The mindsets we bring into training and performances matter. This shapes our experience.
Do we see stress as a challenge or threat? Are mistakes helping us grow or making us look bad? Do we add pressure because we feel our identity is wrapped up in what we do? Are we trying to prove ourselves or improve ourselves? Can we tolerate not being good at something long enough to get good at it? Can we admit our shortcomings and ask questions? Do we feel connected to our purpose? Or are we afraid to fail?
These questions can help us reflect on our frames of mind. In general, one of two mindsets takes control. Either the Reactor or the Noticer.
The Reactor
The Reactor reacts. Things happen all of the time in training and competition. Mistakes, successes, unpredictable challenges, distractions. The Reactor reacts to the athlete’s experiences. If they make a mistake, they react by thinking about how awful it was. If their coach makes them do another sprint, they react by thinking about how they don’t need to do that. If their teammate gives them feedback, they react by blaming others for their faults. The Reactor is worried about themselves. The Reactor is defensive, impulsive, and quick to judge.
The Reactor is quick to disconnect from others and rely solely on themselves. This self-reliance exhausts the Reactor. And in this state of being anxious and tired, things feel bigger. And everything moves faster. Their minds struggle to concentrate, as they become fixated on past mistakes or worries about the future. Training and competitions feel more overwhelming and stressful. This makes it more difficult to play to their full potential.
Players struggle to perform to their full potential when the Reactor is in control. Their negative thoughts spiral out of control after a mistake. Or they become defensive when the opponent plays well. They avoid working on their weaknesses in training because they’re afraid to look bad. And their feelings of discomfort increase as they get nervous about getting nervous.
When we become the Reactor, we are personally attached to our actions. We place our focus on the results rather than the process. We aim to look good so others will think we are good. Because we think that if we can get others to think we are good, we might begin to believe it.
However, players can shift into a different mindset. A mindset that does not immediately react to everything. A mindset that notices and creates space for healthier and more adaptive responses. This is the Noticer.
The Noticer
The Noticer is personally detached. The Noticer notices. They see things for what they are and put them in context. If they make a mistake, they notice why it happened and wait for an opportunity to try again. If their coach pushes them, they notice how they care about them. If a teammate offers feedback, they notice how others see things they miss. They do not judge or harshly self-criticize or label experiences as all good or all bad. They notice thoughts as thoughts and feelings as feelings. They notice that they don’t always have control over their thoughts so they shouldn’t try to fight them as much. They notice that their feelings don’t last forever so they can tolerate discomfort for a while, knowing it will end. They notice that failure is inevitable and ultimately pushes them forward.
The Noticer knows that the issue is not the mistake, the feelings of nervousness, or the thoughts of self-doubt. The issue is the player’s reactions to those things. The Reactor takes these experiences personally. But the Noticer knows these experiences do not determine the player’s identity. The player is much bigger than their thoughts, feelings, and outcomes. The Noticer creates space between the player’s identity and their behaviors. This helps the player to reflect, find areas of growth, and bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
The Noticer frees players up. They begin to take risks, be creative, and play to their full potential. Training and competition become fun as they explore their limits and push boundaries.
The problem is the problem. A professional does not take success or failure personally… It’s just a mistake. It’s a problem—and a problem can be solved
Steven Pressfield, Do The Work
