This article was taken from the September issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
Top athletes often speak of the "zone", a mental state that promotes peak performance. According to sports psychologist Michael Lardon, author of Finding Your Zone, being in this state means your mind is totally absorbed by the task in hand. Thought and action are in perfect sync, and the experience of time slows down. Here's how to get there: - Peak performance requires foresight. Prepare for as long as possible. "There is a relationship between preparation and anxiety," Lardon says. "The more prepared you are, the fewer situations you have to deal with." - In philosophy, solipsism states that reality exists only within your mind. Hone this mindset to your advantage: practise simple tasks that are mentally or physically uncomfortable, or even painful, to optimise your endurance. - Have a simple plan and stick to it. According to Lardon, athletes choke when they second-guess themselves and doubt intuition. Remember the Zen saying: "Those who think do not know; those who know do not think." - Results are, paradoxically, better when you stop worrying about them. "A lot of people get lost in a sea of amorphous goals,"
Lardon says. "Goals need to be achievable and accountable."
- If your motivation for doing something is extrinsic -- fame, say -- then forget about the zone. "When we seek approval, we set ourselves to be at the beck and call of too many masters," Lardon says. - Master your fears by getting used to them, and by seeing the big picture. Remember: at least five billion people couldn't care less about the outcome of your performance.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
