The Authentic Performer

Training Mind-Set versus Trusting Mind-Set

Reprinted with permission of ezine.com

by Kathryn C. Wilder, Ph.D.

Successful performance in different fields follow a similar pattern. While this article focuses on endurance sports, the ideas of performance enhancement that applies to athletics also applies to life.

Likely, your 2009 sports season has begun, and the time off from competition has fueled your competitive fire, and you began this season, like any other, with a clean slate. And, with this clean slate, comes an opportunity to be an authentic performer. Let me explain further. An authentic performer, is one who is free of failure, free of judgment, free of fear and therefore, simply, free to have fun, and perform at one's best. When children play they are not thinking, analyzing or judging their performance. They are not outcome-based, but playing for the sake of play. To get a better idea of the concept of the authentic performer, let's first take a look at two athlete case studies. The first athlete has the tendency to be stuck in a training mind-set, and the second athlete has the tendency to be stuck in the trusting mind-set.

An Athlete Who is in Love With The Training Mind-set

Christopher is a Collegiate cyclist who loves to train. In high school he excelled at cross country running, and would log more than 50 miles a week. On his bike, he trains with a power-tap, and downloads then analyzes the data after every ride. He told me that when he races criteriums he is constantly analyzing every move, and watching his computer, heart rate monitor and power-output. His main concern is that he feels that he is beginning to burn-out. He is not getting the results that he "thinks" that he should based on his power-output. Therefore, he is frustrated, and not having much fun at the races.

Problem: Christopher is very analytical, and uses his left-brain so much in competition, that he can't free-it-up, and let-it-go at the races. He is his own worst enemy in competition because he over-thinks every move.

Solution: Christopher needs to learn to have a balance of the training and trusting mind-set. And, give himself the freedom to perform in a race. In a criterium he needs to ditch the power-tap, and heart-rate monitor, and tap into his right-brain. Then, he can focus on the process of his performance, and not the outcome. An

Athlete Who is in Love With The Trusting Mind-set

Sarina is a pro cyclist who is incredibly talented. She has an astounding VO2 max., and has been a competitive athlete her entire life. She began her athletic career as a 12-and-under National Roller-skating Champion. And, ever since she has won many U.S. National Junior Championships. Flash-forward to her 2008 cycling season, and at the age of 25, her natural ability is not winning as many races in the pro ranks as compared to the junior ranks. Sarina loves to race, but her work ethic is marginal. She tends to not push herself in training if no one else is there to compete against. And, she isn't psyched about taking the extra time to get all of her "technical" equipment working right, and she has little or no interest in setting concrete, tangible goals for her season.

Problem: Sarina is so used to tuning into her right-brain while racing that when it is time to use her left-brain she hits a road-block. She has trouble training for long hours, and sitting down either by herself, or with her coach to analyze her strengths, and weaknesses.

Solution: Sarina needs to know how to develop a solid training routine that kicks in her left-brain. She will benefit from one-on-one work with a coach, and do some problem-solving on how she can optimize her training for peak performance. Setting S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based goals) will be a huge boost to her training performance.

Authentic Performers Have The Optimal Balance Between Training and Trusting Mind-sets

Authentic performers are those people, and athletes who, a.) have a balance between a training and trusting mind-set, and b.) are tuned into when they need to be left or right brain dominant.

Dr. Kathryn C. Wilder is a renowned Sport Psychologist and Adjunct Professor with a doctorate in sport psychology, and a supporting area in counseling. She is a well published author, national champion athlete, and applied performance educator.