Understanding Self-Image and Performance

Aug 24, 2024

Lecture Notes on Self-Image and Performance

Introduction

  • Speaker: Chris
  • Topic: Building the self-image circle from "With Winning in Mind"
  • Focus: Conscious circle, subconscious circle, self-image circle

Key Concepts

The Three Circles

  1. Conscious Circle
    • Focus: Environment and perceptions (sights, sounds)
  2. Subconscious Circle
    • Focus: Skills learned through practice (skills factory)
  3. Self-Image Circle
    • Focus: How you see yourself
    • Influences performance: "Is it like you to perform well?"

Self-Image

  • Habits determine actions.
  • Comfort zone in performance: You perform within a certain range based on self-image.
  • Example: Bowling – performer struggles to surpass their typical score.

Challenges with Self-Image

  • Performance and self-image are equal.
  • Self-image resists change.
  • Training more doesn’t necessarily improve self-image; it leads to frustration.

Changing Self-Image

  • Good News: Imprinting good performance can change self-image.
  • Use visualization and rehearsal to reinforce positive perceptions:
    • Visualize performance in first-person view and feel the physical sensations.

Steps to Change Self-Image

  1. Willingness to change.
  2. Identify specific habits/attitudes to change.
  3. Define a new self-image that conflicts with the old one.
  4. Exchange the old self-image with the new one.

Directive Affirmation

  • Definition: A paragraph describing goals, plans, and attitudes in the first person.
  • Write as if the goal is already achieved.
  • Rehearsal leads to one of two outcomes: achieving the goal or abandoning the affirmation.
  • Example affirmation provided by speaker: Focuses on becoming the best software engineer.

The Role of Decisiveness

  • Power to determine an outcome.
  • Reasons for lack of decisiveness:
    1. New to an endeavor.
    2. Ill preparation.
    3. Overly cautious (perfectionism vs. procrastination).

Promoting Self and Others

  • Be a promoter to boost self-image and confidence.
  • Promote three areas:
    1. Systems/environment (teammates, colleagues, etc.).
    2. Yourself.
    3. Others.
  • Praise more than you correct.

Principle of Value

  • We appreciate outcomes in proportion to the effort we put in.
  • Importance of personal investment in growth.

Conclusion

  • Self-image is changeable with effort and the right mindset.
  • Directive affirmation and visualization as tools for self-improvement.
  • Importance of decisiveness and promotion in achieving goals.