Posts by John Gassaway, PsyD
Veteran Olympian Advantage
Why do Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, and other returning Olympians have an edge on competition? After you have experienced something for the first time – especially something unique,…
Read MoreUnderdog Mentality
Underdog Mentality The underdog mentality describes a David vs. Goliath situation in which a smaller, less experienced, ostensibly less talented, or any other “lesser” competitor takes on the bigger, more…
Read MoreThe Importance of Sleep for Performance
Sleep is an essential contributor to peak performance. A good night’s rest can help with focus, awareness, self-talk, imagery, motivation, confidence, goal-setting, relaxation, psyching up, team cohesion, and overall well-being.…
Read MoreLessons Learned: Expectations
A collegiate wrestler had been on a losing streak for several months with increased frustration and little idea of where to direct more of his efforts/energy. He explained that he…
Read MoreMotivation
Playing sports and competing against others can be fun, exciting, and motivating in and of itself. When we participate in activities for sheer enjoyment, we don’ t need much convincing…
Read MoreAwareness
Awareness is the first step in understanding our own performance. It lets us know our strengths, our weaknesses, our areas of growth, our goals, and virtually every aspect of performance.…
Read MoreLearning from Mistakes (Guaranteed Success)
Success can be defined as many different things. If we pay attention to the outcome of an event (score, salary, return on investment, surplus, etc.), we can define success compared…
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