So far, "Mental Performance" has mainly meant "Mental Performance Coaches." They typically work with high school, college, or professional athletes. They help them calm their minds and achieve flow states during competitions.
As an ex-athlete, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of these coaches. Focusing on new tech to prime the brain for peak performance. But, as I moved from athletics to business, I realized that mental performance isn't just for athletes. It’s equally vital for anyone navigating the challenges of modern life.
What about mental performance for entrepreneurs and high achievers? Most of us won't hire a "Mental Performance Coach." But, we need strategies to boost our focus, energy, and productivity.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It’s about how you handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental health discussions have grown over the years. This has reduced stigma and encouraged more people to seek help. Anxiety and depression are now seen as major mental health issues. They affect millions.
I’ve tried therapy and never really saw any benefit. Typically, in my sessions, we would dive deep into my traumas or triggers, focusing on the bad. Sure, they would give me "coping mechanisms." Long-term, I saw no benefit in focusing on the negatives. It often made me dwell on negative thoughts. I should have taken positive actions to avoid the triggers.
What is Mental Performance?
Mental performance is about optimizing your mind to excel at tasks. It’s about performing at your best—not just surviving but thriving. Mental performance, rooted in sports psychology, aims to create rituals. They should help you be your best, both physically and mentally.
For example, mental performance coaching for athletes might involve strategies to improve focus under pressure, achieve flow states, or recover from setbacks. While this has traditionally been reserved for athletes, the principles apply to anyone looking to elevate their health, wealth, and relationships.
Mental Health vs. Mental Performance: How Are They Different?
While mental health and mental performance are interconnected, they serve different purposes:
- Mental Health: Focuses on coping, healing, and emotional regulation.
- Mental Performance: Focuses on thriving, achieving, and optimizing.
Focusing on mental health can trap us in negativity. We are always reminded of our traumas and triggers. Today, we see a trend. Many take mental health days or seek therapy. But, therapy often feels like a revolving door.
Mental Performance is having rituals that improve us. They should bring us closer to our best selves. Rituals give us purpose. They make simple actions into meaningful practices. They benefit the mind, body and spirit. When we approach habits as rituals, we make them more intentional and impactful. It’s no longer about just going through the motions. It’s about understanding why these actions matter and how they help us grow.
Rituals for a High Performance Life
Mental performance isn't just for athletes. It's for anyone wanting to unlock their full potential. The rituals for a fulfilling life are within your reach. They apply to entrepreneurs, professionals, and self-improvers like you.
We divide the rituals into three areas: health, relationships, and wealth. Each area has three key rituals. Researchers have proven, at a neurochemical level, that these rituals are the most effective.
Health
Exercise: Moving your body every day is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Exercise helps reduce anxiety, strengthens your heart, reduces inflammation, and improves overall health. Whether it’s a walk, a workout, or yoga, the key is to stay active daily.
Nutrition: There are endless options, diets, and cultural approaches to food. But, no matter your diet—vegan, pescatarian, keto—one thing is non-negotiable: you must eat enough protein. Protein is the building block of your body. Without it, you can’t grow or maintain muscle, repair tissues, or sustain energy.
Sleep: Most people think good sleep is about how many hours you get. But the secret isn’t in the number—it’s in your routine. A bedtime ritual signals to your body and mind that it’s time to relax and recover.
Relationships
Meditation: The first relationship you need to build is the one with yourself. If you can't connect with yourself, you can't connect with others. This is where mindfulness meditation comes in. You don’t have to complicate meditation. Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and let thoughts come and go. When a thought arises, acknowledge it and return your attention to your breath.
Gratitude: This is the relationship with your coworkers, friends, and family. We have all heard of doing a morning gratitude. But instead of writing down things you’re grateful for, go deeper. Focus on one person in your life and think about why you’re grateful for them. Then, let them know. Call, send a video, or talk in person. Tell them how much you appreciate having them in your life.
Compliment: The simplest way to make a connection is by giving a genuine compliment. This might seem small, but it has a huge impact.A stranger's compliment feels special. They have no obligation to say it. A stranger's compliment means they noticed something exceptional about you. Your goal is to give one genuine compliment to a stranger every day. Be sincere, and expect nothing in return. Compliment their smile, outfit, or kindness. In time, this practice builds confidence. It opens doors to new relationships, friendships, and opportunities.
Wealth
Plan: Taking 15-20 minutes to plan your day. It’s the most effective way to make the most of your time. Write down what you need to do and when. Include time for meals, relaxation, and relationships. By planning ahead, you’ll be more organized and have more control over your schedule.
Execute: We all have one thing we’re great at. It’s the activity that makes us feel fulfilled and allows us to contribute the most. The key is to spend more time doing this one thing. Your goal is to identify your strengths and find ways to spend more time doing them.
Educate: Learning is one of the best ways to build wealth. Every new skill you gain is an investment in your future. Spend time each day to learn something new. Use books, online courses, or hands-on practice. Focus on skills that align with your strengths and goals.The more you learn, the more valuable you become. This creates more opportunities for you.
This isn’t about quick fixes or short-term gains. It’s about creating a life of meaning and purpose—one day, one ritual at a time.
