What will you be doing over the Easter break? >>

Clear mind/ focus?

I generally think too much about EVERYTHING, although through reasoning simple worries and things are easily cast aside.

The main problem is when I play sport etc:
If I think too much how to do something- I can't do it properly or to the standard I ussually can. I think about too many things when I do these activities (not thinking about problems or worries as such... just about random things or what exactly I am doing)... and it puts me off so much.

I find myself having so many bad days playing sport because of it... not just your average "bad day" or lack of ablilty...

because when Im on a good day I am pleased with my perfomance and am much more consistant... i want to be like this more often but can't seem to reach that state of mind that allows me too readily (clear and focused)

Any ideas/ help/ tips/ etc?

Reply 1

SellPanta

well this is similar to what is proposed in the yerkes-dodson effect. Over stimulation during a sport can decrease performance. My tip would be to errm read up on this psychological concept and try to come up with a solution yourself. I could easily just say something like 'calm yourself down before an event by taking 2 minutes to effectively clear your mind' but i think by actively looking for a solution your performance will greatly increase because you will understand what is going on, and how to focus your mind on the task.

Its like in poker, if you dont think enough then you lose because you dont consider the possibilities what your opponents have and if you think too much you start to second guess your plays and thus dont perform too well.

Reply 2

Livethefire

Yeah ive heard of that effect, its annoying...

Because I know what Im doing... hence I think about it more... HAHA vicious loop.

Mediation like that black box thing may be good... but does it have a lasting effect?

Reply 3

Yellowmarshmellow

lessthanthree

before auditions/performances, I do something that I called "black box". I sit on the floor/chair/loo/whatever about 10 mins before I need to have a clear head, and think about nothing but a black square in my head. I can't let myself think about anything else, regardless of conversations going on around me and stuff. I probably only get a second of total black box but it really makes me feel better.