“Work harder. Sacrifice more. Lift more weights. Put in more time at the office. Study more film. Give 110%. Practice makes perfect…” The list of ways in which we can work to achieve more is endless. While sometimes helpful, these efforts may also be daunting and at times futile.
Why would a sport & performance psychologist suggest that doing more of the things that make people great is not always a good idea? Think about your own craft, your passions, or whatever it is that you excel in – sports, music, business, fitness, the arts, etc…Was there ever a time when you realized that more was not always the answer?
In an effort to improve, people routinely and unknowingly sabotage their efforts. For example, think about the athlete who over-trains and becomes injured, the lawyer who takes on too much and cannot manage the stressors, the student who stays up all night studying only to bomb a test, or the dieter who restricts their caloric intake to dangerous levels. None of these scenarios reflect an optimal mindset and lead to under-performance.
Undoubtedly you have heard the phrase, “smarter not harder.” While it’s vague, it is also helpful and can be applied to most endeavors worth doing. There is a fine line between high-achieving and perfectionism. The former is likely the result of an optimal effort, whereas the latter is a trap of thinking you and your efforts will never be enough.
High achievers have developed self-awareness to know their limits, have confidence in their training and preparation, and trust their process. A perfectionist will miss cues about when enough is enough and may never be happy with the results.
Elite performers understand where their line is between high-achieving and perfectionism and can self-correct when needed. They have learned this skill through self-awareness, curiosity, humility, and self-reflection.
Michelle Joshua Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, NC
Certified Mental Performance Consultant®, CMPC
Listed in USOPC Mental Performance Registry
