Written by Stefan Peter, Pro Soccer Mindset Coach
Stefan Peter is a mindset expert for pro soccer players, teams, and coaches. He's the creator of the Emotionset-Method, helping athletes overcome mental and emotional challenges to unlock what he calls "Performance-Joy”.
Do you ever feel like focusing too much on your goals or performance makes you overthink and second-guess yourself? Let’s talk about how you can improve as a soccer player (and beyond) by making the process more enjoyable—and ultimately, more effective.
Most players set goals, which is great. But there’s a big difference in how you approach them:
Outcome Goals are about results, like winning a game or scoring a goal. While motivating, they’re often out of your control. Instead of stressing over results, shift your focus to what you can influence.
Performance Goals are about specific skills or stats, like improving passing accuracy or sprint speed. These give you more control and are often worth focusing on. However, they can have a downside: if you become too fixated on getting it right, it can drain the fun from the process because you are stuck in a loop of overthinking.
Shift your focus to joy
So, what if instead of locking onto performance or outcomes, you tried Goalsetting 3.0 in 2025? It’s about shifting away from an overactive, outcome-driven mindset and instead embracing how you feel while playing—finding moments of joy even in tough situations.
This is what I call Joyful Overpowering.
Think about elite players like Cristiano Ronaldo. Do you think he could sustain such a high level for so many years if he didn’t find joy in the long, grueling training sessions?
Joyful Overpowering is about challenging yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, and embracing mistakes with curiosity and positivity. When you do that, you grow faster and enjoy the process more.
Try this: The positive body language drill to reach your goal
Goal: Build confidence and joy by focusing on body language and mindset, not performance.
Set up: Use any drill you’re already practicing—whether it’s a passing sequence, small-sided game, or even something outside soccer, like responding to emails at work.
Instructions: During the activity, let go of concerns about mistakes or performance. Instead, focus entirely on maintaining positive body language and an empowering inner mindset. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and chest out. Tell yourself:
“I am the best at what I do.”
“I feel grateful for my healthy body.”
“I’m lucky to be practicing today, surrounded by great people.”
Reflection: After the drill, reflect on how this focus affected your mood and energy. Did you feel lighter, more confident, or less stressed about results?
Why joyful overpowering works
Players perform their best when they’re not overthinking or weighed down by pressure. The Yerkes-Dodson Model from sports psychology explains that performance peaks at a balanced level of emotional arousal. If you don’t care enough, your performance suffers. But if you’re too anxious or stressed, you can also underperform.
Joyful Overpowering helps players:
Stay present and focused (mindfulness).
View challenges as opportunities rather than threats (growth mindset).
Build resilience by embracing mistakes as learning moments (self-awareness).
A message for coaches and parents
As coaches and parents, you have a unique opportunity to shape a young player’s mindset. By encouraging experience-based goals, you help them not only excel in soccer but also develop life skills like resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence.
For coaches
Focus on emotional intelligence in your leadership, starting with self-leadership.
After a game, prioritize the bigger picture over nitpicking mistakes. Guide players toward the season’s vision rather than immediate results.
For parents
Instead of asking questions like “Did you win?” or “Did you play well?” try:
What did you enjoy most?
What was exciting about today’s game or practice?
Was there something new or challenging you tried today?
How do you think you supported your teammates?
What’s something you’re proud of from the game?
How can I support you better after games?
These subtle changes in language can reinforce the Joyful Overpowering mindset and support your child’s growth both on and off the field.
If you’re looking to improve your breathing to stay calm or enhance your focus and concentration within 29 days, feel free to reach out. If you want to explore these concepts further to help improve your team within 29 days, I’m here to help. And if you’re a parent wanting to support your child in becoming more resilient and confident both on and off the pitch, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
My mission as a coach is to change mindsets, helping as many people as possible thrive with resilience and joy through the beautiful game of soccer.
Stefan Peter, Pro Soccer Mindset Coach
Stefan Peter is an expert in mindset and personality development. He holds a Masters Degree in Sports Health and Leadership and works mainly with international pro soccer players, teams and coaches. He is the creator of the Emotionset-Method, a revolutionary 29 day Program to help athletes overcome mental and emotional limitations and to help them unlock their bigger picture in life. His own struggles as a young athlete, especially after the death of his father, inspired him to become a coach and a mentor to athletes facing similar mental and emotional challenges. He believes in creating environments where elite high performers can also embrace joy, passion, and purpose on and off the pitch, shifting away from solely fighting against each other and the constant "no pain, no gain" mentality.
