{"id":7053,"date":"2021-04-21T11:42:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T15:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=7053"},"modified":"2025-07-09T05:53:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T09:53:10","slug":"helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Kids Get Out of Their Comfort Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/help-sports-kids-face-unexpected-challenges-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/help-sports-kids-face-unexpected-challenges-1.jpg\" alt=\"overcome adversity in youth sports\" class=\"wp-image-6816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/help-sports-kids-face-unexpected-challenges-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/help-sports-kids-face-unexpected-challenges-1-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Getting_Uncomfortable_Builds_Confidence\"><\/span>How Getting Uncomfortable Builds Confidence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/#How_Getting_Uncomfortable_Builds_Confidence\" >How Getting Uncomfortable Builds Confidence<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/#Parents_should_give_kids_permission_to_be_okay_feeling_awkward_Kids_can_achieve_more_if_they_feel_uncomfortable_trying_new_things_he_says\" >Parents should give kids permission to be okay feeling awkward. Kids can achieve more if they feel uncomfortable trying new things, he says.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/#When_kids_learn_new_skills_outside_of_their_zone_of_familiarity_they_build_confidence\" >When kids learn new skills outside of their zone of familiarity, they build confidence.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/#Help_Your_Kids_Improve_Mental_Toughness\" >Help Your Kids Improve Mental Toughness<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Jack Canfield, co-creator of the popular \u201cChicken Soup for the Soul\u201d book series, peak performance expert and co-author of the new kids\u2019 book \u201cI Can Believe in Myself\u201d was a guest on our Ultimate Sports Parent podcast recently. The father of four&#8211;who has been a sports dad and youth sports coach&#8211;gave tips about helping young athletes get out of their comfort zone and ensure they reap benefits from it in sports and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cEvery new thing you learn is out of your comfort zone,\u201d<\/em> says Canfield. <em>\u201cIt takes you out of your zone of familiarity; it will feel awkward.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parents_should_give_kids_permission_to_be_okay_feeling_awkward_Kids_can_achieve_more_if_they_feel_uncomfortable_trying_new_things_he_says\"><\/span>Parents should give kids permission to be okay feeling awkward. Kids can achieve more if they feel uncomfortable trying new things, he says.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To help kids make the most of being outside their comfort zone, teach them new skills or strategies in baby steps, he says. At first, they may feel frustrated, and that\u2019s an important part of learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Canfield taught his kids to juggle in baby steps. \u201cI taught all my kids to juggle, everyone thinks they can\u2019t learn. You can break it down into steps, beginning with passing the ball from one hand to the other.That\u2019s all you practice, and you get that down.\u201d Eventually he\u2019d add another ball. \u201cI can teach anyone to juggle, if you practice 15 minutes a day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_kids_learn_new_skills_outside_of_their_zone_of_familiarity_they_build_confidence\"><\/span>When kids learn new skills outside of their zone of familiarity, they build confidence.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Canfield\u2019s new book shows readers how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones using a ritual. Ask kids to write down their \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d statements, and then get rid of them by having a funeral, burning them, or ripping them up. He encourages children and teens to celebrate the death of their \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d beliefs. Then they should look in the mirror and talk to themselves, saying they can and they\u2019ll try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Listen to the entire interview with Canfield:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/lisacohn.audioacrobat.com\/download\/lisacohn-20210420144211-2850.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Help_Your_Kids_Improve_Mental_Toughness\"><\/span>Help Your Kids Improve Mental Toughness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that sports success is linked closely to an athlete\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>mental toughness<\/strong>. If your young athletes struggle to perform well in competition, are frustrated with their performance, talk about quitting or display low confidence levels, mental game training can help.&nbsp;Both you and your young athlete can learn how to&nbsp;<strong>build mental toughness and improve performance<\/strong>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<strong>s<\/strong>ports psychology coaching for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One-on-one sports psychology coaching is the fastest and most effective method to improve your athletes\u2019 mental game, boost their performance, and make lasting changes. And as a bonus, parents learn what to say to help young athletes feel confident and thrive in sports.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please call us at 888-742-7225 with your questions. Please contact us today to learn more about individual mental coaching programs for serious young athletes on a mission to greatness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-kids\/\" style=\"border-radius:10px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GET THE DETAILS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Getting Uncomfortable Builds Confidence Jack Canfield, co-creator of the popular \u201cChicken Soup for the Soul\u201d book series, peak performance expert and co-author of the new kids\u2019 book \u201cI Can Believe in Myself\u201d was a guest on our Ultimate Sports Parent podcast recently. The father of four&#8211;who has been a &#8230; <a title=\"Helping Kids Get Out of Their Comfort Zone\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-kids-get-out-of-their-comfort-zone\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Helping Kids Get Out of Their Comfort Zone\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,292,14],"tags":[392,258],"class_list":["post-7053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-parenting","category-sports-parents-success-tips","category-youth-sports-podcast","tag-sports-parenting-podcast","tag-youth-sports-podcast"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}