When you need to perform, especially in a high pressure situation, it pays to prime your mind with positive emotions. The positive emotions serve to prepare your mind for creativity and focus.
In studies:
- Doctors that were put in a positive mood before making a diagnosis show almost three times more intelligence and creativity than doctors in a neutral state. Plus, they make accurate diagnoses 19 percent faster.
- Students who were asked to think about the happiest day of their lives outperformed the control group on tests.
- Negotiators with more positive emotions before negotiating were more efficient and successful in their negotiations.
- Doctors who were given a lollipop prior to diagnosis from a script came to the correct diagnosis twice as fast as the control group.
So, the science tells the story. Prime your mind with positive emotions and you prepare yourself to excel in even the highest pressure situations.
Unfortunately, we frequently do the opposite. Before a salesperson gives a key presentation, we say, “don’t mess this up, we really need this.” That negative focus increases stress and the likelihood of failure.
In other words, Alec Baldwin’s famous Glengarry Glenross speech would generate the opposite of its intended result.
Instead, you should do something closer to the hype man in boxing. They whisper positive ideas into the fighter’s ear: “You are going to knock him out champ.” “You’ve got this, he is no match for you.” etc.
Let’s strive to do that for our:
Family ”You are going to crush this test son, you studied so hard”.
Colleagues “You prepared so thoroughly, the board is going to love your idea.”
Friends “Your resume is very impressive. Any company would be lucky to have you. Your interview is sure to go well.”
Prime your mind and the mind of those close to you with positive emotions and watch your success soar.
Just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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