The Daily Stoic – James Outman On Why Baseball Is Stoicism

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic,” James Outman, an outfielder for the Dodgers, discusses his love for Stoicism and how it has influenced his baseball career. He shares insights on the mental challenges of a hot start, the importance of perspective, and the impact of success and failure in the game. Join James as he delves into the Stoic principles that have helped him navigate the ups and downs of professional baseball.

Main Takeaways

James Outman’s Stoic Journey

• James Outman, an outfielder for the Dodgers, is a fan of Stoicism and has read Ryan Holiday’s books.

Mental Challenges of a Hot Start

• James had an incredible debut for the Dodgers, becoming the first player to reach base seven or more times in his first career games since 1912.
• James talks about the mental challenges and adjustments that come with a hot start in your career.

Perspective and Appreciation

• Baseball players get frustrated and angry for various reasons, including pent up frustration and the game’s luck-based nature.
• Perspective is important in realizing how lucky one is to be playing professional baseball.
• It’s common to focus on specific instances and forget about past successes.
• In baseball, it’s important to take each day as a win and not get too caught up in the failures.

The Nature of Baseball and Overcoming Slumps

• Baseball is a game of averages, and the averages are against you.
• You’re not going to be perfect every single day; some days you’re going to suck.
• Embrace the slump because when you come out on the other end, you’re going to feel so much better about what you just overcame.
• Confidence and following the process are key to overcoming slumps.
• Streaks of success can be more dangerous than slumps.

Dealing with the Yips

• The Yips is a taboo word, but many athletes have experienced it, including James Outman.
• The Yips can affect an athlete’s ability to perform specific movements, such as throwing the ball.
• Changing arm angle and body position during warm-up can help overcome the Yips.

Performance Anxiety and Overthinking

• Athletes can struggle with performance anxiety when they focus too much on what others are thinking of them.
• In baseball, this anxiety can be compounded by the presence of scouts in the crowd.
• Overthinking can lead to a decrease in performance and the Yips in baseball.

Gratitude and Appreciation

• Lowering the stakes after achieving success can help you be more present and less forceful in your expectations.
• It’s important to step back and realize how grateful you should be for what you have achieved.
• The pandemic showed how quickly everything could be taken away.
• Memento mori – the idea that it could all go away and to appreciate the present moment.

Mental Strength and Mindset

• As we get older, relying solely on raw talent and willpower is not enough to succeed in sports or any other field.
• Mental strength and a strong mindset become increasingly important as we face more adversity and challenges.
• While some people may have natural talent, it’s those who work on their mental game and mindset that truly excel in the long run.

Summary

James Outman’s Stoic Journey

James Outman, an outfielder for the Dodgers, shares his admiration for Stoicism and how it has influenced his approach to baseball. He credits Ryan Holiday’s books for introducing him to Stoic principles, which have helped him navigate the challenges of professional sports.

Mental Challenges of a Hot Start

James discusses the mental challenges that come with a hot start in a baseball career. He shares his experiences of an incredible debut with the Dodgers and the adjustments he had to make to maintain his performance. The pressure and expectations can be overwhelming, requiring a strong mindset to stay focused and grounded.

Perspective and Appreciation

Baseball players often get frustrated and angry due to various reasons, including the game’s luck-based nature. James emphasizes the importance of perspective in realizing how fortunate he is to be playing professional baseball. He highlights the tendency to focus on specific instances and forget about past successes, urging players to take each day as a win and not get too caught up in failures.

The Nature of Baseball and Overcoming Slumps

James discusses the nature of baseball, which is a game of averages. He acknowledges that not every day will be perfect and that slumps are inevitable. However, he encourages embracing slumps as opportunities for growth and emphasizes the importance of confidence and following the process to overcome them. James also highlights the danger of streaks of success, which can lead to complacency and abandoning the strategies that were working.

Dealing with the Yips

James opens up about his personal experience with the Yips, a condition that affects an athlete’s ability to perform specific movements. He shares how changing his arm angle and body position during warm-up helped him overcome the Yips. James suggests that this adaptation can be useful for others experiencing the Yips or similar performance-related challenges.

Performance Anxiety and Overthinking

James acknowledges that athletes often struggle with performance anxiety, especially when they focus too much on what others think of them. In baseball, the presence of scouts in the crowd can compound this anxiety. James also highlights the detrimental effects of overthinking, which can lead to a decrease in performance and even the development of the Yips.

Gratitude and Appreciation

James emphasizes the importance of gratitude and appreciation, particularly after achieving success. He suggests lowering the stakes and being present in the moment, rather than forcefully expecting more. James reflects on the pandemic as a reminder of how quickly everything can be taken away and encourages embracing the philosophy of memento mori – the idea that it could all go away, leading to a deeper appreciation of the present moment.

Mental Strength and Mindset

James emphasizes the increasing importance of mental strength and mindset as individuals face more adversity and challenges. He highlights the need to work on the mental game and mindset, as relying solely on raw talent and willpower is not enough to succeed in sports or any other field. James believes that those who prioritize mental strength and mindset are the ones who truly excel in the long run.

Conclusion

James Outman’s insights on Stoicism and its impact on his baseball career provide valuable lessons for athletes and individuals alike. From navigating the mental challenges of a hot start to embracing slumps and appreciating success, James offers practical advice rooted in Stoic principles. By prioritizing perspective, gratitude, and mental strength, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success in their chosen fields.