Task vs Ego Oriented Performance Mindset

Focus on the task, not your "worth." I've been trying to help my son during his gymnastics competition season to train his mind for optimal performance, and the principles we are learning also apply to developing a Wise Food Mind. Changing eating habits is psychological as much as physical, as it can be overwhelming to know where and how to change, and daunting when you don't feel you are progressing or fall back into old habits. In a wonderful sports psychology book called "The Fearless Mind" by Craig Manning, he talks about how to train your mind to set a realistic objective, and then focus on the tasks it will take to get there (task oriented) instead of how others are better than you, or you are better than others, or how you messed up again (ego oriented). He encourages all who seek to improve their performance in anyway to say, "I can do this" during the task, and after think of three good things you achieved and one thing you can work on for continual growth. In his own words Manning explains:  "It takes time to develop good mental habits so our thoughts don't betray us at critical moments, or at least to know how to deal with unwanted thoughts that pop into our minds and not allow single thoughts to explode into crippling self doubt. "Anxiety is a normal component of our composition. We don't want to get rid of our anxiety, but we do need to learn to control it. "Research tells us that ego-oriented individuals typically have higher anxiety [as these] individuals usually set expectations that are not within their direct control. When ego-oriented individuals win, they think more of themselves; when they lose, they think less of themselves. Self worth becomes very fragile and is dependent on outcome when the outcome is often not within the direct control of the individual. Therefore, one's self-worth is contingent on variables outside one's immediate control, resulting in a significant rise in anxiety. "The most important way I have found to lower and control anxiety is through setting appropriate objectives and expectations. When we set appropriate objectives, fear has very little, if any room to exist in our daily mental processing. Focus on realistic skill sets you have direct control over that would lead to your objective, always just a little beyond your reach, motivating but not discouraging you. Setting task oriented objectives provides a mental framework where we are held accountable for what we have control over. "Once we have learned and have a deep understanding that high performance is about continual growth, the greatest battle has been won." Be confident, be positive, be realistic; make it about growth not worth. Reforming eating habits is just another way to train and discipline our minds to become the best we can be! For more information visit www.wisefoodmind.com

KEEP THE FUN IN FOOD! My brother-in-law has asked me on occasion during a family dinner or out to eat, "Heather I am surprised you are eating that." He seems to believe that I stay away from anything even remotely "bad" for me because I believe in establishing healthful food boundaries. I am careful about my intake but also careful not do deprive myself. Remember that there are drawbacks and benefits of almost any type of food, and only you can decide what drawback you need to stay away from according to your unique metabolic type. We still need to have food that is enjoyable, colorful, and brings us pleasure, or psychologically we set ourselves up for failure. I may not be able to have dessert, but I'll take the sweet potato fries!