Sport Psychology Off the Field The world of sport psychology may be able to help you on the job.
Just as an athlete might mentally prepare for a sports event, so you can rehearse in advance what you're going to say to someone and how to say it, as well as anticipate questions that might come up and how to answer them. Athletes use visualization like this to reduce stress, build confidence, and ultimately get a better performance.
If you're not performing well at work, you might benefit from a
technique called cognitive restructuring. With a psychologist's help,
you think about how well you're making your points at a meeting, rather
than how the boss is hating every word and plotting to fire you.
Other techniques commonly used to enhance performance include
emphasizing process vs. outcome; using deep breathing and progressive
muscle relaxation to manage stress; and shifting attributional
orientation from external factors (such as incompetent bosses) to
internal factors (such as poor preparation).
Psychologists aren't just sharing sport psychology ideas with patients;
they're also working with corporations eager to think of themselves as
winning teams in an era of downsizing. Although their employees arenít
facing Olympic competition, they are facing the stress of trying to
increase productivity while lowering costs, the stress of working long
hours on jobs that might take weeks or months, and the stress of
fitting into a team where individual goals have to fit into group goals.
Thanks to Robert N. Singer, PhD, retired chair of the Department of
Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (formerly Exercise and Sport
Sciences) at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and former
president of APA's Division 47 (Exercise and Sports); and Shane M.
Murphy, PhD, of Western Connecticut University, who was head of sport
psychology for the U.S. Olympic Committee between 1987 and 1994.
Harnessing Mindfulness Good Morning Parmjit I apologize for taking so long in contacting you. I wanted to let you know that the evaluations sheets we handed out after you did the session for our Divisional Day (way back in October) were all excellent. Every single staff person who attended your session was very pleased with it. They all found it very relaxing and said that they would enjoy a further session and recommend you to other departments who were having a department day similar to the one you presented your session at.
Also, I should mention that you may in the very near future hear from one of my co-workers asking you to do a session for our individual team. She is working on the logistics with our manager to see what we can do about having you come to one of our meetings.
Once again, I want to thank you for the wonderful session you did for us and wish you the best in 2009.
Tish Rands Child Care Program Analyst City of Hamilton, Ontario Read on ...
