[Performance Psychology] Developing a Mindset for Peak Performance w/ Dr. Alex Auerbach, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #727
Dec 27, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Alex Auerbach, a counseling and performance psychologist, joins the hosts to discuss developing a mindset for peak performance in professional sports. They explore topics such as identifying core problems, grounding in values and strengths, the balance between process and outcome, and the importance of mental mindset in achieving peak performance.
Performance psychology helps athletes optimize their mindset and consistently perform at their best.
A performance psychologist assists athletes in improving their mental skills, coping with pressures, and navigating challenges.
Athletes can enhance their performance by implementing strategies such as goal setting, self-talk, mindfulness, and reflective processes.
Deep dives
The importance of performance psychology in sports
Performance psychology is crucial for athletes at every level, including high-level professionals like NBA players. It helps athletes optimize their mindset, think more effectively, and perform at their best consistently. By working with a performance psychologist, athletes can address the mental side of the game, improve their self-regulation skills, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles.
The role of a performance psychologist
A performance psychologist works with athletes to help them improve their mental skills and cope with the pressures of high-level competition. They focus on building relationships with players, establishing trust, and offering guidance and support in areas such as goal setting, self-talk, imagery, and mindfulness. They also assist athletes in troubleshooting performance issues, making adjustments to practice plans, and helping them navigate difficulties with coaches or teammates.
Strategies for optimal performance
Athletes can implement several strategies to enhance their performance. This includes setting clear goals, developing a competition plan, using effective self-talk, and practicing mindfulness. Reflective processes such as identifying what worked well and what could be improved can also be helpful. Additionally, techniques like box breathing can be used to regulate arousal levels during competition, and a release-reset-refocus approach can be employed to overcome mistakes and stay focused on the task at hand.
Navigating the mental challenges
Athletes may face various mental challenges throughout their careers, including dealing with pressure, coping with failure, and managing emotions like anger and frustration. A performance psychologist can assist them in navigating these challenges by providing guidance in self-regulation techniques, helping them reframe adversity as a challenge rather than a threat, and teaching them how to set and pursue achievable goals. They also support athletes in cultivating a growth mindset, finding motivation, and maintaining a positive mental outlook.
Building a champion mindset
Creating a champion mindset involves a combination of factors, including a competitive fire, a strong desire to constantly push boundaries, a willingness to learn and improve, and the ability to cope with setbacks and adversity. While some of these traits may be innate or developed early in an athlete's journey, they can also be nurtured and enhanced through the support of coaches, sports psychologists, and the athlete's own experiences and determination.
Alex Auerbach is a counseling and performance psychologist currently working as an executive in professional sports.
He has been fortunate to work with the best athletes in the world in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and Olympians, as well as high-performers in other domains like elite military units, Fortune 5 companies, and venture-backed start-ups.
In addition to his training as a psychologist, Alex is a former college football coach and NFL employee. I've been a part of several venture-backed start-ups in a range of roles from consultant to C-suite.
My areas of expertise include wellness, high performance, performance under pressure, leadership, mindset training, systems optimization, and organizational development.
