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Performance Edge
Sport Psychology

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Week 5: Applied Learnings Series Revisited

👂 We have two ears
We are blessed with 2 ears for a reason, we should be listening more than we are speaking.

What are you doing to ensure that those around you feel heard, valued and respected, listening is a key part of how we engage with another human being.

Check out this week’s applied tips and reminders for how to listen well. I challenge you to try number 2 out!

#sportpsychology #listeningskills #twoears #connection #performancelessons #curiousity

Week 5: Applied Learnings Series Revisited

👂 We have two ears
We are blessed with 2 ears for a reason, we should be listening more than we are speaking.

What are you doing to ensure that those around you feel heard, valued and respected, listening is a key part of how we engage with another human being.

Check out this week’s applied tips and reminders for how to listen well. I challenge you to try number 2 out!

#sportpsychology #listeningskills #twoears #connection #performancelessons #curiousity

WEEK 4 - Re-Releasing applied reflections from more than a decade of working in performance environments

🚪 When your ego knocks at the door

It has only been in recent years that I have come to know my EGO really well and through this I have also come to understand when and how it arrives.

In high performance environments we talk about the ego of athletes often, in my opinion the ego gets a negative reputation, however it’s not all bad.

In fact, it is at the core of who we are, what we believe in and how we develop our own unique identity. Check out this week‘s post

1. When your ego arrives

2. Letting it in

3. Understanding it

#ego #performancelessons #appliedpractice #backyourself #knowyourself #reflection #sportpsychology #mindset

WEEK 4 - Re-Releasing applied reflections from more than a decade of working in performance environments

🚪 When your ego knocks at the door

It has only been in recent years that I have come to know my EGO really well and through this I have also come to understand when and how it arrives.

In high performance environments we talk about the ego of athletes often, in my opinion the ego gets a negative reputation, however it’s not all bad.

In fact, it is at the core of who we are, what we believe in and how we develop our own unique identity. Check out this week‘s post

1. When your ego arrives

2. Letting it in

3. Understanding it

#ego #performancelessons #appliedpractice #backyourself #knowyourself #reflection #sportpsychology #mindset

Week 3 of my 52 weeks of re-releasing some reflections I made during 2022 after many years as a F/T applied Sport Psychologist.

FLEX TO ADAPT

🏎️ We all know what a fast paced, dynamic environment elite sport can be, learning to flex how you work and adapt to an ever-changing hour, day, week is integral to thriving as a sport psychologist.

🤔 Our start point is often to understand how far from our values and our professional philosophy we are prepared to flex and at what point it simply it blocks authenticity.

⚖️ The balance lays between serving the needs of the system whilst staying true to our professional practice

#authenticity #flex #thrive #adapt #sportperformance #appliedsportpsychology #performancelessons

Week 3 of my 52 weeks of re-releasing some reflections I made during 2022 after many years as a F/T applied Sport Psychologist.

FLEX TO ADAPT

🏎️ We all know what a fast paced, dynamic environment elite sport can be, learning to flex how you work and adapt to an ever-changing hour, day, week is integral to thriving as a sport psychologist.

🤔 Our start point is often to understand how far from our values and our professional philosophy we are prepared to flex and at what point it simply it blocks authenticity.

⚖️ The balance lays between serving the needs of the system whilst staying true to our professional practice

#authenticity #flex #thrive #adapt #sportperformance #appliedsportpsychology #performancelessons

Consistency and visibility

So here I am again, back with more experiences from more than a decade of applied practice in professional sport, this week I am focussing on consistency and visibility, especially timely as many of us have hybrid working patterns.

Can we be constant with our actions, after all we are what we do NOT what we say we will do.

How can we ensure that we are maintaining the visibility required for building strong relationships with colleagues and athletes, the coffee machine/canteen conversations are often so rich.

#sportpsych #appliedsportpsychology #visibility #curiousity #sportperformance #collaborate #explore

Consistency and visibility

So here I am again, back with more experiences from more than a decade of applied practice in professional sport, this week I am focussing on consistency and visibility, especially timely as many of us have hybrid working patterns.

Can we be constant with our actions, after all we are what we do NOT what we say we will do.

How can we ensure that we are maintaining the visibility required for building strong relationships with colleagues and athletes, the coffee machine/canteen conversations are often so rich.

#sportpsych #appliedsportpsychology #visibility #curiousity #sportperformance #collaborate #explore

On the 14th Of April 2022 I decided to do something with my notes, scribbles and reflections I made when on my weekly runs and walks (usually on the beach). I vividly remember my good friend (and social media guru) @ivicasagrande suggesting that the practitioner world may find them useful 🤔 , so I challenged myself to share an applied learning once a week for a year. Things that during my 9 years working F/T in a PL football club I had pondered, discovered or at times, battled with.

