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Keep shoppingA Forward-Facing® Approach to Optimal Performance
24 students
A Forward-Facing® Approach to Optimal Performance
Overcoming Mental Blocks and Achieving Flow
Created byJ. Eric Gentry, PhD
Last updated 11/2024
English
English [Auto],
What you'll learn
- How and why “choking” and the “yips” happen – especially at the most inopportune times
- How to get to and remain in optimal performance (i.e., “flow”) on purpose
- Learn how to “psych yourself down” for optimization
- Develop skills for mitigating shame and getting back on your own team after “failure”
- How to have a little grace and laugh at ourselves.
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Course content
1 section • 7 lectures • 42m total length
Requirements
- No prior experience or specialized tools needed to take this course.
- Willingness to Reflect on Personal Experiences: Being open to exploring and reflecting on past moments of performance, especially those where you felt under pressure, experienced setbacks, or struggled with confidence.
- Openness to Learning New Strategies: A mindset that embraces growth and change, as the course will introduce new tools for overcoming performance barriers.
Description
When I was 11 years old, I tried out for junior league baseball. I did not make the team. It was devastating for me because I had played first string catcher and batted third in the lineup since I was eight. However, the tryouts were held the year after my parents had finalized an acrimonious divorce and I was bounced between my two parents multiple times during that year. During the tryouts, I was in the outfield and one of the coaches hit a high fly ball right to me. I was, at first, excited about catching it and redeeming myself for the poor playing I had demonstrated thus far during the tryouts. As soon as the ball was in the air, I instinctually perfectly positioned myself directly under where the ball was going to drop. However, during the three seconds the ball fell toward me I had a rapidly intensifying physiological threat response that had me double, triple, quadruple thinking my position and increasingly doubting my skills. I can still feel remnant waves of the shame I felt when the ball landed with a “plop” four inches next to my foot—can still hear the laughter of the other kids watching me fail.
How many of you can find similar experiences from your own past? Like taking an exam where you knew the material but could not recall the answers when you read the questions? Performing in front of an audience something you rehearsed many times previous and were competent when practicing but “choked” during the performance. Or getting the yips when you were competing in a sport, game or contest and finding your skills temporarily—but profoundly—diminished?
Are you interested in learning how to prevent these lapses in motor and cognitive functioning? Would you like to be able to intentionally dial-in optimal performance no matter the activity? How about being able to walk into high-demand situations and bring your confidence with you?
Well then join me as I discuss using the Forward-Facing process to help us all perform better with less effort and greater comfort.
Who this course is for:
- Athletes or performers who experience performance anxiety
- Professionals seeking to optimize their cognitive performance during high-pressure situations, such as presentations, interviews, or exams.
- Anyone interested in improving their ability to stay calm and confident under stress.