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Popular Performance Anxieties
To illustrate how unique personalities operate differently, I’d like to reintroduce you to the twins: Evan and Jarrod. Let’s again call upon the brothers to offer their take on the following top ten performance anxieties. (Following is Solution Number 4)
4. The Wandering Mind
Evan: I apply the TV channel analogy you taught us. Each state of mind is like a different TV channel. In competition when I’m bored or scared, I choose to remain on my “performance script” TV channel. Controlling my focus allows me to stay on script without drama. I know that choosing to flip to other channels in competition due to under and over arousal complicates matters. So, if I do briefly drift away from my script, I’m trained to quickly return to my performance frame of mind.
Jarrod: Um, like… I don’t see the connection. Yeah, my mind wanders in and out of my performance frame of mind at times… But it wanders because the opponents are no good. I mean I can focus when I have to… I guess.
Frank’s Tip: The first question to ask an athlete with a wandering mind is, “What is pulling them off script? Is it an internal or external stimulus?” Internal distractions include thoughts such a negative outcome or physiological sensation such as a psychosomatic injury brought about by stress. External distractions include the elements, competitors, spectators, etc. While both internal and external stimuli may impede performance, it is essential to identifying the cause of distraction in order to implement the proper solution.
