KINE 3000 Topic 8.1

Speaker Background

  • Undergraduate & Sports Background

    • Started at York University, played hockey.
    • Master’s degree from the University of Toronto under Dr. Gretchen Kerr.
    • PhD at York University focusing on positive youth development in high-performance sports.

  • Professional Background

    • Successful sports psychology consultant, primarily in hockey but also in business and other fields.

Kobe Bryant: The Black Mamba Mentality

  • Early Career Struggles

    • Kobe faced personal challenges that affected his performance.
    • Sought help from sports consultant Todd Erwin.
    • Created the iconic "Black Mamba" mindset intentionally through hard work.

  • Lessons for High Performers

    • High performers must also invest in developing their mindset.

Steps to Develop a Winning Mindset

Step 1: Flip the Switch

  • Challenging Cookie-Cutter Advice

    • Traditional advice often says things like "forget about it" which can make situations worse.
    • Athletes need to challenge their views on success and failure.

  • Mindset vs. Results Focus

    • Traditional approach: Have (results) → Do (actions) → Be (identity).
    • New approach: Be (clarity on identity) → Do (actions) → Have (results).
    • Shift from an external to an internal focus for success.

  • Practical Example: Connor Brown

    • Faced a scoring slump in NHL; shifted focus from results to identity and process.
    • By focusing on who he wanted to be, he began to play more freely, leading to improved performance.

  • Flipping the Script:

    • Accepting that not scoring in every game is part of playing allows freedom to perform.
    • Use analogies (e.g., digging for gold vs. being a miner) to reframe mindsets.
Step 2: Commitment and Identity

  • Identity Shift

    • Replace limiting "I am" statements (e.g., "I have a confidence problem") with empowered identities.
    • Focus on who you want to become rather than who you've been.

  • Alter Ego as a Tool

    • The concept comes from Todd Herman, utilizing different identities to maximize strengths.
    • Apply narratives that evoke feelings for better motivation (e.g., warrior analogy: swords vs. shield).

  • Exercise:

    • Identify who you want to be in performance situations versus what you fear.
    • Create a narrative for your alter ego to enhance performance.
Step 3: Stay Connected to the Love of the Game

  • Avoid External Pressure

    • The importance of staying connected to intrinsic motivation (love for the game) vs. external validation (money, awards).

  • Examples of Inputs vs. Outputs

    • Negative mental inputs (comparison, social media) lead to negative outputs (anxiety, stress).
    • Focus on positive inputs related to personal processes to yield better outputs.

  • Practical Example: A Surgeon’s Mindset

    • Case study where a surgeon learned acceptance of the range of challenges to maintain composure and focus on performance despite obstacles.

Summary of Concepts

  • Step 1: Breaking Free

    • Accept results; focus on internal motivations and identity.

  • Step 2: Get Dialed In

    • Clarify who you want to be; create empowering alter egos; establish routines.

  • Step 3: Enjoy the Journey

    • Stay rooted in why you began; enjoy the process and growth, not just the outcomes.

  • Key Takeaway

    • Choose a mindset-first approach to achieve great results while enjoying the journey.