ABOUT OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE MINDSET COACHING

This SPP coaching and philosophy statement outlines the fundamentals of my philosophy for service delivery.

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When considering the development of greatness, I believe it comes from the development of a personal philosophy based on a personal  dream/vision of what one would like to achieve supported by defined goals, agency, motivation to “go after it” and the discipline to employ strategies to achieve.  Maximizing and developing one’s given talents with focused and supported drive, awareness, self-regulation, motivation, faith, determination, dedicated mental/physical discipline and commitment is essential (Ryan et al., 2021).  Greatness also requires concentrated effort to prepare for, learn within and to overcome adversity (Tilman, Ravizza, & Statler, 2011).

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The most valuable part of my learning during this graduate program included lessons I learned in life that occurred  while I was in the program well as the research, theories, approaches learned helped me to reaffirm my understanding of how sport and performance psychology can build resilience in myself and others. It helped to me to reinforce and develop skills to overcome the most devastating adversity I could imagine.  When we experience adversity or loss in life, feelings of confusion, overwhelm, isolation, shame, guilt, insecurity, loss of hope, feeling not enough - one's inner light dims and we lose sight of who they are.  This often affects their physical, mental and spiritual health. I believe all people need to experience a sense of belonging – feeling like you are an important member of a group – being included in something beyond ourselves; a sense of purpose- the reason for which something exists; a sense of worthiness – the quality of being accepted and exceptional; deserving attention or respect; our hopes and dreams are valuable and achievable. 

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That is what motivates me to do this work and to continue to grow – to build steadfast greatness within that is unwavering during the worst storms; that builds the inner strength that exists in all of us to live, learn, grow and sustain our optimal life.

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Philosophy

We have a role in understanding our clients’ “why”, purpose, or vision of what they what to achieve; understanding what empowers them  to be seen, heard, understood, belong, valued, and perform their best; understand “who” they are (identity); how it was defined (culture, strengths, adversities) and what the optimum performance or version of themselves looks like.

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Utilizing a blend of the Cognitive Behavioral and Humanistic paradigms highlights individuals’ focus on personal growth, agency, self -actualization and intrinsic motivation. When applying my philosophy, I will assess the individual’s current situation, goals, concerns, internal and external factors and co-design an approach to create integrative strategies to address their needs.  If they are experiencing altered performance and focusing on negative self-talk, focusing on “failures” and experiencing anxiety I would aim to support them in creating a cognitive-behavioral plan to reconstruct these negative thought patterns and compromising behaviors via the use of assessing their strengths and incorporating mental skills (e.g., visualization) to readjust and support focus on positive practices (Lefebvre et al., 2022).

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I believe individuals build their own understanding and perspective of the world based on their experiences and interactions which draw from constructivism theory.  They construct their own knowledge by integrating new information with their experiences and reflections.  It involves the integration of social and collaborative knowledge construction to formulate their own personal meaning and perspectives.  I often utilize theories that lean towards using techniques that address anxiety and negative thought patterns.  I also draw on humanistic approaches to foster self-awareness and personal growth, and aspects of social psychology to understand and improve team dynamics. This integrative approach ensures a more holistic and adaptable method of supporting athletes.

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I also incorporate a systems theory paradigm is important to integrate systems they belong to while supporting the individual.  This involves the individuals, their coaches, teammates, sport organizations, and impact of media as they are all factors to consider in the individual’s performance. My integrative approach drawing on Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT), and Self-Determination Theory (SDT).  CBT involves identifying and modifying negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that can hinder performance and contribute to being stuck in time of adversity. This theory helps to inform interventions that support cognitive restructuring. SDT emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness and motivation.  This theory is foundational to facilitate client-centered, client-lead, intrinsic motivation to promote individual empowerment. Prochaska & Norcross (2018). Wachtel (1987) highlights approaches that seek to combine action and insight in which leveraging the synergy of both actions help to facilitate sustained change with the client noting “who we are cannot be separated from what we do” therefore both insight and action need to occur simultaneously. I appreciate the ability to utilize dynamic and integrative approaches primarily with CBT, SDT that can be applied in ways that are unique to the client and their circumstances.  People often experience a multitude of issues that may benefit from a tailored approach to addressing the client’s presenting behavior, affect, sensation, cognition, interpersonal relationships, and biology.  Utilizing an integrated approach helps to identify the issues with the client and select specific interventions for each (Prochaska & Norcross, 2018). 

