Self Expression & Sports Performance
Posted on January 19, 2016 by Sean O'Connor, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
How you can step up your game in sports and athletics–or anywhere in life–just by being fully, unapologetically yourself.
Self Expression and sports are not two terms that are usually paired together. We usually think of self expression in the realm creativity and the arts, and the conversation around sports usually revolves around drive and performance. I assert that self expression is actually a major ingredient in sports performance.
Have you ever experienced a individual athlete or an entire team get in their head when they are losing or when they make a big mistake that costs them points? They can get really taken out and their performance suffers. Elite athletes know that getting in their heads is a sure fire way to knock down their performance.
When we are being fully self expressed, we are operating in the world without reservation and without being affected by what others might say, think, or do. In sports that might be the watching eyes of the roaring audience. And in life beyond the sports arena, this means in all of our relationships, everywhere, all the time.
When we commit to full self expression and authenticity, we free up mental energy for other things: the game at hand, your career, your pet projects, your relationships, your life! By taking advantage of that mental energy, we can actually improve our game in any of these life areas.
So my challenge to you is to take a look at where you hold back your own self expression and authenticity. Get present to what the impacts are, and then try out operating from your full-on true self. See what the results are. I’d love to hear from you.
For a video with more personal insights on this subject, visit the Web Series section of my website linked to from my profile.
