Forward-Facing® Face to Face: An Approach to Optimal Performance

A Forward-Facing® Approach to Optimal Performance

When I was 11 years old, I tried out for junior league baseball.  I did not make the team.  It was devastating for me because I had played first string catcher and batted third in the lineup since I was eight.  However, the tryouts were held the year after my parents had finalized an acrimonious divorce and I was bounced between my two parents multiple times during that year.  During the tryouts, I was in the outfield and one of the coaches hit a high fly ball right to me.  I was, at first, excited about catching it and redeeming myself for the poor playing I had demonstrated thus far during the tryouts.  As soon as the ball was in the air, I instinctually perfectly positioned myself directly under where the ball was going to drop.  However, during the three seconds the ball fell toward me I had a rapidly intensifying physiological threat response that had me double, triple, quadruple thinking my position and increasingly doubting my skills.  I can still feel remnant waves of the shame I felt when the ball landed with a “plop” four inches next to my foot—can still hear the laughter of the other kids watching me fail.

How many of you can find similar experiences from your own past?  Like taking an exam where you knew the material but could not recall the answers when you read the questions?  Performing in front of an audience something you rehearsed many times previous and were competent when practicing but “choked” during the performance.  Or getting the yips when you were competing in a sport, game or contest and finding your skills temporarily—but profoundly—diminished?

Are you interested in learning how to prevent these lapses in motor and cognitive functioning?  Would you like to be able to intentionally dial-in optimal performance no matter the activity?  How about being able to walk into high-demand situations and bring your confidence with you?

Well then join me at 5pm MST on November 9, 2022 as I discuss using the Forward-Facing® process to help us all perform better with less effort and greater comfort.

You will learn:

• How and why “choking” and the “yips” happen – especially at the most inopportune times;
• How to get to and remain in optimal performance (i.e., “flow”) on purpose;
• Learn how to “psych yourself down” for optimization;
• Develop skills for mitigating shame and getting back on your own team after “failure”;
• How to have a little grace and laugh at ourselves.