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What is SELF-WORTH?

Self-worth is the set of behaviors, images, thoughts, and emotions (BITEs) that one associates with one’s own competencies and oneself. Self-talk and self-appraisals are expressions of self-worth, which is fundamental to success in sports and life. Positive self-worth comes from a favorable assessment of your ideal and actual selves.

 

Take The MSA

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INTERPRETING THE SELF-WORTH SCORE ON THE MSA

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Athletes with high levels of Self-Worth possess a respect for themselves that is not dependent upon being a successful athlete, receiving rewards and recognition from others, or achieving high levels of performance. Athletes with high levels of Self-Worth experience less anxiety, feel less guilty and ashamed when setbacks occur, and their Self-Worth is based upon a belief in their basic goodness and value as a person. Athletes with high Self-Worth scores are not jealous of the success of others and believe they themselves deserve success when they put in the required time and effort.

 

WHAT CAN INFLUENCE THE SELF-WORTH SCORE?

High levels of Self-Worth enhance Open to Feedback, Leadership, Task Confidence, Goal Setting and Goal Implementation.

TIPS FOR ATHLETES

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What is the evidence for and against the presence of a positive sense of Self-Worth? Is your MSA score high or low? What are your Self-Worth BITEs?

  1. Do you know how you appraise your own competencies and yourself and how it influences your sense of Self-Worth? You can answer this question by observing the BITES - behaviors, images, thoughts, and emotions – that are associated with your descriptions and appraisals of yourself (see Open to Feedback).

  2. Make two lists of your positive BITEs – make one list as an athlete and one list of non-athletic BITEs. Which list is longer, more important to you, do you believe in more firmly?

TIPS FOR COACHES

What is your role in developing your athletes' Self-Worth? Can I distinguish between an athlete's accurate and inaccurate negative BITEs?

  1. An athlete whose Self-Worth is not overly dependent on performance in sports is more able to handle pressure situations in sports and respond positively to setbacks.

  2. When criticizing behavior or performance that requires improvement, criticize the behavior and not the person.

ATHLETES

When I set a goal, do I usually follow through and implement a plan to reach that goal?

Do I layout a specific plan to reach a goal?

COACHES

Do my athletes believe in and adapt the goals put forward by the team?

Do I recognize when I may need to suggest modifying an existing goal for an athlete?

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