A performance psychologist works with athletes and performers to help facilitate peak performance.
That’s a powerful statement right there.
No matter whether you’re an athlete, or any other type of performer, how incredible would it be to consistently perform at your peak?
This means going out there and performing at the top of your game not once or twice, but repeatedly!
While that sounds pretty amazing, it’s not magic. In fact, one of the greatest benefits of working with a performance psychologist is the continual growth you will make.
Their aim is to facilitate peak performance. But this is not done through continually focusing on the outcome and obsessing over statistics. It’s done by taking a different approach.
By working through different areas of the mind that influence your performance, they will help you turn your mindset into an asset rather than a liability. In doing so, your physical talents are able to shine through and you put yourself in the best position to reach peak performance.
The way an individual professional goes about doing so varies. Though, there are specific benefits that you can expect and areas that are worked on which make the greatest impact in improving your performance.
These include: building confidence, overcoming anxiety, increasing focus, and finding motivation.
Let’s dig into each one of these a little deeper.
Benefits #1: Increased Confidence
One thing all athletes and performers need is confidence. You have to have the belief in yourself and your abilities. Yet…that can often be difficult to come by.
Many doubts and negative forms of thought creep in which work against your ability to believe in yourself.
What a performance psychologist near me will do is help you understand what is keeping you from being confident and simultaneously show you mental training tools and exercises you can use to increase self-confidence.
Benefit #2: Overcoming Anxiety
Living in the performing world, nerves are natural. But nerves taken to the next level turn into anxiety which distracts you and leads to fear.
As you perform anxious, you will be timid. Instead of focusing on success, your mind will be completely fixed on the idea of not making a mistake. While subtle, that makes a huge difference in your approach.
What a good performance psychologist will help you do is realize what factors are playing into your anxiety. What are you thinking before a performance? What are you focused on during a game?
Then, they will show you certain skills that will work to cultivate a calm mind, rather than one overwhelmed with worry.
Benefit #3: Increasing Focus
There are two types of focus I’m referring to here: in game focus-such as your ability to concentrate on a specific play, and process vs outcome focus.
Through the use of daily exercises, you will be able to strengthen your focus. That means, when the ample amount of distractions present during a performance work against your attention, you will have the mental strength to reel your focus back in.
Process vs outcome focus refers to how you approach games and performances. While every performer wants a certain outcome, focusing on that outcome is not the best option for obtaining it.
Instead, you need to be more process focused. That is something you will learn, which will have a direct effect on you reaching peak performance.
Benefit #4: Finding Motivation
Motivation is interesting because oftentimes it’s not motivation you need but discipline.
But let’s say you just had a really bad game. How do you normally feel?
Some may say that they feel incredibly motivated to get back to training and prove that it was merely a fluke. However, many others will point to a drop in motivation caused by the disappointment of performing poorly.
A performance psychologist will help you understand why you play, why you perform, and what your motivation is to continually improve.
This makes handling setbacks easier and keeps you on a direct path towards your goals.
Final Thoughts
The mind plays a large role in your success, no matter what you do. With athletes and performers it can often make or break their career.
You can have all the physical talents in the world, but if your mind turns out to be a liability you will always perform below your potential.
A performance psychologist will work with you to cultivate a strong mind, one that is an asset on your path to peak performance.