Explore the psychology of winning and losing with guests like former soccer player Abby Wambach and cognitive scientist Sian Leah Beilock. They discuss thriving under pressure, strategies in intense matches, the pitfalls of overthinking, and empowering women in sports. Learn how to optimize performance and embrace the process for success.
Resilience and seizing key moments are crucial for victory in sports.
Near-wins drive individuals to pursue excellence and sustained growth in their endeavors.
Deep dives
The Psychology of Winning in Sports
Winning in sports involves a complex interplay of mindset, skill, and strategy. Professional athlete Abby Wambach shares her intense experience during the Women's World Cup quarterfinals between Team USA and Brazil in 2011. Facing challenges such as losing a player and intense game pressure, Wambach's strategic mindset and focus on seizing opportunities eventually led to a game-changing goal. Her story highlights the importance of resilience, mental fortitude, and seizing key moments in achieving victory.
The Impact of Near-Wins on Mastery
Writer Sarah Lewis delves into the concept of near-wins and their integral role in achieving mastery. Drawing from examples in archery and sports psychology, she illustrates how near-wins propel individuals to persevere and pursue excellence. By valuing the insights gained from almost achieving success, individuals are motivated to continually strive for improvement, leading to sustained growth, commitment, and pursuit of mastery in their endeavors.
Transforming Setbacks into Opportunities
Sarah Lewis emphasizes the transformative power of setbacks and near-wins in personal and professional development. Using examples from the sports world and psychology, she underscores how setbacks can fuel resilience and drive individuals to reach new heights of success. By reframing failures as opportunities for growth and learning, individuals can harness the momentum gained from near-wins to propel themselves towards mastery and continuous improvement.
The Culture of Sports and Spectatorship
Sports journalist Kate Fagan explores the cultural significance and impact of sports on society. She delves into the gender disparities in sports coverage and the critical role of storyline and stakes in captivating audiences. By examining the power of generational inheritance, storytelling, and shared community experiences in sports, Fagan highlights the importance of valuing women's sports and creating inclusive narratives that engage diverse audiences, fostering a sense of cultural connection and shared investment in athletic achievements.
The thrill of victory; the agony of defeat. Sports cliches are everywhere. But what does it actually take to think like a winner? This hour, TED speakers explore the psychology of winning and losing. Guests include former professional soccer player Abby Wambach, cognitive scientist Sian Leah Beilock, journalist Kate Fagan and art historian Sarah Lewis.
TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted