Getting into a peak performance state before competition
March 15, 2010
In order for any athlete to perform their best and achieve great results, they must have access to their best when it is most needed – during competition. Getting your mind into the completion or game is therefore essential. Having access to your peak performance state at the right time can be, and often is the difference between taking first place and coming in dead last. All the training an preparation in the world will not matter if you can’t access it when you need to.
Here is an interesting case study about how mental peak performance coaching helped an athlete turn a disappointing loss into an impressive victory. As well as gave him the ability to to enter a peak performance state whenever he wanted to.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor entered a torment. He had been training hard and his physical skills, abilities and technique had him ready to compete for 1st place. He knew there were a lot of people watching him and instead of focusing on what he should do he turned his attention on them. What happened next was he started to get anxious and nervous. He came out and just couldn’t get him self focused and into the peak state he needed when competing. He was tentative, lost his confidence and strength. The result was a disappointing first round loss.
Determined to not let this happen again he turned to me and mental peak performance coaching. Together we identified the problem, what he did in his mind to create anxiety and unnecessary pressure for him self. We then created an automatic stimulus response that allowed him stay calm and focused before the competition. We also set up, internal triggers that gave him the ability to to enter a peak performance state when he needed. Armed with a new set of tools, confidence and belief in him self he was set to compete a couple weeks later.
What happened next? He entered a competition in which he was severely undersized and not only did he win, he did so in a very impressive, quick and decisive fashion. Here is what he had to say about working with Gene Plotkin on his mental performance:
“I was having a hard time getting into the right mind state and competing as well as I knew I could. After working with Gene I competed in 4 tournaments, 3 of them were 3 weight classes above my own and won 1st place in every one of them. Gene helped show me how to stay calm and collected during those times where pressure and anxiety get the best of us. During my competition I was just out there having fun and it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of my shoulders! I would like to thank Gene and his awesome talent for helping me perform to the best of my abilities!â€
Rome Za
Every athlete has their own pattern and way to get prepared and into a state where they preform their best. However, sometimes before an important competition they throw that routine out the window and start thinking and doing things that they normally wouldn’t. Athletes make the mistake of changing their mental routine before a bid competition. Often the cause of this can be pressure to perform in front of people. With all eyes on them, they lose focus on what is important and start thinking about things that normally wouldn’t cross their mind. Most of the time it’s the types of thoughts that take away energy and produce a nervousness, anxiety and fear. The results are usually weakness, tentativeness and poor performance.
Gene Plotkin
Mental Peak Performance Coach
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