When it comes to an athlete’s confidence, belief systems are everything.

And yet, most of us have never actually stopped to think about how our belief systems were created in the first place. We just assume that they’ve always been there. When I was younger, I used to think that my belief system was something I was just born with—something hardwired into who I was. I didn’t realize that I could change it.

But here’s the truth:
Belief systems are built. Which means they can be rebuilt too.

So… What Is a Belief System?

A belief system is simply a collection of thoughts that you’ve accepted as true.

If I believe I’m a good shooter, that’s a belief.
If I believe I always choke under pressure, that’s a belief too.
If I have a certain religious affiliation or worldview, that’s rooted in belief as well.

Belief systems guide how we show up, what we expect of ourselves, and how we handle adversity. And they are incredibly powerful—especially in sports.

How Are Belief Systems Created?

Here’s the key:
Belief systems are formed by repeating similar thoughts over a long period of time.

It’s not just one bad game or one missed free throw that shapes an athlete’s identity—it’s the ongoing inner dialogue that follows.

“This always happens to me.”
“I’m not clutch.”
“I’m not mentally tough.”

Thoughts like these, when left unchecked and repeated often, become beliefs. And beliefs, once embedded, start to run the show.

The Good News? You Can Change Your Belief System

If thoughts create beliefs—and you have control over your thoughts—then guess what?

You have control over your belief system.

It starts with becoming intentional about your thinking. And more specifically, with identifying and repeating strengthening thoughts.

Strengthening vs. Weakening Thoughts

Not all thoughts are created equal.

Some thoughts strengthen you:
“I’ve put in the work.”
“I can handle adversity.”
“I learn and bounce back quickly.”

Other thoughts weaken you:
“I always mess up in big moments.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’ll never figure this out.”

Now, there are also thoughts that fall in the middle—what some people call “neutral thinking.” These are thoughts like:
“What am I gonna have for dinner tonight?”
Not helpful, not harmful. Just there.

But for our purposes, I want to focus on the strengthening and weakening thoughts. Because when strengthening thoughts are repeated over time, they build a strong, confident belief system. And when weakening thoughts are repeated over time, they create a belief system built on doubt, fear, and insecurity.

What’s Next

In the next blog post, we’re going to dive into some specific strategies for creating daily strengthening thoughts—simple practices you can do every day to build a stronger mindset and elevate your belief system from the inside out.

This is the stuff that changes the game.
Let’s go!

“When you once know how "to think," you can create at will anything you wish, -- whether it be a new personality, a new environment, or a new world.”- Joseph Benner