🔢 The aim was not to amass a huge following (as you can see, I really didn't!) but rather to use my lifetime of being full time in sport as a an athlete, a teacher, a coach and over the last 15 years, an applied sport psychologist, to support others working in sport, especially in football.

✍ I decided that whether I have 1 follower or 1 million it does not diminish the value of sharing experiences. In fact, it became a cathartic and purposeful reflection process that has helped me to keep developing.

🎢 So.....for your viewing pleasure I am re-releasing my applied learning series nearly three years on and having learned much more from my successes, failures, highs and lows in my varied applied work as a consultant.

🪞 The first one below is based on identity and understanding our value beyond a title, after all "labels are for jars" 🫙 . (@edbowers101 😉 )

Still working on this one but have a much healthier view of self than I did some years ago!

If you think anyone in your network would benefit from this please share.

On the 14th Of April 2022 I decided to do something with my notes, scribbles and reflections I made when on my weekly runs and walks (usually on the beach). I vividly remember my good friend (and social media guru) @ivicasagrande suggesting that the practitioner world may find them useful 🤔 , so I challenged myself to share an applied learning once a week for a year. Things that during my 9 years working F/T in a PL football club I had pondered, discovered or at times, battled with.

🔢 The aim was not to amass a huge following (as you can see, I really didn't!) but rather to use my lifetime of being full time in sport as a an athlete, a teacher, a coach and over the last 15 years, an applied sport psychologist, to support others working in sport, especially in football.

✍ I decided that whether I have 1 follower or 1 million it does not diminish the value of sharing experiences. In fact, it became a cathartic and purposeful reflection process that has helped me to keep developing.

🎢 So.....for your viewing pleasure I am re-releasing my applied learning series nearly three years on and having learned much more from my successes, failures, highs and lows in my varied applied work as a consultant.

🪞 The first one below is based on identity and understanding our value beyond a title, after all "labels are for jars" 🫙 . (@edbowers101 😉 )

Still working on this one but have a much healthier view of self than I did some years ago!

If you think anyone in your network would benefit from this please share.

Magical evening in nature, resting heart rate down a few beats today! #restore #recharge #lights @leonardsleelightsofficial

Magical evening in nature, resting heart rate down a few beats today! #restore #recharge #lights @leonardsleelightsofficial

Super proud of this group graduating from The Premier League Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme. Very sad not to have been at the event but that’s the cost of international football and one I chose to pay.

It’s been an honour to lead cohort 4 over the past two years. The future of coaching is bright and I know they’ll go on to write many more amazing chapters.

#CIDS4

Cairo Brooks-Hoo Alice Weaving Ahmet Akdag Lionel Djagba Nicola Cousins

Very grateful to Osei Sankofa, Daljinder Jagpaul and Liam McCarthy for their consistent support of the cohort. What a team!

Super proud of this group graduating from The Premier League Coach Inclusion & Diversity Scheme. Very sad not to have been at the event but that’s the cost of international football and one I chose to pay.

It’s been an honour to lead cohort 4 over the past two years. The future of coaching is bright and I know they’ll go on to write many more amazing chapters.

#CIDS4

Cairo Brooks-Hoo Alice Weaving Ahmet Akdag Lionel Djagba Nicola Cousins

Very grateful to Osei Sankofa, Daljinder Jagpaul and Liam McCarthy for their consistent support of the cohort. What a team!

So proud of this amazing group.

We will not be defined by the result on Tuesday evening but by the relentless desire and passion every step of the way.

It’s been a tough week, but we will come back stronger.
🇮🇪☘️
@sportsfilesteve 📸

So proud of this amazing group.

We will not be defined by the result on Tuesday evening but by the relentless desire and passion every step of the way.

It’s been a tough week, but we will come back stronger.
🇮🇪☘️
@sportsfilesteve 📸

Still space left on our @bases_psy webinar this Wednesday where the fabulous @bateyjo and I will be discussing some of the critical moments we have experienced as applied Sport Psychologists.

Sign up here:
https://tinyurl.com/BASES-Webinar

The concept for the webinar is based on our book chapter of the same title, out this August:

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003398271-11/navigating-critical-moments-practice-jo-batey-sarah-murray?context=ubx&refId=61c4078b-5b6f-4296-a2a9-74a7bdb5f176

Professional Skills in Sport Psychology Consultancy.
Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics

Still space left on our @bases_psy webinar this Wednesday where the fabulous @bateyjo and I will be discussing some of the critical moments we have experienced as applied Sport Psychologists.

