The Real Competition Is Not Out There – It Is the Voice in Your Head
How a Tennis Book I Read as a Teen Became My Mompreneur Mindset Bible
When I first picked up The Inner Game of Tennis, I was not running a business or chasing kids around the house. I was a teenager just learning to play tennis, obsessed with improving my game but constantly frustrated by my own overthinking.
I still remember sitting on the court bench between drills, thumbing through the dog-eared pages while trying to make sense of why I could hit a perfect forehand in practice and then completely fall apart during a match.
And then I read this line:
"The opponent within ones own head is more formidable than the one on the other side of the net."
– W. Timothy Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis
Boom. Instant gut punch.
Even at fifteen, I knew that voice. The one that screamed, You are not good enough. You are going to miss. Everyone is watching. That quote was the first time I realized my biggest opponent was not across the net. It was me.
Fast-forward to Now...
Now I am a mom, an entrepreneur, a multitasking machine—and yes, still a tennis lover. But guess what? That voice? Still here. Only now it says things like:
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You should be doing more
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You are behind again
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Other moms have it more together
Sound familiar?
Recently, during one of those 2 AM scrolls where you are too tired to sleep but too wired to rest, I spotted The Inner Game of Tennis on my Kindle. I had not read it in years, but something told me to dive back in.
And just like that, it hit different. This time, I was not reading it as an athlete—I was reading it as a mompreneur constantly balancing ambition, responsibility, and guilt like a very ungraceful Cirque du Soleil act.
This Book Is Not Just About Tennis
It is about mindset. And honestly, every mom building a business needs to hear what Gallwey is preaching.
He talks about Self 1 and Self 2
Self 1 is that judgmental inner voice—the one that tells you how badly you are doing, how far you are falling short.
Self 2 is your natural self—the one that knows how to handle things when Self 1 gets out of the way.
And guess what? Self 2 already knows how to crush it.
But as moms and business owners, we live with a loud Self 1. All. The. Time.
What the Inner Game Looks Like for Mompreneurs
Running a business with a toddler in tow? That is not just strategy. That is performance under pressure.
Pitching a new client right after cleaning up a Cheerios explosion? That is resilience.
But here is the thing: even when we are succeeding, we do not feel like we are—because Self 1 will not shut up long enough for us to enjoy it.
That is why I am telling every mom I know to read this book. Seriously. Whether you are building an empire or just trying to get through Monday without losing it, the mental tools in The Inner Game of Tennis are game changers.
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products I use, love, or believe will genuinely help my fellow mompreneurs win the daily match.
Mompreneur Must-Haves That Help Me Play the Inner Game
And yes, I am going full mom-blog mode here. Below are a few Amazon finds that help me manage the chaos, stay focused, and show up as the version of me that knows what she is doing.
1. The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
This one is non-negotiable. Whether you have played tennis or not, it is the mindset reset you did not know you needed.
It is amazing how 5 minutes of stillness can make your brain stop spinning. This has become my daily mom CEO ritual.
3. Guided Journal for Reflection & Confidence
I use this to shut down Self 1. Just putting my thoughts on paper turns off the negative chatter and gives me clarity.
4. “World's Best CEO” Coffee Mug
Because sometimes, you need caffeine and a reminder that you are the boss—even if your team is a little sticky.
5. Smartwatch or Time Tracking Tool
This helps me stay productive without getting overwhelmed. Bonus: I set a reminder that literally says Inner Game Check-In.
Final Thoughts
You do not need to be a tennis player to appreciate what this book teaches. If you are a mom running a business, you are already competing at a high level. And your biggest competition is not on Instagram or LinkedIn—it is in your own mind.
But here is the good news: when you learn to quiet that voice, you realize you have had the skills, intuition, and power all along.
So next time Self 1 starts getting loud, just smile and say, Not today.
Then pour some coffee, check your planner, and get back to being the boss you were born to be.
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