(2 minute read)
For all the research and anecdotal evidence on the ideal pre-performance routine, there is an emerging level of honest admission about incidences when performances have been above expectations, despite poor preparation.
There is a broad section of each discipline – sporting, the arts, business, etc – in which individuals have shared the impact that pre-performance anxiety has had upon them. Despite what they may have done in the lead-up to their performance, their pre-performance emotions and physical stress seems in total contrast to the state they need to be in to perform at their best.
When in this emotional and physical state, it’s easy to default to a belief that ‘today just won’t be the day’. Some may take it further and put off the event/launch/performance because they don’t feel at their peak.
There’s a belief we sometimes hold onto, that everything needs to be ideal in the lead-up to the event or performance. We believe that how we feel before the event will shape how the event unfolds. If we feel heavy before a swim or run, we may feel that this will physically weigh us down. Nerves before a sales presentation may force us to forget what to say at key points.
The good news is, there are plenty of elite performers who have felt this exact same way and yet continued with the performance – and starred.
Prior to breaking the world 1500m athletics record and winning an Olympic Gold medal, Australian Herb Elliott claimed he felt ill, and that he ‘just wanted to get the race over with’.
The phenomenon we experience when matching pre-performance moods with the potential outcome of the performance itself is a form of pre-judgement and has as much fault as it has merit.
This isn’t to suggest that pre-performance routines should be dismissed. Quite the opposite. Routines are a proven source of effective preparation for any event (or workday to be fair), but they do not determine the eventual outcome. That is, your routine is not your destiny!
So, if and when you are ‘feeling-the-feels’, and you are really on-point prior to an event or performance, ride that wave! However, when you aren’t feeling the Mojo, remind yourself not to pre-judge the actual event based on how you are feeling prior.
You may just surprise yourself!