The Olympic’s have begun! I love sitting on the edge of my seat (or when things get really tense jumping up and down) as I watch athletes put it all on the line. The many hours of training and planning coming together as they compete for a medal. As a coach for top performers it is fascinating to watch the mental game in such extreme circumstances. Last week we talked about identity and how when we reach for a new goal our identity, how we see ourselves, must change. When I watch these athletes I can see in their bodies, in their eyes, in the way they talk, if they are truly comfortable in the identity of being a winner.
The 3rd step in having a successful identity shift is to beware of self sabotage. There’s no better place then the Olympics to see self sabotage. We’ve all watched favored athletes show up and crumble under the pressure. They know what to do. They’ve done it a million times perfectly but under the pressure their anxiety rises and the conscious mind takes over what should be subconscious. The results are usually disastrous.
The same thing happens to us. We move into a new position at work or grow our business to the next level. All of a sudden we forget what we know and begin doing stupid things. Here’s what is happening in the brain. All the skills and strengths that got us there in the first place are subconscious. We are good at them without even thinking (consciously) about it. Now, because we are uncomfortable with our new level of success the anxiety and discomfort grows and we begin over thinking things. We start thinking consciously about things that should be natural and subconscious. Soon we are stumbling around feeling lost.
What do you do about it? The first step is to calm your brain so it works at a peak level. You can do this by exercising regularly, taking quiet time to meditate or use a technique like EFT for at least 5 minutes a day to calm your brain. (If you want to learn how to do this contact me.) Once you have lowered your anxiety level…Ta Da! As if by magic you start remembering what you are good at. You become creative and resourceful again. You will stop self sabotaging and start using your strengths. Soon your new identity will feel comfortable and you will begin loving this level of success. And then, knowing big thinkers like you, you will charge towards that next level of success where you get to do this identity shift all over again! And that my friends, is life as a top performer!
Have an amazing Monday!
Leanna Fredrich, Mindset Coach, Adv. EFT, Adv. Psych-K
Leanna@amazingmondays.com