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Intervention Approach

It is important to integrate effective interventions that incorporate understanding of human performance, psychological facilitators and inhibitors of performance in a way this is client-centered, co-lead, and contextually specific to each individual. It helps to interpret an individual’s behavior, challenges, and create a guide to create strategies that are evidence based on enhancing their potential to influence factors to help them to achieve performance excellence.  A thorough assessment of the individuals’ developmental stages, their culture (individual and sport), their technical skill base, and broader system are essential.  Developing targeted strategies to address the issues, strengths, and opportunities to enhance performance and achieve greatness is the goal.  Vick’s developmental milestones is a good reference to gear approaches to match where an individual is at developmentally (gross motor, fine motor, language, cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral) can be mapped to their demonstrated technical/behavioral abilities to inform appropriate strategies to help them grow and perform.

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 These strategies are based on thorough evidence-based assessment, incorporating best-practice interventions unique to the individual’s stage of development, cultural, personal goals, dreams, skills, and environmental/sport context. The first step is to complete a direct (face to face intake assessment) and indirect (observe them in training, practice, competition as well as obtain information from coaches/key support people with consent of the individual) to fully understand the individual, their sport and cultural contexts.

Foundational performance skills often drawn upon but tailored to the individual may include developing mental skills, athletic identity, motivation, setting goals and physical and performance routines (e.g., self-talk, visualization/imagery, mental toughness).  Integrating these and other approaches fosters self-determination, cognitive restructuring, personal agency and empowerment to support my clients in achieving their own personal greatness (Prochaska & Norcross, 2018).  These can be incorporated into pre, during, and post-season and be delivered individually or within group settings.  I would tailor the approach based on the individual’s desires, consent, and co-designed intervention plan.

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Greatness is also sustained by training for and overcoming adversity.  Utilizing the six R process developed by Tilman, Ravizza, and Statler (2011) is helpful.  We all know life is unpredictable and many circumstances are out of our control, so being prepared, able to adapt, and overcome adversity is key to performance consistency and sustainability.  The six R’s involve recognizing, releasing, regrouping, refocusing, being ready, and responding to situations beyond our personal control and performing well within them.

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Ethical Foundation

Comprehensive ethical decision making requires utilization of an ethical decision-making model, guiding principles as well as the appropriate codes, standards, relevant literature, and background to ensure competent practice (Welfel, 2016). The inclusion of the fundamental principles and virtues that underscore relevant codes to address the situation are imperative in working through the ethical decision-making process.  The noted principles are autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity.  Ensuring individuals feel safe, their interactions are confidential, consent/codesign is at the center, and our work is to support them in a way that is helpful and meaningful is essential to our work.

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Conclusion    

Utilizing the integrative approaches provides a pragmatic, time-limited, present focused approach to address both the cognitive, emotional, mental, physical and interpersonal aspects to enhance performance.  Integrating these approaches provides a well-rounded way of supporting clients through multi-dimensional issues. The humanistic, cognitive, and integrative approaches resonate most strongly as they connect best with my personal experience, my professional experience, and my core values.

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I meet individuals where they are at in a holistic way to understand them as individuals, as part of a system, and integrate approaches to address their concerns, goals, and improve their performance.  This also involves being adaptable and flexible to create approaches and use tools that are contextually relevant to each individual. Helping others achieve greatness is a privilege.  Utilizing this theoretical orientation to performance excellence will help me to stay anchored in these fundamental practices. It draws on my personal and professional experience, and I feel the application can provide an effective way of supporting clients in living their best life and achieving their highest potential.