Windermere, Fl. A large number of athletes can be found all over the world today. Although it is not obvious, every athlete is similar in one way. They all have a belief or a goal that stimulates them in their sporting performance. Every athlete believes they are capable of a certain physical ability, which then becomes a reality. Belief has played a role throughout the history of sport and lifestyle. These beliefs can focus on different areas, whether it be training or match performance. An athlete's beliefs can also lead to poor performance because they affect their decision-making. Knowing how a person's beliefs affect their performance on the field is extremely important. Their belief may come from various sources, such as childhood events. If an athlete sets goals, it is not for any reason, but rather because they believe in an accomplishment that will help them thrive. Individuals' desired outcome may vary from average points scored, average yards covered, or strikeouts thrown for the season. Coaching is as important as belief, because the first lesson athletes receive when starting every sport is to believe in themselves and have the perfect mindset. The reason this is taught first is because instructors know how the athlete's mindset plays a crucial role in what they do, on and off the field. They want players to be as positive as possible in order to achieve their goals. This self-confidence can also be called self-efficacy, “the belief in one's abilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations” (Bandura, 191). Individuals' self-efficacy plays a major role in how...... middle of paper ...... beliefs can be harmful if the athlete believes they can do whatever they want or if it is affected by social media. His personal beliefs strongly affect what he will do on the field. If a team player believes he can win without his teammates, his performance will be greatly affected if he struggles and continues to make horrible choices. Kobe Bryant shared his experience with his beliefs and success in basketball. Throughout his career, his beliefs have enhanced his self-confidence and skills. His commitment to training shows on the field, as his performances become more and more remarkable. The great player he is today started from the goals he set for himself. Another quote from another great athlete, Muhammad Ali, sums it all up: “To be a great champion, you must believe that you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.”