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The Science of Performance
“Athletes are not troubled by events but rather by how they interpret them.”
The competitive athlete with great focus has the ability not to let their mind drift to the future or past. The key is to be the commander of your thinking. Peak performance is a complex interplay between the mind and body, where the science behind performance comes into play.
7.1 Neuroplasticity
The brain has a tremendous ability to rewire and adapt, known as neuroplasticity. To overcome internal sabotaging, get yourself anchored in optimism. By repeating the mantra “What if it all works out?”, “What if I am good enough?” What if I only need to be excellent, not perfect” You’ll break the cycle of negative thoughts.
7.2 Relaxed Concentration
The power of visualization has a tangible effect on relaxed concentration. When you vividly imagine executing specific performances, your brains activate the same neural networks as when physically performing those actions. By incorporating mental rehearsals of your software skills, you’ll enhance your plan of attack, muscle memory and boost confidence.
7.3 Positive Self-Dialogue
The words you speak to yourself have a direct influence on your mindset and performance. Constructive inner dialogue helps you build self-belief, manage stress, and enhance performance.
7.4 Performance Goal Setting
Setting specific performance goals is a scientifically proven strategy for improving performance. Focusing on excellent performance versus perfection creates some wiggle room for imperfection. The better competitors know that every athlete wants to win. Wins are only achieved by focusing on performance goals versus outcome desires.
7.5 Mindfulness
Being fully present in the current moment has a positive impact on performance. By reducing distractions, you’ll remain focused on what matters most in the moment-playing within your identity and attempting to hit the correct shots the moment demands.
7.6 The Non-Judgmental Approach
By analyzing performances without judgment, it helps retain the flow state. This non-judgmental approach allows for observations without condemnations. Doing so keeps the fault-finding ego at bay.
Mental interference happens as you pull your thoughts away from the process and time travel into the past or future. Athletes often interrupt their great performance with excess judgment and critique, unintentionally sabotaging their performance.
