Brits' sports sayings they live by - including 'control what you can control'

Daily Mirror

20-05-2025

A poll of 2,000 adults found the best advice people have received from others in a sporting environment - including 'run your own race' and 'don't fear mistakes, that's how you learn'
Brits have shared the top advice they've received while participating in sports, with gems like 'run your own race', 'don't fear mistakes - that's how you learn', and 'play because you love it'. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that a whopping 92% felt a boost in confidence after receiving such positive words of wisdom.
Other nuggets of advice that helped bolster self-belief included 'the game isn't over until the whistle blows', 'you win as a team you lose as a team', and 'stay humble in victory and gracious in defeat'. Additional helpful tips were 'control what you can control', 'learn from every defeat', 'confidence comes from preparation', and 'focus on the next play, not the last mistake'.
‌
The study was commissioned by Cadbury as part of their new campaign, Game Changers, which aims to highlight the power of support. The initiative has been endorsed by a host of current and former footballers from the UK and Ireland, including Leah Williamson, Jill Scott, Lauren James, and Katie McCabe, who themselves have been inspired by encouraging words.
‌
The poll also found that 89% believe that words of encouragement foster a more positive team environment, whether in sports, work, or other areas. This advice is most commonly applied when facing setbacks (25%), dealing with issues in friendships (22%), and learning new skills (20%).
The study found that significant proportion of individuals, 16%, have employed supportive phrases to effectively manage their relationships with challenging colleagues.
A survey conducted by OnePoll revealed that the most authentic words of encouragement are typically shared during personal, one-on-one interactions, with 53% of respondents agreeing with this sentiment.
Beth Williams, a junior brand manager at Mondelēz International, a company that owns prominent brands like Cadbury, stated, "Our new study shows just how powerful positive words can be."
Cadbury, as part of its Game Changers initiative, is currently running a social media contest where fans can win an inspiring face-to-face meeting with notable female football players, including Leah, Jill, Katie, or Lauren, via their
‌
account.
Williams continued, "Through our Game Changers campaign, we want to celebrate the individuals who provide crucial support and demonstrate that a little support can truly change the game for someone."
The survey also identified the top five most valuable pieces of advice individuals received during their sporting careers as follows:
Concentrate on your own performance.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes; that's how you learn.
Participate in sports because you genuinely enjoy them.
The game isn't over until it officially ends.
Success and failure are both shared experiences as a team.