The Foundation of Performance
Dr. Rob Gilbert has said, “Performance = ABILITY – interference”. It’s so simplistic, it’s hard to imagine how completely true this is. Take it from someone who has a knack for overcomplicating the simplest of things. There is something worth unpacking from the concept of interference, however. Building a strong foundation of mental skills is the key component of this equation and this foundation has 4 essential tenets: 1) Awareness 2) Attention 3) Regulation and 4) Composure.
Awareness is the first critical element of this foundation, because without it, no changes or adjustments could or would be made. Change and adjustment carry an element of discomfort, which is often why it’s so much easier to choose to stay in the same place or state. If you’re under the impression or convince yourself that, everything is working fine or that there is nothing within your own control that is able to be changed or adjusted, then there is absolutely no reason to extend beyond your comfort zone.
Paying attention to the right thing, at the right time is another great influencer of performance. All of the skill and ability in the world won’t get you anywhere if your attention is not on the task at hand. Furthermore, being able to limit the noise both internal and external is requisite when we talk about attention. Distractibility in the form of having attention pulled away, because of activity going on in the environment or getting stuck in one’s own head are both detrimental in sports and non-athletic arenas alike.
Being able to self-regulate is one of the most valuable skill of adulting regardless of whether or not you play sports at a high level. Recognizing your own level of activation in a given situation and be able to manage your reactions so that you respond appropriately and effectively, could very much mean the difference between winning and losing. How many times have you watched a high-level sporting event, and someone effectively loses their stuff? And how many times have you seen it go straight downhill from there? Emotions are not just thoughts with flavor, they are living, breathing, chemical and electrical experiences. We must acknowledge the complex physiology that is involved in strong emotions if we are going to learn the skills necessary to regulate our body and minds as these feelings occur.
Composure is a consequence of effective self-regulation techniques among some other secondary skill sets. It begins with a sense of control and mastery over our internal world and culminates with a sense of self-confidence that transfers from sports into life. It’s more than just saying, “I know I can do it”. True composure is humble and patient, as well as confident.
We have some limits to what we can cultivate with our ability because ability involves to a large extent, talent. However, awareness, attention, self-regulation and composure are skill sets that can be developed and mastered!
