Exploring how personal identity fosters wellness (Vitality) and encourages self-reflection (Inquiry).
Standing up for oneself and others requires ongoing effort (Perseverance) and awareness of group dynamics (Interconnectedness).
Building confidence supports personal wellness (Vitality) and persistence in reaching goals (Perseverance).
REFLECT
Self-Reflection Questions
EXPLORE
Core Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Identity
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Advocacy
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Confidence
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EMPOWER
Discussing and Considering New Perspectives and Ideas
ENGAGE
Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness, prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas, and connect this lesson to principles in your own life!
…
As you begin to think about your own SELF-RESPECT, ask yourself the following questions.
How do I show respect for myself in how I manage my time, talents, and energy?
When I face setbacks or criticism, how do I respond in a way that maintains my self-worth?
In what ways can I advocate for myself more confidently and constructively?
Exploration sparks curiosity and builds emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
…
Self-respect is an attribute that you develop through your daily choices. It isn’t just automatically given to most people. As a student-athlete, your schedule is packed, and pressure is high. The way you handle these challenges says a lot about how much you respect yourself and your goals.
At the heart of self-respect is knowing what matters to you. Your personal values act like a guide, helping you decide how to spend your time, who to listen to, and what kind of person you want to become. When your actions match your values, you will feel more in control and confident, even when things around you feel uncertain.
Your identity is more than your statistics, grades, or social media following. It includes your background, your experiences, and the goals you have for yourself. Being aware of your identity helps you stay grounded when you face pressure to fit into someone else’s expectations or when others try to define you.
College will challenge you in ways you may not expect. You might change your goals, rethink your priorities, or question parts of who you are. This change is part of growth. Self-respect allows you to make changes without feeling like you are losing yourself. You are not being inconsistent when you grow. You are learning, and that is a sign of strength.
Protecting your self-respect often means setting boundaries. Boundaries help you guard your time, energy, and well-being. Saying no to distractions before a game or choosing rest for an early class shows you are serious about your success. Boundaries are not selfish. They are necessary for maintaining balance.
Standing up for your needs can be uncomfortable, especially when others push back. Learning to advocate for yourself builds confidence. You do not have to explain every decision or make everyone around you happy. The ability to make healthy choices under pressure is one of the clearest signs of self-respect.
How you speak to yourself also plays a powerful role in building identity. If your inner voice is constantly negative, it will drain your confidence over time. Honest self-reflection is important, but so is offering yourself encouragement and forgiveness. The way you talk to yourself during both wins and losses shapes how you handle pressure, setbacks, and success.
Your self-worth should not rise and fall based on your perceptions, performance, or the opinions of others!
…
Understanding your personal values is key to building real self-respect. When you know what you stand for, it's easier to make choices that reflect who you are, and not just who others expect you to be.
Who you are isn’t defined by statistics or grades. It’s shaped by your choices, values, and how you treat others and yourself.
Whether it’s honesty, loyalty, or discipline, knowing your values helps you stay grounded in tough moments.
Staying true to what matters to you (even when it’s hard) is one of the strongest ways of building confidence.
From how you talk to teammates, to how you handle challenges and stress, small simple habits reflect what you truly believe in.
Labels from other schools, past teams, or social media don’t have to follow you unless you let them. Your identity is yours to define.
When you know what you stand for and why you stand for them, it’s easier to say no to things that don’t align with who you want to be.
Focus on your own progress and purpose instead of measuring yourself against teammates, influencers, or professionals. Comparison is the death of joy.
Reflect regularly, ask yourself what matters most now, and don’t be afraid to change direction. Your values should grow with you!
…
…
Setting boundaries is a powerful way to protect your time, energy, and sense of self. Knowing your worth means recognizing when to say no, stand up for yourself, and prioritize your well-being in all aspects of your life.
Saying “no” is a form of self-respect, not selfishness. Whether it's turning down a late-night outing or passing on harmful substances, your limits matter.
You do not have to explain or justify every boundary. “I’m not available right now” or “That doesn’t work for me” is enough.
Healthy boundaries help you avoid burnout. Rest, relaxation, and downtime are just as important as time spent working.
People who respect you will respect your boundaries. If someone constantly ignores your limits, that’s a red flag and not a reflection of your value as a person.
Your self-worth isn’t based on how much you do for others. You don’t need to overextend yourself to feel valuable or prove loyalty.
You are allowed to set boundaries with coaches, teammates, family, and friends. The important thing is keeping yourself balanced and respected.
Feeling guilty for protecting your peace is normal, but don’t let it stop you. Respecting yourself sometimes means making others uncomfortable, and that’s okay.
Your worth is not up for negotiation. No comment, outcome, or opinion changes the fact that you deserve respect, rest, and the right to be yourself.
…
…
How you see yourself influences every part of your college experience; from how you compete, to how you handle stress, to how you treat others. Building self-confidence means recognizing your own value, even when things aren’t perfect.
Self-respect starts with how you talk to yourself. If you wouldn’t say it to a teammate, don’t say it to yourself.
You are far more than your wins and losses. Mistakes, losses, or setbacks don’t define your value as a person.
There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Confidence is believing in your worth without needing to prove it to anyone.
Respect is not dependent on your perfection. Your weaknesses don’t cancel out your strengths.
Your self-image is shaped by what you let yourself see. Choose to notice your effort, progress, and resilience and not just your mistakes.
Surround yourself with people who respect and uplift you. Being around negativity can warp how you see yourself over time.
Your worth doesn’t come from outside validation. Social media validation, features, ranks, or praise are nice but they don’t define who you are.
How you view yourself affects how you work. When you respect yourself, you’re more likely to set goals, follow through, and treat others with respect too.
…
…
Now that you have reviewed all of the lesson content, it’s time to see how new perspectives work in your daily life!
Either in a journal or notebook of your own choosing, or on a document provided to you, write short but thoughtful responses to the following questions. Your responses will not be collected or graded. Be open and honest with yourself as you consider each of the questions.
Then find 1 Program Director, Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, or Team Captain. Find a time to speak with them briefly, but with minimal distractions. Ask them about their perspectives and ideas based on the following questions. Write down responses to the best of your ability!
You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach. The REBOOT Coach will discuss the following questions with you, and discuss the impact of these concepts in your daily life.
…
ASK YOURSELF :
[Identity]
How would you describe who you are beyond just being a student-athlete? What parts of your identity are you most proud of right now?\
[Advocacy]
When have you had to speak up for yourself in an academic, competitive, or personal setting? What helped you find your voice, and how did it feel afterwards?
[Confidence]
How do you remind yourself of your strengths when you're struggling or feeling uncertain? How do you keep believing in yourself in hard moments?
ASK OTHERS :
[Identity]
How do you help student-athletes embrace who they are as individuals, especially when they’re trying to fit in or meet certain expectations?
[Advocacy]
What advice do you give to someone who’s learning how to speak up for themselves while still being respectful and constructive?
[Confidence]
How do you help build confidence in students who are doubting themselves or facing setbacks? What actions or attitudes make the biggest difference?
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved
