Principles First Approach to Mental Resilience (Part 1 of 3)

Traditionally, learners are introduced to psychological skills by learning the basics of goal setting, visualization, and self-talk (Weinberg & Gould, 2019). My preferred approach starts with the understanding of basic psychological principles, helping learners recognize their innate tendency for self-regulation, imagining future outcomes, and setting goals. By reflecting on past experiences where these tendencies helped them overcome challenges, learners gain insight into their existing strengths.

Consequently, the purpose of psychological skills training is to help them intentionally leverage these strengths to enhance performance and resilience. This approach requires a paradigm shift from viewing the learners as passive recipients of knowledge, waiting to be taught specific skills, to the assumption they already possess the innate resources needed to succeed (Rogers, 1995).

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Navigating Between Outcome, Performance, and Process Goals

“I am NOT supposed to think about the outcome and winning! I should focus only on the process…”

“My goal is to win, which is all that matters!”

Do these statements sound familiar? These are some of the myths related to goals, and they typically stem from an incomplete understanding of how goals work. For example, while it is true that focusing on the process helps reduce anxiety and stay in the present, dismissing outcome goals entirely can lead to a lack of direction or competitiveness. On the other hand, I remember working with athletes on the verge of quitting their sport because they were fixated solely on winning and felt like every loss was a personal failure.

In this blog post, I will explain how you can orient yourself to different types of goals—whether outcome, performance, or process—based on your needs. This skill can help you maintain motivation, reduce pressure, and enjoy the journey while maximizing your potential.

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The Myth of the “Zone”

The “Zone,” also known as the flow state, has been described by performers as effortless, where everything clicks perfectly, and they achieve a heightened sense of performance (Jackson et al., 2001). While this state undoubtedly leads to enhanced confidence and focus even under competitive pressure, it is essential to understand that the “Zone” can be elusive and cannot be directly summoned at will.

When the zone calls, you must listen. You never know how long being in the zone lasts.
John Passaro

Since the flow state may happen spontaneously or fleetingly, but it cannot be consistently manufactured, does that also mean that we have to leave our confidence and focus to chance?

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