You're Thinking Your Way to Poor Performance

You're grinding yourself into the ground trying to be perfect. What if that's exactly what's holding you back?

Every athlete knows the body-performance connection. Train hard, eat clean, sleep well — your game improves. Simple.

But here's what most miss: Your brain works the exact same way.

How you treat your mind determines how you play. And right now, you're probably destroying your performance by taking it too seriously.

🎯 The Problem: Your Mind is Working Against You

When your brain is:

• Tense and chasing perfection

• Stressing about every mistake

• Treating each play like life or death

Your body responds with:

• Heavy, unresponsive legs

• Hesitant decision-making

• Fatigue that has nothing to do with fitness

You're literally thinking yourself into poor performance.

⚡ The Solution: Zoom Out and Let Go

Peak performance requires the opposite of what you think. It doesn't ask you to try harder.

It asks you to let go. To enjoy. To relax. To trust that your work is enough.

Here's the big picture perspective that changes everything:

Mistakes aren't failures — they're lessons. Every "bad" play teaches you something valuable that perfect execution never could.

Perfectionism destroys flow. The harder you chase flawless performance, the further you get from the zone where your best work happens.

Growth isn't linear. Great players have bad games. Champions have rough seasons. Patience isn't just helpful — it's required for greatness.

Nothing is as urgent as your mind makes it feel. That missed shot? One play out of hundreds. That bad game? One performance in a long career. Zoom out.

Trying to control every detail is exhausting and pointless. You can't control outcomes, bounces, or refs. But you can control your effort, attitude, and enjoyment.

Smiling, laughing, being grateful — these are signs of emotional maturity, not weakness. The best performers find joy in the process, not just the results.

🧠 The Mental Shift That Changes Everything

Instead of: "I have to play perfectly or I'm letting everyone down." Try: "I get to compete at a high level. How cool is that?"

Instead of: "This mistake ruins everything." Try: "Good information. What's next?"

Instead of: "I need to control this outcome." Try: "I trust my preparation and enjoy the process."

🔄 Your New Performance Philosophy

Take your preparation seriously. Take your performance lightly.

The best athletes in the world understand this paradox: The harder you prepare, the more you can relax during competition.

When you've done the work — really done it — you don't need to force greatness. You just need to get out of your own way and let it happen.

The magic happens when you finally release the pressure and trust your brain to do what it's been trained to do.

That's when flow appears. That's when performance feels light again. That's when your game becomes everything it can be.

🚀 This Week's Challenge: Practice Not Caring (So Much)

Pick one area where you're too tight, too serious, too perfect:

Before each session: Remind yourself, "I'm here to compete and learn, not to be flawless."

During play: After mistakes, literally smile and say "Next play."

After sessions: Ask yourself, "Did I enjoy that?" If not, you're still taking it too seriously.

Track this: Notice how your body feels when your mind is relaxed vs. when it's grinding.

The Bottom Line

Your mental preparation is the only thing worth taking seriously — because it's what allows everything else to feel light and enjoyable again.

Stop grinding. Start flowing. Your best performance is waiting on the other side of letting go.

What's one area where you're taking performance too seriously? Hit reply and let me know — sometimes just naming it starts the shift.

If you’re looking to improve your mental clarity, performance, or overall wellness through sport psychology principles, I’d love to help you on your journey. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or simply someone looking to get your life back on track, I offer coaching that combines mental performance strategies with real-world, practical advice.

Click the link below ⬇️

Tools & Resources to Elevate Your Growth

Resilience is built with the right tools, practices, and support systems. Here are some resources to help you strengthen your mind, body, and emotional well-being:

• The Movement Memo by Eric Hinman: Stay inspired with Eric Hinman’s Movement Memo newsletter, packed with actionable tips on performance, recovery, and mindset. Read more here.

• SunTheanine for Mental Clarity: Support your mental clarity and relaxation with this non-sedating supplement—perfect for managing stress while staying sharp. Learn more here.

• Trace Minerals Magnesium Glycinate Capsules: Boost recovery and relaxation with this premium magnesium supplement, an essential tool for calming your body and mind. Explore here.

• Cold Exposure Made Simple – The Pod Company: Take your resilience practice to the next level with The Pod Company Cold Plunge. Cold plunges train your body to handle stress, boost focus, and build confidence.

• Fuel Your Mornings – Lifeboost Coffee: Energize your resilience routine with Lifeboost Coffee. Organic, low-acid, and rich in flavor—this clean energy boost keeps you sharp and ready for anything.

• BetterHelp Online Therapy: Resilience is about knowing when to seek support. Talk to a licensed therapist through BetterHelp for professional guidance in managing stress, building emotional strength, and navigating life’s challenges.

• Eric Hinman on Recovery & Resilience: Gain valuable insights on recovery and resilience by watching Eric Hinman’s talk. Watch it here.

• The Power of Cold Exposure: Discover how cold therapy builds both physical and mental resilience in this insightful video. Watch it here.