In today’s fast-paced world, and specifically in our jobs as EM physicians, the demand to perform optimally is higher than ever. Yet, despite our best efforts, many of us struggle to reach the pinnacle of our capabilities. Why is that? According to Jason, a key factor lies in the equation where performance equals potential minus interference. This interference primarily stems from our own disruptive and distracting thoughts and heightened feelings that can create barriers to success. In this episode, hosts Drew, Tanner, and Andy are joined by performance scientist Jason Brooks to discuss the topic of Mental Interference.
Understanding Mental Interference:
Mental interference can stem from internal and external factors, but the most common example is the inner critic, whose voice creates noise in our head that we are not good enough. By allowing this voice to prevail, we often become our own worst enemies on the journey to achieve our fullest potential.
Performance = Potential – Mental Interference
Dialing Down the Noise:
- Neutralize the negativity:
- You don’t have to force yourself to think positively, but actively working to decrease the negative thoughts can quiet the noise, particularly in stressful moments.
- Separate yourself from your inner critic:
- Are the critical things I am saying true, or is it just imposter syndrome creeping in?
- Is there something tangible that I can get better at? If so, focus on preparing for the next time.
- Avoid taking it personally – making a mistake does not make you a bad doctor or a bad person.
- Anticipate future stressful situations:
- Try to anticipate the stressful situations before they happen.
- Review and improve before you have to do a procedure again, using visualization or models.
- Learn from others’ mistakes.
- Develop an anchor:
- What’s your anchor/ MCTs (mission-critical tasks) to help ground yourself in a moment of level 10 stress?
- Choose something that will help your brain know that it is go time.
- Ex: grounding your feet, touching the bed in front of you, bringing and pulling out an emergency piece of equipment.
Take Homes:
- Have a tagline to level set the room in a stressful situation to help your team.
- Develop an anchor/know your MCTs.
- Prepare in the non-stressful times.
- Neutralize the negativity.
About Our Guests:
Jason Brooks, PhD
Personal Development and Performance Mindset Coach
Looking For More?
More from Jason Brooks and Geoff Comp: Check out side A of this reel by listening to our Peak Performance episode!
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