Optimal Performance

Each and every one of us performs tasks, namely daily activities. In some cases, these tasks require a lot of preparation, as in physical and cognitive training, and sometimes this leads people to experience high levels of stress.  

The result of a game, even the most important game of someone’s life, may depend on athletic performance. An audition could change someone’s career forever. Being able not to panic while under pressure might save a life. Those who are to perform a certain task are to tap their talents and skills in order to achieve success and show a version of themselves which is different from their usual self (Hays, 2009). Those who achieve high levels of performance are to cater to requests and expectations, show coping abilities, handle criticism and self-criticism, and face the consequences of their actions.  

As to “top athletes”:

Achieving excellence and obtaining results is what athletes usually aim at. Oftentimes, athletes keep pushing despite the injuries, risks and sacrifices that they may have to face. Most athletes think that success requires “hard” qualities such as perfectionism, strictness, self-discipline and the will to make sacrifices in order to be achieved. In doing so, they fail to realise that the brain also needs “softer” qualities such as compassion, levity and flexibility. A body and mind that are both relaxed and nurtured with positive emotions generate an energy rush that increases motivation, concentration, the flow of oxygen towards tissues and muscle flexibility. This allows for the improvement of the cognitive process of learning and the achievement of optimal performance levels. The athletes I have worked with hold this mental, physical and spiritual level is characterised by the following features:

Feeling more alive than ever

Feeling strong, powerful and fearless

Living “in the moment”

Being physically relaxed

Feeling peace and quiet

Being positive and optimistic

Being able to focus on and take to the task

Having a deep sense of well-being

Experiencing increased awareness

Experiencing readiness

Your state and performance levels reflect your feelings and thoughts, the way you interpret situations as challenges rather than threats or vice versa, and the way you strike a balance both inside and outside you. In order to experience and sustain this state, you need to be focused, but also alert, solid and calm; this way, you can expand on your potential and become “extra-ordinary” (see how) www.performanceexpansion.com