BVB - Success Through Inner Strength

How can the BVB become a serious championship contender?

In the documentary 'Inside Borussia Dortmund' two points became obvious regarding this question:
 
1. The BVB as a club could not be better positioned. The right people are in the right place, from management, to the coach and the players; and the right attitude is there.
 
2. Nevertheless, there is still great untapped mental and human potential, which was maybe the reason why the BVB did not win the title in 2019.
 
To make this weakness a strength, the following points are necessary:
 
 
1. Vision 2019/2020, 2020/2021, etc.

• each new season a vision is developed for the team in the preparation phase, which is specifically adapted to the respective composition of the team, but has the timeless values of BVB as a basis
• this vision will be the focus of the ongoing season
• this vision is developed together with all members of the team and carries elements of each individual's proposals, so that each person is committed to and identifies with it

 
Result:

• everyone works hand in hand with each other
• identification with the BVB's Way of Life unleashes enormous human potential for everyone
• collective feelings leads to inner strength, especially when things are not going so well

 

  2. Maximizing each player's mental potential 

• through the integration of the findings of the scientific research in positive psychology and psychology
• turning away from 'polar thinking' and the winner/loser mentality
  • based on the research by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on 'Flow'
  • flow is a psychological condition in which a human being can deliver their optimal performance
  • there are certain conditions under which an individual can  achieve this (skills-challenge  balance)
  • more details in my articles: Unlock Your True  Potential, Never Focus on Winning, Why Athletes Choke Under Pressure

 

• Growth Mindset
  • based on the research on personal development by Dr. Carol Dweck
  • describes a person's attitude when experiencing failure (duality: give up or move on)
  • a person's understanding that there is no limit to their potential as an individual or as part of a team
  • hard work and concentration can make seemingly impossible goals possible
  • Setting unattainable goals is essential because the path you take this way unleash unimaginable forces that would not exist if you were satisfied with easily achievable goals
  • Losses are no longer seen as negative, but as part of a developmental process and as feedback on how far you are in your development towards your goals

 

• Grit
  • based on the research by Dr. Angela Duckworth
  • GRIT = the ability of a person to work with passion and perseverance on very long-term goals and to not give up until they have reached it even if they face adversity
  • how much grit a person has is a much more significant  predictor of success than most other measurable factors
  • Grit can be trained

 
Result:

• Winning or losing is not a main objective anymore
• polar thinking limits the mental potential of everyone
• Winning or losing is not a specific and achievable goal, as you have no control over it; to increase one’s own performance, play better, run more, defend harder, etc., is; which of course can/will lead to a victory
• winning games is therefore a consequence of various controllable factors (not the desire to win)
• winning the championship is not a real goal, it is rather a side effect of hard work and the will of each individual to give their best at all times and to never give up
• winning mentality is replaced by a competitive mentality
• the best athletes in every sport (Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.) are already doing this, because they are not really focused on winning, but are motivated by their competitive spirit and want to continue to perform at their best and push the boundaries of their own limitations
• players will be able to develop a positive mindset and apply it even when being under pressure
• understanding of players that a top performance as a team is only possible if everyone gives their best at all times (even in practice)
• players' understanding of why optimal performance at the touch of a button does not work
• understanding that the players’ mindset and mental strength is the difference between a good team and a great team
• understanding that being under pressure needs to be trained and experienced, e.g. exercises could be integrated in training, which force the players to think several steps ahead mentally
• the stronger the players are challenged mentally, also in practice, the better they are prepared to respond under pressure and then also take responsibility in in-game situations
• everyone in the team needs to be aware that they have to give their best at all times even if they do not play in a game because this will directly and indirectly influence the performance of the team as a whole
• every bench player or injured player in the team must be  continuously involved in the development of the team; everyone in the team needs a task or tasks (e.g. game analysis, player analysis, tactical analysis, mentoring function of older players for younger players, etc.) so that no one can behave passively in training and in a game; these tasks must be authentic
• each player must feel indispensable and important to the team at all times; this in turn increases the feeling of unity and will lead to higher performances of the entire team
• team is only as strong as its weakest member

 
 
 3. Maximizing the team's human potential  

• players need to learn about their most important character strengths and understand how they can use them to improve and help the team
• players need to learn to communicate objectively and focused on results (not what do we do wrong, but what do we have to do better and how do we tackle it)
• payers will understand how important it is to establish a basis of trust between each other
• players need to form a brotherhood and support each other no matter what, especially when things are not going well
• instead of doubting each other, you stick together even if things are not going as planned
• players will learn how important it is to constantly communicate with each other (during training and in the game) and to motivate each other and not increase the pressure on each other
• players will learn to communicate on an emotional level as well; what do they feel and how do they really think about things
• more experienced players will mentor less experienced players
• appreciation of age and experience in non-material terms in the team

                        

4. Goal setting
 

• set short- and long-term goals for each individual player and for the team
• players set the goals themselves and are responsible for achieving them on their own
• goals must include different areas in addition to playing football, e.g. personal development, leadership, success, family, etc.
• regular meetings where the development regarding these goals is analyzed and if necessary adjusted
• communication with the players’ families, as they are of fundamental importance for their emotional and mental stability

 
Result:

• because of the quantity of goals (and the achievement of most of them) the negative feelings associated with a loss in a game can be compensated and the negative consequences will be minimal
• players still believe in their abilities and potential as their mental system is constantly fed with positive feedback (because they achieved, achieve and will achieve so many other goals)
• losing will not affect players as much as it did previously
• players will also increase their achievements in football and become more confident in themselves and in the team by extending their concept of goals beyond football.
• to establish a balance between private and professional life will free up additional mental resources