⭕️ The Inner Game of Tennis

Hey friend,

Don’t know if you can relate but one thing I have always struggled with is this inner voice of “you’re not doing enough”.

Last week I was listening to a podcast and they were talking about this and referred to this book called the “Inner Game of Tennis” Initially, I thought it was a sport’s book but eventually realized this was the book I needed to help me work on my inner monologue that has held me back in a lot of instances.

Think you will really like this one…

read time: 3 mins

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Unleashing Your Inner Champion

This book, written by W. Timothy Gallwey in the 70s, is about the mental game behind anything you want to do well.

The premise is simple but powerful. There are two games we all play:

1. The Outer Game: the visible, external stuff - deadlines, performance, exams, meetings, etc.

2. The Inner Game: the invisible battle in our heads - doubt, fear, imposter syndrome, self-criticism.

Most of us focus so much on improving the outer game (learning more, doing more, working harder) that we ignore the inner one.

But Gallwey flips that. He says your performance isn’t just about skill. It’s about Potential − Interference.

And that interference? It’s mostly in your head.

Self 1 vs Self 2

Gallwey introduces two inner selves:

• Self 1 = The Critic. It’s the voice that says: "You’re not good enough." "You’re going to mess this up."

• Self 2 = The Performer. It’s your intuitive, capable self that knows how to execute.

Here’s the catch: Self 1 constantly interrupts Self 2.

Imagine trying to give a presentation and your inner critic keeps yelling, "Don’t stutter. Don’t mess up. They’re judging you."

Self 2 would do fine on its own. But Self 1 is in the way.

The solution? Learn how to quiet Self 1 and trust Self 2.

Three Actionable Things You Can Do

1. Observe Without Judgment

Most of us instantly label everything:

• "That meeting went terrible."

• "I sucked at that interview."

Gallwey suggests practicing non-judgmental awareness:

Instead of: "I messed up." Try: "I paused for 3 seconds before answering."

Just notice. Observe. Let your brain learn without the shame spiral.

2. Let It Happen (Don’t Force It)

Self 2 performs best when we’re not micromanaging it.

Think about times you’ve been in flow—presenting, playing, creating—and it felt effortless.

That’s Self 2 in charge.

Gallwey says: "Don’t try harder. Trust more."

Visualize what you want. Then let it happen.

Honestly, this is how babies learn to walk. They don’t coach themselves through it, yell at themselves when they fall, or overthink the angle of their foot. They just try, fall, get back up, and keep going.

Same thing with riding a bike. (Okay, I’ll be real with you - I still don’t know how to ride one. Don’t judge. I’m trusting my Self 2 will figure it out one day.)

3. Redirect Your Inner Voice

You don’t need to completely silence Self 1. Just give it a better job.

In tennis, Gallwey tells players to say "bounce" and "hit" when the ball does those things. It keeps their mind present.

In your work?

• Focus your mind on the person you’re helping.

• Pay attention to your breath.

• Repeat an empowering cue.

Presence over perfection.

My friend, as someone in this community, I know you hold yourself to a high standard. But sometimes (just like I have experienced), that can lead to being too hard on yourself and having your self 1’s voice interfering from you taking action. I am hoping that reading this has given you some additional tools you can now use to make the voice abit more quite and allows you to start taking action.

Curious to learn - what does your self 1 usually say to you?

Sending you good vibes my friend,

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