Encouragement is more than just kind words. It’s a mental toughness strategy — a behavior that gives us confidence we can succeed. In the world of high-performance athletes, executives, and anyone pushing their limits, encouragement is the inner fuel that drives consistent growth.

If you’re looking to become more mentally tough, more resilient, and more confident, you need to understand encouragement at its core. And it all starts with three powerful words:

BELIEVE. HAVE. WILL.

BELIEVE: I Believe in My Ability

Belief is where it all begins.

You must believe in your own ability. Not just when things are going well — but especially when they’re not.

It’s easy to downplay your strengths. We all have a tendency to undersell ourselves. That inner critic gets loud when the stakes are high, whispering doubts to keep you in your comfort zone. But here’s the truth:

You are in the position you are in because you have ENOUGH talent.

Not necessarily the most talent, or the most experience — but enough.

Enough to compete.​

Enough to lead.​

Enough to win.

And belief grows stronger when you love what you do. Passion fans the flames of belief, giving you the emotional energy to persevere.

So start telling yourself:

• ​ “I believe in my ability.”​
• ​ “I belong here.”​
• ​ “I have what it takes.”​

HAVE: I Have the Expertise

You’ve done the work. You’ve put in the hours. Now, it’s time to own your expertise.

Look back at your journey. Reflect on your wins. Consider the setbacks you turned into comebacks.

Say it with confidence:

“I have the experience. I have the expertise. I have the competency.”

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, entrepreneur, or leader — your past achievements are proof.

Use them as evidence when doubt creeps in.

This isn’t arrogance. It’s awareness. It’s mental toughness built on truth.

WILL: I Will Take Action

This is where belief and expertise come to life — in action.

You can believe.​

You can have the skills.​

But if you don’t act?

You don’t move forward.

Take the classic story of the three frogs on a log. One decides to jump. How many are left?

Still three.

Why? Because deciding isn’t doing.

Even if you don’t fully believe yet…​

Even if you doubt your expertise…

You can still take action.

Action is the ultimate motivator. It builds belief. It sharpens skill. It creates momentum. Say to yourself:

• ​ “I will go learn.”​
• ​ “I will increase my competency.”​
• ​ “I will seek out someone better than me and learn from them.”​

Encouragement is found in motion.

Three Encouraging Behaviors: ATTITUDE, ATTENTION, ACTION

Words matter. But behavior speaks louder.

If you want to build mental toughness and inspire others, develop these three encouraging behaviors:

1. Attitude: Bring the Energy

A great attitude is contagious — just like a bad one.

When you bring positive energy, it lifts you and everyone around you. It becomes a competitive advantage.

When you’re low? Seek out someone with a great attitude. Their energy can reset your mindset.

Your team will feel your attitude. So make it positive. Make it powerful. Make it intentional.

Mental toughness starts with a choice: the choice to bring a champion’s mindset every single day.

2. Attention: Be Fully Present

Encouragement isn’t just talking — it’s listening.

Give people your full attention. Make eye contact. Nod. Ask questions. Reflect what you hear.

When people feel heard, they feel valued. And that is powerfully encouraging.

Attention builds trust. It builds relationships. It shows leadership.

So be the kind of person who makes others feel seen. That’s mental toughness in action.

3. Action: Chase Excellence, Not Perfection

Perfection is paralyzing. Excellence is energizing.

If you wait until everything is just right, you’ll wait forever. Don’t let fear of failure kill your progress.

Pursue greatness — with all its ups and downs. Keep chasing growth, even when the path changes.

The reward is in the pursuit, not just the destination.

Take action. Make the call. Sign up for the course. Step into the room.

Every step forward is a win. Every action builds encouragement.

Final Thoughts: Encouragement Is a Daily Practice

Encouragement isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you create.

By:

• ​ Believing in your ability,​
• ​ Owning your experience,​
• ​ Taking deliberate action,​
• ​ and living out behaviors like attitude, attention, and action…​

You create momentum. You build mental toughness. You inspire others.

And most importantly?

You become the kind of person who fuels belief — in yourself, and in everyone around you.

Ready to Build Real Mental Toughness?

If this message resonated with you — don’t just read it and move on. Take action today.

Start with a simple step: Write down your own BELIEVE, HAVE, WILL statement.

Reflect on your recent wins. Own your expertise.

Commit to ONE action you’ll take this week to grow your mental game.

And if you’re ready to go further — to break through mental barriers, train with purpose, and lead with confidence — let’s talk.

Book a free Mental Toughness Strategy Call

Let’s map out your next step to peak performance — whether you’re an athlete, coach, leader, or high achiever looking to sharpen your edge.

Schedule your call now info@coachpinkston.com

You’ve got the talent. You’ve got the drive.

Now let’s develop the mental toughness to match.