External Factors in Performance
It’s always interesting to see what happens when a new individual athlete or team rises up and has success. The success will be looked at under a microscope and they will dive into the training methods or recovery methods that were used in preparation for the event. For months after, you will see new exercises and training ideas all over the internet because it worked for that athlete or team then it’ll definitely transfer to success for others. While success does leave clues, I think it’s important that we dive deeper and explore the foundation that cultivated success in the first place. I first observed this during my competitive powerlifting career while at Westside Barbell. In a world renowned gym, under the watchful eye of one of the most decorated coaches, with training plan that had stood the test of time you would see some people break all time world records while others following the same protocols wouldn’t be able to finish the competition. This would happen time after time. Searching for performance is like searching for what helps people in designated blue zones throughout the world live longer. It’s often not is visibly different above the surface, but often it’s the common features below the surface. Spoiler alert, in most cases these are much less headline worthy and will get very little recognition on social media. When evaluating success in performance, you have to examine individuals or teams that are able to replicate success. This where you’ll find the real difference makers and not the exception to the rule.
Community
Even in individual sports like powerlifting which I found success in, the community aspect of your training partners and coaches means more to you than your own individual success. Having individual success builds the team factor and makes the bonds stronger of the entire unit. I remember a distinct shift in my performance when I realized that my individual performance was a reflection of the gyms, coaches, and athletes I was surrounded by. It made it bigger than myself as an individual. My friend Gregg Parini has also done this with Denison Swim and Dive. When we talk with alumni of the program, they speak of the culture that has been established that has driven success over the years. Community gives us a sense of belonging and something bigger than ourselves to compete for. When an individual athlete has success, watch after the event how many people celebrate with them. It’s always a large group of people and without all of those people, the success wouldn’t be possible.
Happiness
I know people will push back and use examples of unhappy people that used it as motivation for their success. This does work…for a period of time, but will run dry and will usually be a scary sight for those around. Happy people are fueling their performance for themselves while unhappy people are striving to satisfy other people (parents, peers, coaches). Happier people will be able to recognize their own progress rather than constantly focused on comparison to others. When we’re happy with our effort, progress, and our result regardless of final placing we fall in love with the process rather than the result.
Stress
When I previously worked in a high school weight room, we would always pre-summer test athletes during exams. We would then post test to gauge effectiveness of summer training right before two a days would begin. These are two awful time periods to expect peak and accurate measurements of performance. There are several factors beyond the weight room playing into the equation. End of school year leads to things like dances, graduation parties, vacation plans, and finals. This is why I adopted training 50 weeks per year instead of focusing on short periods of time for growth. This allows you to gain more benefit from doing a lower intensity level more consistently. This compounds over time and allows you to raise or lower intensity to gain even more benefit without worrying about not getting enough from training or too much.
Mindfulness
the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something."their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition”
a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
There’s no doubt that our society is award driven, but when that is the driver it becomes difficult to appreciate the current state you’re in. This is like being on date night, but your focus is the upcoming vacation. Winning a big match, but dreading the next opponent. This was documented well in a 30/30 documentary with Urban Meyer who spoke about winning a National Championship and instead of celebrating with his team he was in the office making recruiting calls for the upcoming season. In sports, we need to be present every play because the previous play good or bad has already happened. Dwelling on that can only rise anxiety about what could happen on the next play, which would decrease performance output because our body isn’t connected with our mind in that moment. A wonderful and simple practice for everyone to try is Box Breathing. I use this for 5 minutes each day. Simply breath in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds- repeat this cycle for period of time. Focus on nasal breathing while doing this.
Performance is simply a measurement at one moment, but it doesn’t give us a complete picture from a holistic stand point. Performance measurements are simply a chance for us to look at our current level and see if we need to adjust by reducing or increasing in a certain area. At each check point, I think it’s very valuable for the coach to look at these external factors as the athlete will always be limited if these aren’t a focus for their longevity.
Nick Showman
Showtime Strength & Performance