92. Achieving your best: Goal-setting secrets from sports psychology

Today, I’m sharing with you a conversation with Dr. Mitchell
Greene, Ph.D. In our chat, we dive deep into the psychology of
goal-setting, attachment to goals, over-identification with one
area of our life, peak performance, and mental resilience.





When you’re taking a big exam, dealing with a work project,
or participating in an important match, how do you manage your
worries about your performance and your desire to perform to the
best of your abilities?

Are you supportive of yourself without adding pressure into
your plate?

How do you think of yourself without all the stuff you do in
your day-to-day life?






While having goals is essential for your performance and
motivation, they are just one piece of the puzzle. You also need
to manage your mental chatter to perform at your best when it
matters to you!


You will hear Mitchell and I sharing our take on Roger Federer,
Rick Barry, Kobe Bryant, Andre Agassi, and other professional
athletes’ approach to their performance, expectations, and
goal-setting.


Whether you’re dealing with high-stakes sports scenarios or
everyday life challenges, the principles to set your goals, how
you relate to them, and how you approach your mental chatter
remain the same.


You can find meaning and joy by making small tweaks and savoring
the good along the way!


Hope you enjoy this episode!


Key Takeaways





Understanding fear-based reactions

Setting goals for improved performance

Managing mind chatter in sports

The role of mental skills in athletic success

Balancing life and sport: Lessons from Roger Federer and
Andre Agassi

The importance of parental support in youth sports






Show notes


01:01 The Importance of Goal Setting


01:08 The Problem with Tunnel Vision 


01:44 Importance of Outcome Goals 


02:45 The Role of Action Goals


03:43 Goal setting and mental chatter


04:34 Managing Chatter for Success 


05:30 Developing a New Relationship with Your Mind 


06:01 Lessons from Roger Federer


06:43 Advice for Struggling Athletes 


07:22 Mental Game of Professional Athletes 


08:58 Perfectionism in Sports


11:42 Small Increments of Improvement


13:15 Leadership Challenges in Sports 


13:55 Balancing Life and Sport 


16:10 The Impact of Injuries on a Person’s Mindset


16:52 Parental Influence on Young Athletes 


18:02 Coaching the Coaches


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