Playing Like You Practice

What’s all the (competitive) doubt about? In my mind, competition doubt includes three major features.These features may at some level exist during practice but not at the same level as competition.

They include:

1. The superman syndrome – thinking you are going to be faster, stronger, smarter or better tomorrow than you are today. Chances are not likely. Sure you might hit an amazing cross court shot, a home run, or lift five pounds heavier but the opportunity for those situations to show up exist for most competitors. The problem is that once this happens you start to expect more or for something just a little outside of your ability to happen again. You actually look for it and when it does not happen you become deflated. What’s the solution: always go in playing to the best of your ability. When amazing, great things happen, celebrate them, but don’t expect them to happen every time.
2. Focus on the outcome – you are focused on winning or losing; your time; the score. If you are focused on these things you are not focused on what you should be focused on. You can’t be focused on the process and the outcome at the same time. If you are losing, looking at the the outcome only drains your confidence. You can’t improve the outcome unless you are focused on the process. The steps are what get you to where you want to go. The process is where you have the most control over your mental and physical abilities. What’s the solution: don’t even look at the score. Why would you? Stay focused on the present and keep giving 100% (100% may look differently at different points during competition).
3. Focus on other people – who are you competing against and who’s better than you? There are few spots at the top: each Olympic event has 1-gold medal. There is 1-World Series Champion. This 1-person might be you especially if you go out and give 100%. I’ve seen clients win over other competitors that were better. If you focus on how good a competitor is you are giving them power over you and you are not focusing on what you need to do to win. What’s the solution: focus on you, your abilities and what you need to do mentally and physically to play your best. This gives you the best opportunity to do your best. Think to yourself – I have as much opportunity as anyone else to win this! 

Dr. Michelle

Three-time bestselling author:  Beating the Competition Demons, Beating the Tennis Demons & From Here to There a simple blueprint for women to achieve peak performance in sports and business