Performance

When I talk to people about performance psychology, there are usually two kinds of reactions:

One is curiosity, what performance psychology may be. That is relatively simple: Performance psychology is the systematic application of psychological principles and techniques to performance. This can be particularly relevant for performance under time constrictions or under pressure of expectations. Performance psychology includes sports- as well as organizational psychology. It deals with topics such as focus, self-efficacy, goals, flow, motivation, emotional intelligence, leadership, group dynamics – it’s a broad field.

The other reaction is ‘ugh… – is it really necessary to always achieve more and more?‘.

The answer is ‘no’. In performance psychology the goals is not to create more pressure and get better at all costs. The goal is to create more awareness and ease. The goal is to align thinking and action with well-being and the task at hand.

Our society has the uncomfortable talent to suggest that we always need to deliver more – higher, faster, further. Many feel pressured – understandably. They tense up and get stuck on goals that they will never achieve this way. Others don’t let themselves get pressured, but follow their inner voice and passion. That does not always make it easier, but it’s a more sustainable approach.

Performance psychology aims to develop a better foundation to nuture great performance. The focus lies in mental balance and clarity more than on the achievement of a goal. Instead of saying ‘I want to achieve this goal to feel better’, the approach is ‘I want to feel better, so that I can achieve my goals’.