Getting in the zone consistently for Peak Performance

Being mentally prepared enables you to perform better, avoid unwanted interfering emotions, increase your self-confidence and self-esteem and develop resilience by learning from previous mistakes.

Avoiding distractions and having the necessary calm and the right level of energy is necessary in order to stay motivated.

In marathons, runners are able to relax while running and can more easily maintain a state of mental relaxation compared to, say, a martial artist during a fight, as the latter is always to be on the alert. Every sport and performance has its own energy flow, and measuring and identifying it helps to determine when to use it in the "game" of life and to remain "in the zone", i.e. centred and constantly concentrated.

Various techniques can be used to maintain the right level of energy.Witness three basic techniques:

1 preparing the body and all the necessary equipment, which, depending on the performer, can consist in a musical instrument, a stage costume or a jersey;

2 preparing the mind with techniques(such as a customized visualization) learned with the Mental and Performance Coach, www.performanceexpansion.com;

3 preparing at a strategic and tactical level by picturing not only the ideal scenario, but also the unexpected, and visualising the action plan to manage the latter. In football, for instance, you can watch videos of past matches, assess weaknesses in previous performances and develop an action plan aimed at overcoming and learning from mistakes in order to generate resilience.

Another way to increase peak performance is to repeatedly visualise the times in your life when you performed at the highest level.

Some counter-productive strategies that are often implemented, especially in the field of sport, are consulting and monitoring the statistics of other performers against whom you have to compete, because this not only leads to negative thinking, but also increases the likelihood of this attitude becoming addictive, and thus dysfunctional. There is evidence showing that this method also leads to a worsening of one’s mood and distrust in one’s abilities.

In this regard, when consulting a ranking, have a positive outlook; you have to view it from a constructive perspective, i.e. "all the people in front of me are dragging me and those behind me are pushing me". By doing this, it can be beneficial. Otherwise, this attitude can be mentally harmful. Having people more competent than us around can enable us to improve. Just before a game or a performance, even if you cannot do much physically, you can make a mental investment by learning centring, relaxation and visualization techniques, as well as strategies for the development and installation of internal resources, www.performanceexpansion.com, to facilitate a sense of control, positive emotions of excitement and the right level of energy required for optimal performance. Most importantly, the night before the performance, using custom viewing, watching videos of previous successful performances or looking up to a role model puts your mind in a calm and motivated state. In addition, good sleep hygiene, i.e. being able to rest well two or three nights before the performance in order to strengthen the immune system, can be of great help.

Being in the zone means being devoid of thoughts: the mind is at peace and you are ready for action. Top performers reach this state thanks to their great potential and training. We can all aspire to achieve optimal performance levels and compete against ourselves.