Sign up here:
https://tinyurl.com/BASES-Webinar

The concept for the webinar is based on our book chapter of the same title, out this August:

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003398271-11/navigating-critical-moments-practice-jo-batey-sarah-murray?context=ubx&refId=61c4078b-5b6f-4296-a2a9-74a7bdb5f176

Professional Skills in Sport Psychology Consultancy.
Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics

And the best part of my week so far..........the people in it. So good to catch up with @bateyjo and colleagues at DSEP conference and then fly straight to work with a brilliant, albeit cold, team! Game day.... 💚 @sportsfilesteve

And the best part of my week so far..........the people in it. So good to catch up with @bateyjo and colleagues at DSEP conference and then fly straight to work with a brilliant, albeit cold, team! Game day.... 💚 @sportsfilesteve

An enjoyable DSEP 2023 conference, I was delighted to share the stage with
@bateyjo exploring critical moments within our professional experiences. #individuation #culture #environment #professionalselves #personalselves #values
@bps_dsep

An enjoyable DSEP 2023 conference, I was delighted to share the stage with
@bateyjo exploring critical moments within our professional experiences. #individuation #culture #environment #professionalselves #personalselves #values
@bps_dsep

WEEK 52 FINAL RELEASE

Applied Learnings Series
Part 2; Advice to my younger self

My final words to the Sarah Murray of 2009 as I began my journey into Sport Psychology. I wonder what I will be telling the me of 2023 in years to come?

One thing I know is that I am constantly learning and amazed by the journey that I am on personally and with my clients. I am very grateful for being able support awesome human beings to develop and grow on their journey as leaders, coaches, athletes, CEO's and most importantly as people.

WEEK 52 FINAL RELEASE

Applied Learnings Series
Part 2; Advice to my younger self

My final words to the Sarah Murray of 2009 as I began my journey into Sport Psychology. I wonder what I will be telling the me of 2023 in years to come?

One thing I know is that I am constantly learning and amazed by the journey that I am on personally and with my clients. I am very grateful for being able support awesome human beings to develop and grow on their journey as leaders, coaches, athletes, CEO's and most importantly as people.

WEEK 52 FINAL Applied Learning Series
Advice to my younger self (part 1)
Yes this is late but it’s taken me a couple of weeks to put this post together (and to cut it down!)

A year ago I had just left a full time applied role that I’d spent 9 years building. The amount of reflections bouncing around my little old head was overwhelming, I wanted them to be useful not only for me but for others who are trainee or established sport psychologists.

Every week for the last year I have posted something that I learned working in professional sport. I think it’s important to share our experiences and to reflect on our journey. I could go on writing this indefinitely with what I have since learnt in the year just passed but I’m going to spare you that and leave you with my advice to the Sarah Murray of 2009 (which is when my journey in applied sport psychology began)
#sportpsychology #reflection #journey #appliedlearning #lettertomyself

WEEK 52 FINAL Applied Learning Series
Advice to my younger self (part 1)
Yes this is late but it’s taken me a couple of weeks to put this post together (and to cut it down!)

A year ago I had just left a full time applied role that I’d spent 9 years building. The amount of reflections bouncing around my little old head was overwhelming, I wanted them to be useful not only for me but for others who are trainee or established sport psychologists.

Every week for the last year I have posted something that I learned working in professional sport. I think it’s important to share our experiences and to reflect on our journey. I could go on writing this indefinitely with what I have since learnt in the year just passed but I’m going to spare you that and leave you with my advice to the Sarah Murray of 2009 (which is when my journey in applied sport psychology began)
#sportpsychology #reflection #journey #appliedlearning #lettertomyself

WEEK 51 Applied Learning Series

PENULTIMATE RELEASE!

Build a community around you

As I reflect on over a decade working in professional sport as a sport psychologist I can’t help thinking that I might not have lasted this long without an incredible community of sport psychologists around me. From those who I trained with, to those colleagues that have become part of my community during the journey so far; I am so grateful.

🏆Peer supervision is invaluable!

🪙Our role can feel isolating and lonely at times, even in the most open and integrated performance environments. If I had a penny for every time I have reached out to a fellow sport psychologist with a challenge, an issue, an idea, a different lens or to be able to have a good old rant, I would be a very wealthy woman!

🧭No matter where you are in your professional journey, make sure you are building a trusted community of practitioners around you.

#sportpsychology #reflection #peersupport
#appliedlearning #challenge #trust #development

WEEK 51 Applied Learning Series

PENULTIMATE RELEASE!

Build a community around you

As I reflect on over a decade working in professional sport as a sport psychologist I can’t help thinking that I might not have lasted this long without an incredible community of sport psychologists around me. From those who I trained with, to those colleagues that have become part of my community during the journey so far; I am so grateful.

🏆Peer supervision is invaluable!

🪙Our role can feel isolating and lonely at times, even in the most open and integrated performance environments. If I had a penny for every time I have reached out to a fellow sport psychologist with a challenge, an issue, an idea, a different lens or to be able to have a good old rant, I would be a very wealthy woman!

🧭No matter where you are in your professional journey, make sure you are building a trusted community of practitioners around you.

