How to manage your emotions like a pro:
On & Off the field
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.”
— Bob Feller
In baseball and in life, emotions shape how we focus, decide, and perform. Everyone feels
frustration, disappointment, or anger — the key is what we do with those emotions.
That’s where the mantra “Feel it, Flush it” comes in.
It’s a simple, powerful reminder that we can experience emotions without letting them take over.
Why It Works
Emotions can narrow our attention. When we’re worked up, we miss cues and make
more mistakes — whether we’re at the plate, in a meeting, or navigating a hard
conversation.
Learning to feel emotions but not act on them helps us stay calm, present, and effective.
And composure isn’t something you’re born with — it’s trainable.
Athletes, parents, and leaders who practice emotional reset strategies — like breathing,
routines, or cue words — strengthen their ability to return to calm quickly after stress.
A Coach’s Script
When teaching this to players, keep it short, kind, and concrete:
“Hey, it’s okay to feel mad or disappointed when something goes wrong — that’s human. The best players learn to feel it, then flush it. Move on to the next pitch. That’s how you keep your head in the game.”
That same cue works for anyone:
Bad day at work? Argument at home? Missed opportunity?
Feel it. Flush it. Move forward.
More Than a Game
Coaches set the emotional tone for their teams — just like parents, partners, or coworkers set the tone in daily life.
When one person stays calm, that grounded energy ripples outward.
Respecting others, even when things get heated, also protects relationships.
In sports, it means fewer penalties.
In life, it means fewer regrets.
“What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, is what makes the biggest difference of all.”
— Willie Mays
Pro-Level Examples
Derek Jeter was famous for his “short memory.” He learned from mistakes, turned the page, and refocused on the next play — a mindset that fueled his consistent success.
Mariano Rivera was legendary for his calm. Teammates said his steady presence under pressure helped him execute when others folded.
And Michael Jordan once said:
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Jordan didn’t avoid failure — he flushed it and moved forward every single time.
Your Everyday Playbook
You don’t have to be an athlete to use this mindset:
- Sent an email you regret? Feel it, Flush it. Learn and move on.
- Stuck in traffic or stress? Feel it, Flush it. Breathe, reset.
- Tough day? Feel it, Flush it. Don’t let one moment define your whole day.
It’s not about ignoring feelings — it’s about feeling them fully, then letting them move through instead of take over.
Final Thought
“Feel it, Flush it” isn’t just a baseball cue — it’s a life skill.
When emotions rise, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s presence.
So the next time frustration shows up, take a breath, release it, and step back up to the plate.
Feel it. Flush it. Then move on.
