Ever heard the expression, “You can’t change the cards you’re dealt, only how you play the game”?
Sure, there’s truth to that statement. But I want to push back a little.
While you can’t control every circumstance, you can influence the hand you’re holding.
In other words, you can stack the deck in your favour through the habits, routines, and mindset you build every single day.
What Does Stacking The “Deck” Mean?
In sport and in life, chance will always play a role. Some days the conditions (like the weather) are perfect; other days they’re stacked against you.
We can’t control every variable that impacts performance. But stacking the deck is about eliminating as much guesswork as possible. It’s about creating a foundation where success is more likely—not because you got lucky, but because you were prepared. That’s where mental preparation becomes your competitive advantage.
Imagine two runners preparing for a big race. They might have the same physical skillset— the same speed, strength, or technical ability. But the one who has stacked the deck mentally shows up calm, confident, and ready to execute their plan. They use visualization to rehearse the course in their mind, reframe setbacks like bad weather or a slow first mile as opportunities to adapt, and practice self-talk that keeps them composed under pressure. When the gun goes off, they don’t panic if things don’t go perfectly—their mental preparation gives her the edge to respond and perform at her best.
This is what stacking the deck looks like in action. You can’t control every variable on race or game day—but you can control how ready you are to respond.
How To Stack It Mentally
Just like physical reps build muscle, mental reps build readiness. Visualization, imagery, and scenario planning allow you to “play the game” before it even starts.
- Visualize success to create a blueprint, so when the pressure is on, the situation feels familiar—not foreign.
- Reframe setbacks to stay adaptable, recovering quickly instead of folding too early.
- Use positive self-talk to reinforce confidence, reminding yourself you’re capable even when the stakes are high.
By practicing these mental skills, you make your responses under pressure more automatic. When your mind is primed, you’re less likely to be thrown off when the cards don’t fall your way.
Hoping vs. Stacking
Hoping for a good hand is passive and leaves your performance up to chance. Stacking the deck, by contrast, is active and intentional.
So ask yourself: What’s one way you can stack the deck today? Even small mental reps accumulate over time, giving you an edge when it matters most.
The more you practice stacking the deck, the more you’ll notice a difference in your confidence, composure, and consistency.
That’s how you turn preparation into performance, and how you tip the odds in your favour, no matter what cards you’re dealt.
This blog was written by Coach Elaina
Blair has over 13 years of experience as a Professional Dancer, Assistant Dance Captain & Cast Manager, as well as an additional 17 years of training. Over the last 3 decades, she has lived and experienced first hand the highest of highs & lowest of lows that come with pursuing a career in the Performing Arts.
As a former member of McMaster University’s women’s soccer team, Emilie intimately understands the demands and challenges athletes face on and off the field. Although she encountered many challenges as a high-level athlete, particularly struggling with self-doubt and overthinking, Emilie was able to make a remarkable transformation when she began to embrace the principles of sports psychology.
Danielle Hanus, MA
Monica Russell, MA
