Peak performance

Usain Bolt avoids thinking about his weaknesses before a race. Sometimes he thinks about how he will celebrate if he wins.

Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 meter world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

In the field of psychology, particularly sport psychology, peak performance is a mental and physiological state that is also known as peak experience, the zone of optimal functioning and flow. It specifically refers to a moment when an individual puts it all together, when they are in the zone of "flow state", and when they achieve an exceptional performance.

According to Medical News Today:

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The term “flow state” describes a mental state in which a person is completely focused on a single task or activity. They are directing all of their attention toward the task, and they do not experience many thoughts about themselves or their performance. Some people refer to this informally as being “in the zone.” The concept of flow comes from the field of positive psychology, which is the study of things that help humans thrive. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who was an influential part of the movement, coined the term. Flow has similarities with mindfulness, as both involve a focus on the present moment. However, people often use the term “flow” in reference to situations in which they are being productive, whereas a person can be in a state of mindfulness regardless of whether they are doing a task.

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Performance anxiety can hinder a person when it comes to peak/exceptional performance.

Peak performance skills

Key peak performance skills:

1. Productivity

2. Emotional intelligence and self-regulation

3. Mental toughness and psychological resilience

4. Agility/adaptability and change management skills

5. Goal setting, results orientation, action orientation and achievement orientation

6. Concentration/focus/prioritization

7. Mental health/Happiness/contentment

Articles on peak performance skills:

• surefire ways to reach optimal peak performance

Books on peak performance

See also: Books about having a winning mindset

• Peak Performance Principles For High Achievers by John R. Noe
• There Are No Limits: Breaking the Barriers in Personal High Performance by Danny Cox. Executive Books; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2006).
• High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way
• The Art of Mental Training - A Guide to Performance Excellence by D.C. Gonzelez. GonzoLane Media (November 5, 2013)

Peak performance principles in athletic performance

• 8 principles to reach Peak Performance, Sciencetraining.io

See also

• Positive psychology
• Mindset
• Achievement orientation
• Positive thinking
• Deliberate practice
• Self-talk
• Mental toughness

External links

Videos:

• Peak peformance - video playlist, Video playlist
• Peak Performance Psychology by performance coach Chris Matakas