We talk to ourselves constantly throughout the day, whether positive, negative or neutral. The point is, some forms of self-talk sets one up for success, while other forms set one up for failure. Some self-talk is even done subconsciously, thus it is important to engage in positive self-talk.
For Auburn senior multi-event athlete, Natosha Jordan, positive self-talk is incredibly important to staying in the right mindset to compete against the best in the country. She considers this to be her weakness as she easily slips into over thinking and psyching herself out.
"One of my strengths is just going out and doing what I know how to do," said Jordan.
Jordon transferred to Auburn from the University of Central Florida. After falling in love with the campus and the idea of the Auburn Family, Jordon knew Auburn was the place for her.
"From the day I spoke to Coach Richardson, to me visiting the school, he saw so much potential in me I didn't even know was there," Jordan said. "I wasn't very confident in my talent or performances and immediately he reassured me how much I deserve to be competing at the SEC level."
Richardson quickly recognized Jordan's hard-working nature.
"As much as anything technical I may have tried to offer her, I've tried to instill in her a belief in herself and she has answered that call," Richardson said.
"If I had to describe Tosha in one word it would be resilient," Richardson said. "No matter what comes her way, she continues to press forward towards her goals. She's got a great attitude and is willing to work for not only what she wants but for the good of the team."
Jordan has a great support system, saying her training group and coach are the "greatest support system I have physically with me."
Her family cheers her on as well, always excited to hear about meets even if they do not completely comprehend what is going on.
"They always help me shake off the bad days and move forward and I wouldn't trade that world," Jordan said.
Jordan trains with fellow multi-event athlete, Keira McCarrell. The two are able to push each other in ways no one else can.
"Her strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa so we push each other in every event," Jordan said.
"Training with Tosha (for two years), she pushes me and the rest of the group by grinding on every rep," said fellow high jumper Dontavious Hill.
Hill says Jordan is one of the most genuine people he has ever met by the way she carries herself.
"Tosh is a great teammate, she's comes to practice and works hard every day, I have never seen her slack off," Hill said. "She is extremely competitive and holds herself to a high standard."
Last season, Jordan finished fourth in the heptathlon at the SEC Outdoor Championships. While not exactly what she wanted, the place just off the podium boosted her confidence overall.
"It wasn't what I wanted but out of seven events that I did over two days, I PR'd in five of them," Jordan said. "It also made me hungry for more."
This indoor season has been a success. Jordan has three new PRs in the high jump (1.77m/5-9.75). 60m hurdles (8.67) and in the pentathlon (3865 points).
"She's had a solid indoor season thus far and we're looking forward to SECs and, hopefully, NCAAs," Richardson said.
With a solid season under her belt, Jordan looks to conquer the SEC Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas, this week. Slated to compete in the grueling pentathlon along with the high jump, Jordan knows she will perform well if she simply goes out and does what she knows how to do, and not overthink anything.
Her goal for the season is to reach her full potential as an athlete on her way to qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
"As she enters her second and final season with us, we both have set high but attainable goals for her," Richardson said. "She's developed into one of the better high jumpers and multi-event athletes in the nation and we want to finish out the indoor season strong and carry that momentum into the outdoor campaign."
Everyone in the world can believe in you, but nothing with happen until you have that belief in yourself.
"At the end of the day, you have yourself, you have to look yourself in the mirror and pat your own back," Jordan said. "So many people can be proud of you and that means a lot, but you need to be proud of yourself and that's what matters the most."