up and preseason rolls in, athletes across the country are lacing up, taping up, and mentally preparing for the grind ahead. Whether you’re a freshman walking onto your college campus for the first time, or a seasoned returner ready to lead the way, one truth stands for all of us:

BELIEVE you belong here.

College sports aren’t easy. They weren’t meant to be. They challenge you, break you down, and rebuild you. But here’s the catch: none of that works unless you choose to believe in yourself first.

Below are a few reminders and mindset shifts to carry with you this season no matter what field, court, course, or track you call home.

1. You Made It for a Reason, Now Act Like It

Let’s be clear: you didn’t land here by accident.

Coaches saw something in you. Teammates will lean on you. You worked hard to earn your spot on the roster and that spot didn’t come with a guarantee of comfort. You deserve to be here, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come with growing pains. Especially for freshmen, the transition can feel overwhelming. The game gets faster. The pressure gets heavier. The expectations are higher.

But none of those are reasons to shrink.

If you’re adjusting to a new level, the biggest thing you can do is give yourself permission to grow. You don’t have to have it all figured out on Day 1. But you do have to keep showing up like you believe you can.

2. If You're in a Rut, You're Still in the Game

Slumps happen. Ruts happen. There are going to be days (or weeks) where it feels like nothing is clicking. Your timing is off, your energy is low, or your confidence is shaking. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re in it.

It’s easy to believe in yourself when things are going well, when you’re getting minutes, hitting PRs, or nailing your role. But the real test of belief is when the results don’t come easy. That’s where your self-trust becomes your foundation.

Keep showing up. Keep putting in work. The rut is temporary. Your worth isn’t.

3. Freshman or Veteran, Trust Is the Currency

No matter your class year, there’s a new challenge waiting for you.

Freshmen, you’re stepping into a world that might seem bigger and faster than you’re used to. That’s okay. Everyone had a first year.
Sophomores and juniors, you might be expected to carry more weight or find your voice in ways you haven’t before.
Seniors, you’re navigating leadership, legacy, and maybe even the thought of your last ride.

No matter where you are, one thing remains constant: you have to trust yourself.

Not just your skills but your preparation, your resilience, your ability to adjust, and your willingness to lean on others when needed. Trust means betting on yourself when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

4. Your Belief Impacts More Than Just You

This isn’t just about performance. When you believe in yourself, you give your team permission to believe too. You become someone others can look to not because you’re perfect, but because you’re present and confident through it all.

Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s a quiet belief that says, “No matter what today throws at me, I’ll find a way.”

And that energy? It’s contagious.

So whether you're chasing a championship, cracking the starting lineup, or finding your footing on a brand-new team, believe in your value. Because when you do, others follow.

5. Don’t Wait for Proof, Be the Proof

Sometimes we wait for external validation before we allow ourselves to feel confident. The stat sheet. The praise. The playing time.

But belief works in reverse. You don’t wait for proof, you become the proof. You prove to yourself every day that you’re built for this. In the lift. In the rep. In the comeback. In the recovery.

You already have what it takes to grow into the athlete you’re meant to be. Start acting like it.

Final Word

This season will test you. Every rep, practice, and game is a chance to rise but only if you show up with the belief that you can. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you you’re ready.

You owe yourself that belief. You’ve come too far to leave any part of your confidence behind.

Let’s go get it.