652: Daniel McGinn | The Science of Mental Preparation

Sep 14, 2017

Daniel McGinn, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of "Psyched Up," dives into the science of mental preparation. He discusses how elite athletes utilize rituals and personalized highlight reels to boost confidence and manage nerves. McGinn explains the power of reframing anxiety as excitement and emphasizes the importance of healthy routines in both sports and everyday professions. He shares insights on designing practical pre-performance rituals and how to use rivalry strategically for motivation.

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INSIGHT

Mental Prep Has Real Science

Mental preparation has a scientific basis across studies even if practitioners don't know it.
Rituals, priming, and routines reliably change mindset and performance margins.

ANECDOTE

West Point's Highlight Reel Practice

West Point sports psychologists made a lacrosse goalie listen to a narrated highlight reel before games.
They instructed him to use it before sleep, morning, and right before matches to increase confidence.

ADVICE

Use A Greatest-Hits Primer

Build a personal 'greatest hits' playlist of your best work to boost confidence before tasks.
Use it immediately before writing or public speaking to prime success memories.

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Daniel McGinn (@danmcginn) is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, and the author of Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed. The Cheat Sheet: How elite athletes and professionals deploy techniques to boost confidence, reduce anxiety, and optimize energy in preparation for high performance. Why superstition and rituals can actually improve your performance. How to combat pre-performance nerves with music and your own personal "highlight reel." How we can learn to reframe and channel the jitters into the juice that makes us move forward that much faster. Getting psyched up doesn't have to cause a scene; it can be a quiet, internal process. And so much more... Full show notes at https://theartofcharm.com/652/ Find out more about the team who makes The Art of Charm podcast here! Today, over a million people use the amazing Ring video doorbell to help protect their homes. Save up to $150 off a Ring of Security kit when you go to ring.com/charm! Learn over 500 subjects (no tests or homework!) at The Great Courses Plus -- The Art of Charm listeners get one month free here! DesignCrowd helps startups and small businesses crowdsource custom graphics, logos, Web design -- even tattoo designs! Check out DesignCrowd.com/Charm for a special $100 VIP offer for our listeners or enter the discount code CHARM when posting a project. SmartBiz Loans is the most trusted place to apply for the SBA loan you need to grow your business. Visit smartbizloans.com and use promo code CHARM for $500 off your closing costs! The Art of Manliness is a podcast that explores all things manly -- from the serious and philosophical to the practical and fun. Check it out here! Does your business have an Internet presence? Now save a whopping 50% on new webhosting packages here with HostGator by using coupon code CHARM! Free yourself from typing notes, reports, and documents by going with the transcriptionists we trust here at AoC: TranscriptionOutsourcing.net -- 99% or higher accuracy guaranteed! HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you dig the show, please subscribe in iTunes and write us a review! This is what helps us stand out from the crowd and help people find the credible advice they need. Review the show in iTunes! We rely on it! http://www.theartofcharm.com/mobilereview Stay Charming!

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