Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Sports

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Theory, also known as the Pygmalion Effect, has been recognized as one of the most performance boosting theories in all sports. If an individual believes they’re going to lose the game before the event, chances are, they are right. If that same individual believes that they’re going to succeed and can taste victory before the bell rings, then chances are we have a completely different story. Research has proven that the prophecies we hold to ourselves are more important than the actual practice of the event. More than enough research has shown the effects of this theory on education and children, college coaches and athletes, job opportunities or careers and many others that prove to be more than enough motivation to start applying to one’s everyday life.

 In the world of Martial Arts, Bruce Lee is known as the creator. Gathering the best techniques from a variety of systems and meshing it all together into one unstoppable force. Lee has changed the world of Martial Arts forever. The UFC is arguably only here because of what Lee has managed to do in his lifetime. The focus and application of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in this one individual is unmatched from any other athlete.

“You just wait. I’m going to be the biggest Chinese Star in the world.” – Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee isn’t the only athlete that believes in this mindset. Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods have all shared similar experiences of how they “imagine” themselves executing their sport perfectly before they perform. Other inspirational stories are based off the amount of faith an individual has in themselves, often times overcoming the impossible. One of the first great stories about the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Theory is the Heather Stepp Story which you can read more about it here.

The power of this theory alone I believe is capable of changing any athletes outcome. I believe the best way to sum up such a theory is best told by the master himself.

“As you think, so shall you become.” – Bruce Lee