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Welcome to another edition of The Behavior of Sport newsletter, where behavioral science meets sport psychology, performance, and the mental demands of elite competition. Before we get into todays topic, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for the podcast, sport psychology insights, behavioral science breakdowns, and mental performance strategies for athletes, coaches, and high performers.

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Now, let’s get into today’s edition…

Across therapeutic modalities from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to motivational interviewing to behavior analysis one principle consistently emerges as foundational: clients must know what they are working toward. In sport, this translates directly to values clarification.

Before an athlete can commit to increasing a target behavior or decreasing a maladaptive one, they need a clear sense of what matters to them not what their coach wants, not what their parents expect, but what they genuinely value as a competitor and as a person. Values clarification is not a soft, ancillary exercise. It is the directional compass that gives behavioral goals their meaning and their staying power.

When an athlete understands that their value is competitive excellence through effort and growth rather than winning at all costs, the entire framework of measurement shifts.

Frequency data on shots taken becomes evidence of courage and commitment, not just a performance metric. Irrational thinking patterns become obstacles to living in alignment with one's values, not just cognitive distortions to be corrected.

Now, let’s discuss…..