12. How To: Build Mastery and Cope Ahead

Welcome to TITW: Sports Edition! In this episode, Molly and Liza use an uncharacteristic amount of sports examples to illustrate the last two skills of the Emotion Regulation module: Building Mastery and Coping Ahead. Before we get into the material for the week, we share listener examples of go-to pleasant activities, and Molly describes a recent situation where being overly goal-oriented increased suffering and refocusing on values reduced suffering. Next, we explain how to Build Mastery by doing things that make you feel competent and effective to combat helplessness, hopelessness, and even depression. Liza and Molly discuss what we can all learn from the most successful professional athletes in terms of building mastery. To wrap up the module, we teach how to Cope Ahead of time with emotional situations. This includes rehearsing a plan ahead of time to prepare you to cope skillfully with anticipated challenges. Finally, Liza coaches Molly to Cope Ahead for and Build Mastery in playing tennis. We hope you enjoy :)

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