Do you lose to yourself?
Every game (task, work) is composed of two parts, an outer game, and an inner game. The outer game is played against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles and to reach an external goal. We usually focus on this game more without giving much attention to the relatively neglected skills of the inner game. The inner game is the game that takes place in the mind of the player, and it is played against such obstacles as lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt, and self-condemnation. In short, it is played to overcome all habits of mind which inhibit excellence in performance.
The term inner game was coined by W Timothy Gallwey. He says ….
Victories in the inner game may provide no additions to the trophy case, but they bring valuable rewards which are permanent and which contribute significantly to one’s success after that, off the court as well on. The player of the inner game comes to value the art of relaxed concentration above all the skills; he discovers a true basis on self-confidence, and he learns the secret to winning any game lies in not trying too hard. He aims at the kind of spontaneous performance which occurs only when the mind is calm and seems at one with the body, which finds its own surprising ways to surpass its own limits again and again. Moreover, while overcoming the common hang-ups of competition, the player of the inner game uncovers a will to win which unlocks all his energy and which is never discouraged by losing.
The key is to use the so-called unconscious self (S2) more than the deliberate ‘self-conscious’ self (S1). This process doesn’t have to be learnt; we already know it. All that is needed is to unlearn those habits which interfere with it and then to just let it happen.
The S1 is the teller within ourselves; our self-talk distracts the ability of the doer S2 which is the ability to perform.
S1 does not trust the S2 and therefore keeps disturbing the S2 to perform.
Do you want to increase your performance?
Do you want your S2 to deliver to its full potential?
Do you want to quieten your S1?
Because…
Performance = Potential (S2) – Interference (S1)
Surely, you would have watched many games wherein just a moment of lapse of concentration changes the course of the match and result. Why South Africa, in cricket, are called chokers? Why on a match point, one actually goes on to lose the match? Why after playing the whole tournament excellently, suddenly the pressure of the final, makes you lose the game?
The trick is ‘NOT’ to lose to yourself. The trick is to win the Inner game. And more often, winning the inner game helps you to win the outer game. Not only that, it helps you to keep improving your game so that you can start winning big outer games.
If you are interested to work on your Inner game, please go ahead and read the work of Timothy Gallwey.
Or get in touch with me.