Episodes

  • EP012 How To Build Self-Confidence

    EP012 How To Build Self-Confidence
    Nov 19 2022
    In this podcast episode, I'm reading Chapter 3 of Stewart Cotterill's The Psychology of Performance and discussing the difference between self-confidence and self-efficacy. Throughout this reading, I interrupt the narrative to offer my own input, clarity on certain aspects, and tips and advice on how to build up your sense of efficacy.
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    29 mins
  • EP010 Creating A Positive Workplace Culture

    EP010 Creating A Positive Workplace Culture
    May 4 2022
    In this week's episode of The Mental Game, I'm talking with Rob O'Donohue from Gartner Consulting on how to create positive workplace culture for small organisations. You'll learn in this episode that even if you are a solo business owner, you can begin to create the right workplace culture for the future. The seeds planted now while you build your business will be vital for positive workplace culture and growth later.
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    31 mins
  • EP009 The Ugly Face of Unethical Leadership

    EP009 The Ugly Face of Unethical Leadership
    Apr 24 2022
    Why do airline manufacturers hide potentially catastrophic faults from their customers? Why does big tech use behavioural psychology to take advantage of young developing brains? And why do car makers hide vehicle emission data from the public? At the core of these breeches, is unethical decision-making by business leaders with concern for profit at all costs. Unethical Leadership results from a skewed sense of priority, a heightened sense of self-importance, and
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    28 mins
  • EP008 Self Determination Theory: How Motivates Really Works

    EP008 Self Determination Theory: How Motivates Really Works
    Apr 17 2022
    Self-determination is an important concept when considering the human motivation to work and perform. Self-determination theory (SDT)1 explains human motivation, and according to Edward Deci, it is “the energy for action. It gets us up in the morning and moves us through the day”. Motivation allows us to make personal choices based on survival, integration, and work with others and allows us to feel we have control over the direction of our lives.
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    34 mins
  • EP007 For The Prize or The Love of It

    EP007 For The Prize or The Love of It
    Jul 24 2021
    In the pursuit of success, we can lead ourselves astray. Caught up in how we might be perceived or in anticipation of the prize, we lose our focus. The work itself becomes less important than the material results. This is detrimental to high performance. High performance can only ever be seen in retrospect. In other words, it's only when the job is done that we get to see the fruit of our work. It's a paradox; we've got to forget about making it happen and get into the work for its own sake. Rewards will be a reflection of our degree of focus, and focus is self-activating - we can't force or coerce it. It is a case of the self becoming absorbed in the work rather than being an observer of it. All thought about our performance takes us out of the work. It is a consequence of the absence of the thinking self that success comes about. Support this work
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    Less than 1 minute
  • EP006 Creativity & The Autotelic Personality

    EP006 Creativity & The Autotelic Personality
    Feb 11 2021
    In this episode, we will explore the autotelic personality and the aspects of the self essential for peak experience in work, sport and indeed, life. We will also explore the nine optimal conditions for Flow according to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. High performance in all domains of work and play requires it, and the degree to which we may cultivate these aspects of personality will almost certainly influence our performance results. Want to become a better actor, writer, craftsperson, athlete or businessperson? Consider these 9 aspects of the autotelic personality and work consistently to build them in yourself. Read about The Autotelic Personality
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    23 mins
  • EP005 Becoming The Performatist

    EP005 Becoming The Performatist
    Feb 4 2021
    The Performatist is a concept of the individualised yet universal self. It is that version of humanity that grows out of self-direction and autonomy. The Performatist is the one who makes a dent in their own particular corner of the world. Whether that dent is small or large is irrelevant. What is important is that we become the active agent in command of our own work and life experience. This is not a narcissistic, neo-liberal capitalist position that insists you must be the quintessential entrepreneur, take on the world and conquer it. In this philosophy, material gain and worldly recognition are secondary or even tertiary to the primary motivation. The Performatist is someone who is self-determined and self-directed but humanistic and in tune with the impact of their actions on others. To The Performatist, there is nothing to gain except inherent enjoyment of the work and no one to conquer except themselves. In this way, The Performatist is the one who follows their own path, not for success’ sake, but for the enjoyment of the work itself.
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    21 mins
  • EP004 Developing Psychological Skills

    EP004 Developing Psychological Skills
    Jan 27 2021
    Physiological skills are important, but it is the psychological and emotional that have the final say in performance. In today's episode, I'm exploring five key psychological skills of elite performers. Elite performers in all fields of work, sport, the arts, and beyond possess psychological skills that enable their higher-level output. Research reports that psychological skills training, comprising psychological techniques and strategies for self-regulation and mental preparation & recovery, is an essential component in high-level achievement. So, if we want to excel, we must adopt and perfect these mental skills. In this article, we will explore five important psychological skills, offer support from findings of empirical research, and suggest ways by which you can develop these skills in yourself. OK, let's retrain your brain. Read; 5 Key Psychological Skills of Elite Performers
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    38 mins