The Power of Process
In an age of instant gratification, things that cannot be acquired in a heartbeat are met with frustration and disdain. Individuals seek out "quick" fix solutions to problems. A clear example from the health industry is diet pills and their promise to help individuals lose weight quickly and effortlessly. Research has shown that many diet pills are not effective and are not safe. Not every solution should be a quick fix, and hardly anything that comes quickly and easily is worth it in the long run. Finding the solution to problems is often a process; a series of steps necessary to reach a goal. Many parents, performers, and coaches want to tell me their concerns, and then want me to hand them a solution to them to use. Sure, I could throw out a solution, but without the process behind it, that solution has little bearing, little meaning, and little effect.
Performance Psychology is a multifaceted process. Mental training, just like physical and technical training, cannot take place overnight. Think back to when you were a child and the sheer amount of preparation you needed to take your first steps. Maybe you crawled for a while and watched people, maybe you practiced standing up holding onto a support; maybe you stood there supported and bounced, and maybe then you took a small step before tumbling back to the ground. It took awareness, time and practice to learn to walk. All of these steps had their purpose, and all were needed to get you from a baby in a crib to a toddler exploring the world around you. There were no shortcuts
In Performance Psychology, there are many different skills to master. The process starts with awareness; how aware are you of what is happening during your performance? Without the proper awareness of your strengths, weaknesses and experiences it is hard to develop the roadmap for developing your mental skills. The awareness stage never ends. It is essential for feedback and assessment as you move through the process. The education process is about learning skills, and how to adapt this knowledge to your performance. The process does not stop here. Simply being aware and knowing the definition of your skills does not constitute mastery. These skills require time to practice. Time to practice at home, practice at practice, and practice during a performance. Without practice, these skills will not have their desired effect. After practicing these skills extensively, you are ready to select from your new found repertoire of mental skills during a high-stakes performance. The process is never truly over. Awareness and regular practice of mental skills are crucial to success time and time again.
The main takeaway is, don't resist the process because it is not quick and easy. Embrace the process and give yourself an opportunity to move your performance forward.