The 4-Step Method: From Unproductive to Productive Thoughts

During practice and competition, athletes experience diverse thoughts and emotions. Performance impairments are likely to occur when athletes are unable to let go of mistakes and dwell on negative thoughts (Hanton, Mellalieu, & Williams, 2015). The primary aim of this practical workshop is to introduce a cognitive-restructuring intervention that can assist athletes in shifting from a negative thought as certainty to a naturally-valanced action plan. Secondary aims of the intervention include choking prevention and improvement of facilitative self-talk. The attendees will be presented with the intervention rationale and potential assessments to examine the efficacy of the intervention. The workshop will include a practical demonstration guiding attendees through the 4-step approach. The approach comprises recall of previously-experienced negative thoughts, acknowledgment of their temporary nature, questioning their certainty, and formation of a productive action plan. Hypothetical uses of this technique will be discussed after the activity and additional variations for using this intervention will be provided. Sport psychologists, athletes, coaches, and students can benefit from adding this intervention protocol to their toolbox when working on unproductive thoughts with their clients.