25 Jan Mental Game
We have great admiration for Kilian Jornet, the elite mountaineering athlete. In a recent NY Times interview, he related an Everest climb where he broke ribs in an avalanche, had to downclimb for fifteen hours and hadn’t eaten for an equal amount of time. And he was alone.
When the interviewer asked Jornet if he was scared, he replied that “no” he was alert. Jornet recommended being calm (in risky endeavors) and accept fear– but leave panic behind because it causes bad decisions. He said the same goes for euphoria, which can blind you to decisions needed to survive.
When you face important presentations with a lot riding on the outcome, it can feel like dangling from a cliff. In mountaineering, even a small change in weather conditions necessitates adapting. Similarly, if the mood of the audience or client changes, telling an anecdote could lead you to safety. Speaking is a mental game, and while one part of your brain is driving your content, another part is taking the temperature of the room. Being alert is your safety net.
During a performance of Macbeth at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Macduff’s sword snapped in half. In that climactic moment, Macduff is supposed to kill Macbeth. Actor Len Auclair dropped the broken sword, pulled out a dagger and killed Macbeth, played by consummate actor Raye Birk. Their mental game’s adjustment saved the performance.
No Comments