It may seem like a small or trivial matter to some, but the kind of instructions you give yourself during moments of key performance can profoundly impact what transpires.
Anytime a performer plants the idea of what not to do in the mind, the brain has a funny way of punishing the thought. Whatever we tell ourselves not to do usually results in the opposite outcome.
A common myth is that the brain can’t interpret the difference between do and don’t do. But here’s the truth: Telling yourself what not to do usually results in disaster.
The brain and the subconscious are nearly perfect in understanding what you say or think with your inner voice.
The problem isn’t that your mind can’t distinguish between do and don’t. The issue is that your brain is too good. It focuses on exactly what you tell it to.
In other words, when you say to yourself, “Don’t drive too close to the curb,” the brain focuses on the curb.
The end result is execution centered on what you did not want to happen.
Top performers train themselves to always say what they want to happen. They make zero reference to what they want to avoid. As a rule, they never tell themselves what they don’t want to do.
Unfortunately, it is often more natural to focus on trouble or concern and to tell yourself to avoid it. As soon as we fall into that trap, the jaws spring tight.
That’s why practicing positive self-talk and stating your intentions is so important. Telling yourself exactly what you want to do, as in “I intend to…” “I want to…” and “I plan to…” is critical.
Ignore or divert any attention away from what you fear. Instead, focus on what you want. That is the key to high execution.
How you talk to yourself and the thoughts you concentrate on have a tremendous influence on what happens during performance. In the words of one sports psychologist, you must be extremely careful about what you say to yourself because someone very important is listening — You!
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