Part 2 - Negative and Positive Expectancy and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Positive Expectancy Positive Expectancy, the positive use of the Self-fulfilling Prophecy, is the necessary condition for a positive thinking model to work successfully. The Coach must have a firm and fervent belief that the process will succeed and be willing to go the extra mile to ensure its success.

The Falcons at Play

Lester has joined the Falcons team this year transferring from the Jaguars where he has been labeled a hard-headed kid, a troublemaker. During an off-season meeting, the Falcons’ coaching staff had decided that in Lester’s case, as in all cases, they would have a positive expectancy operation going with an additional check on their progress. Coach Gene Ames, who deals more with the infielders, is to take Lester under his wing and make him feel that he’s an important part of the team.

It’s the first practice session and Gene has been helping Lester sharpen up on his footwork around first base. Lester had been a little leery about being transferred to a new team and some of his lack of self-confidence was showing up.

Gene was doing a good job and felt pretty good about the session. He’d used a lot of affirming and verbal rewarding and had kept from getting into conflicts. Every mistake or lack of judgment has been noted and worked on for improved performance.

When Lester said, “Why do I have to learn all that footwork stuff?” Glen replied, “Because it will make you a better player and isn’t that what you want to be?” (Remember that line; it’s one of the best for communicating effectively with your kids.) Lester was surprised. He expected the kind of answer that he got from Coach Harris of the Jaguars, “Because I told you to learn it.”

Have you ever thought about the great opportunity you have when you get a problem kid from another team or take over a team whose coach isn’t nearly as good as you are?

Lester asked, “Why do I have to learn all of that footwork stuff?

Coach Ames answered, “Because it will make you a better player and isn’t that what

you want to be?”