Final answer:
Athletes performing below potential likely have a fixed mindset, believing abilities are unchangeable. By adopting a growth mindset, they can improve by embracing challenges and learning from failures. They should model their approaches after respected individuals with positive attitudes and adaptability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Athletes who tend to perform below their potential or do not make improvements may be operating from a fixed mindset. This mindset is characterized by the belief that abilities are static and cannot be developed. Such individuals might avoid challenges, give up easily when faced with obstacles, see effort as fruitless, ignore useful feedback, and feel threatened by the success of others. On the other hand, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence. Athletes with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a path to mastery, learn from criticism, and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others.
Developing a growth mindset is crucial for athletes as it allows them to push beyond their perceived limits and continue to improve. This involves conscious effort to change thinking and behaviors, such as practicing positive self-talk, setting learning goals instead of performance goals, and reflecting on the process rather than just the outcome. Acknowledging that success requires hard work, dedication, and the ability to learn from failures is essential to overcoming a fixed mindset. Athletes can also look up to respected individuals in their environment, adopting and adapting their attitudes and approaches to cultivate their own growth mindset