WHEN SEEKING PEAK PERFORMANCE, DETAILS MATTER

The 2024 Summer Olympics are around the corner, and I, for one, can’t wait to watch. Not only do you see world-class athletes pushing the boundaries of human capability, but the unexpected twists, close finishes, and dramatic moments keep me on the edge of my seat.

But my favorite part of watching the Olympics is hearing about the athletes’ journeys. From underdog victories to record-breaking performances, these incredible stories are about perseverance, dedication, and triumph at their best.

Olympians’ stories are great examples of how to turn setbacks into golden opportunities.

The key is to focus on the athlete’s resilience and not the perceived perfectionism.

Unfortunately, perfectionism is often seen as a trait that drives people to achieve high standards. Yet the pressure to be perfect can have several detrimental effects on mental health, such as a fear of failure, chronic stress and anxiety, and depression.

Thankfully, many American competitors in the Paris games this summer are avoiding this trap and opting to prioritize mental health.

So, how can you follow in their footsteps?

Start by avoiding these common perfection pitfalls.

Perfection Pitfall: Control
The beauty of the Olympics is that you never know what will happen. Bad weather, a lousy night’s sleep, or an unexpected dark horse can wreak havoc on even the best-trained athletes and are good reminders that there will always be elements we can and can’t control in a game-time situation.

Pro Tip: Own your mindset and reactions. Self-awareness and compassion can help you reframe negative thoughts and bounce back from setbacks. And if you need an extra boost, be sure to surround yourself with positive people.

Perfection Pitfall: Complexity
A standard trapping of perfectionism is overthinking and overcomplicating problems. An overwhelmed mind can lead to analysis paralysis, procrastination, slow decision-making, and a distorted perception of reality.

Pro Tip: Find your state of flow. If your mind is filled with doubts, set a timer to limit how long you’ll allow yourself to wallow, and then challenge those negative thoughts. Visualize how you want to feel at the finish line. Stay present and take action.

Perfection Pitfall: Competence
How well you play during a game or in a moment does not define you. Expect fluctuations, outliers, and uncontrollable elements to occur in every competition, and remind yourself that your skills, talent, and value go far beyond any one performance.

Pro Tip: Practice makes perfect peak performance. Deliberate practice helps develop skills, build confidence, and refine abilities through repetition and consistency. When you’re done practicing, make time for feedback and self-reflection, use your setbacks to your advantage, and set challenging goals for the next time.

A Special Note to Parents
Watch the Olympics with your athlete this summer and talk about what it takes to get to this level of competition— not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. How resilient are they? What happens after the build-up of the games is over? Focus on being in the moment and viewing mistakes as a learning opportunity.

The new Olympic motto reads in Latin, “Citius, Altius, Fortius—Communiter,” which translates to “Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together” in English. This sentiment is an excellent reminder that it takes a strong sense of self, determination, and commitment to continue. It’s okay to push yourself to try your best but remember there’s a reason “perfect” isn’t anywhere in that motto.

Don’t let perfection stand in the way of greatness (or a really fun opportunity)— master your mental game at EleVive.com.