Ep 55: What We Can Do To Perform Better Under Stress with Professor Sian Leah Beilock
Aug 14, 2020
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Dr. Sian Leah Beilock, a cognitive neuroscientist and President of Barnard College, discusses how to perform better under pressure and the psychology behind stress. She shares insights on overcoming performance anxiety and the importance of self-compassion, particularly for children in educational settings. The conversation highlights the need for diverse experiences to foster resilience and motivation in kids, and emphasizes reframing stress as beneficial. Listeners will find practical strategies for navigating anxiety and encouraging effort-based learning.
Understanding the phenomenon of choking under pressure is crucial for students and athletes to combat anxiety-induced performance declines.
Cultivating self-compassion and a growth mindset in children can foster resilience and improve their ability to handle challenges effectively.
Deep dives
Understanding Choking Under Pressure
Choking occurs when individuals perform worse than expected due to anxiety about others’ judgment or the outcome. This phenomenon can affect anyone, from students in exams to athletes during critical games. The fear of looking incompetent can hinder their ability to perform at their best, regardless of prior preparation. It's vital to distinguish this from ordinary performance fluctuations and recognize that the pressure can lead to self-sabotage.
Strategies to Combat Performance Anxiety
Several techniques can help reduce the chances of choking during high-pressure situations. Practicing under similar conditions to the actual performance can build familiarity and confidence, such as having loved ones attend practice sessions before important games. Distraction techniques like singing or light reading can also shift focus away from anxiety-inducing thoughts just before a performance. Additionally, reinterpreting physiological responses as beneficial signals can empower individuals to perform better in stressful situations.
Promoting the Right Kind of Effort
Encouraging children to focus on the quality of their practice rather than just effort is essential for fostering a growth mindset. It’s important for parents to help children understand that progress involves tackling challenges and stepping outside of their comfort zones. By framing failures as opportunities to learn and equipping children with strategies to deal with setbacks, parents can promote resilience. This approach helps kids learn that success comes from the right kind of effort, not merely hard work.
The Importance of Self-Compassion
Self-compassion plays a crucial role in helping individuals thrive under pressure and recover from setbacks. Acknowledging feelings of anxiety without judgment allows for a healthier mindset, enabling better performance. Techniques such as speaking to oneself kindly or using third-person self-talk can foster this compassionate perspective. Ultimately, instilling this mindset helps children cultivate resilience and a balanced approach to challenges.
Cognitive neuroscientist and President of Barnard College Dr. Sian Leah Beilock talks about how we can perform better under pressure, how we can come out of failures to get back in the game, using math to talk about motivating kids during homeschooling and the importance of self compassion…