#sportpsychology #reflection #peersupport
#appliedlearning #challenge #trust #development

WEEK 50 Applied Learning Series

Meaningful Reflection

‘Learning doesn’t take place via our experiences, it takes place when we reflect on those experiences’ (John Dewey)

📑When I was training to be a PE teacher and again during my training to become a sport psychologist, reflection on experiences was an expectation upon which I either passed or failed. For many years, I saw it as exactly this; something that was an academic necessity, rather than a vital learning tool.

🏆Over the last decade I have come to develop a style of reflection that suits me, incorporating it into my professional practice in a structured & purposeful way. The benefits go beyond professional development, reflection has helped me increase self-awareness and understand why and how I think as I do.

It has supported me to understand who I am, authenticity that aligns with the work I do to help others reflect and learn from their experiences on the pitch/track/court/board room.

#appliedlearning #reflection #sportpsychology #toolstoreflect

WEEK 50 Applied Learning Series

Meaningful Reflection

‘Learning doesn’t take place via our experiences, it takes place when we reflect on those experiences’ (John Dewey)

📑When I was training to be a PE teacher and again during my training to become a sport psychologist, reflection on experiences was an expectation upon which I either passed or failed. For many years, I saw it as exactly this; something that was an academic necessity, rather than a vital learning tool.

🏆Over the last decade I have come to develop a style of reflection that suits me, incorporating it into my professional practice in a structured & purposeful way. The benefits go beyond professional development, reflection has helped me increase self-awareness and understand why and how I think as I do.

It has supported me to understand who I am, authenticity that aligns with the work I do to help others reflect and learn from their experiences on the pitch/track/court/board room.

#appliedlearning #reflection #sportpsychology #toolstoreflect

WEEK 49 Applied Learnings Series

Beyond your badge

As hard as it is to believe, as a sport psychologist, I’m also striving to be a functioning human being beyond any badge that I may work for or be associated with.

Working full time in professional sport is an appealing prospect and one that I am privileged to experience but the reality is that it is a volatile industry, one where environments may be loaded with fear and threat.

In the blink of an eye the badge you spent so long devoting your time and energy to, can be gone. Of course this is the reality of any profession, hence your sense of self beyond any badge is so important.

#identity #thebadge #sportpsychology #reflection #appliedlearning

WEEK 49 Applied Learnings Series

Beyond your badge

As hard as it is to believe, as a sport psychologist, I’m also striving to be a functioning human being beyond any badge that I may work for or be associated with.

Working full time in professional sport is an appealing prospect and one that I am privileged to experience but the reality is that it is a volatile industry, one where environments may be loaded with fear and threat.

In the blink of an eye the badge you spent so long devoting your time and energy to, can be gone. Of course this is the reality of any profession, hence your sense of self beyond any badge is so important.

#identity #thebadge #sportpsychology #reflection #appliedlearning

WEEK 48 Applied Learning Series
Sport Psychologist = “fixer”
🔧“The player has an issue, send them to the psychologist”. Being seen as someone who works only with problems/issues is an easy trap to fall into as a sport psychologist.

✋When we position ourselves as NOT being exclusive to ‘fixing’, we can better normalise our work as a ‘value added’ athlete experience.

📲The media portrayal has not helped this process, articles often only discussing the use of a sport psychologist when a player has a problem.

❓What are we doing to reframe this view? Where and how do you ensure your work is adding value to an athletes experience & performance when there’s nothing ‘wrong’?
#sportpsychology #appliedpractice
#learning #performance #balance

WEEK 48 Applied Learning Series
Sport Psychologist = “fixer”
🔧“The player has an issue, send them to the psychologist”. Being seen as someone who works only with problems/issues is an easy trap to fall into as a sport psychologist.

✋When we position ourselves as NOT being exclusive to ‘fixing’, we can better normalise our work as a ‘value added’ athlete experience.

📲The media portrayal has not helped this process, articles often only discussing the use of a sport psychologist when a player has a problem.

❓What are we doing to reframe this view? Where and how do you ensure your work is adding value to an athletes experience & performance when there’s nothing ‘wrong’?
#sportpsychology #appliedpractice
#learning #performance #balance

WEEK 47 Applied Learning Series

Casual Collisions

Some (in fact it's most) of the best interactions I have had with colleagues and athletes have arisen due to a casual collision. We weren’t planning on that conversation, that idea, that collaboration, it just came about organically because we found ourselves sharing the coffee machine, walking in from the pitch together or perhaps sat together at breakfast.

Coined as a term initially by Silicon Valley when two employees find themselves in the same space unexpectedly, often with the result being ideas, collaboration and innovation.

We already do this naturally, however when we recognise its' benefit, can we create more opportunities for the collisions? How may this serve us well in our role?
#appliedsportpsychology #casualcollisions #connection #ideas #relationships

WEEK 47 Applied Learning Series

Casual Collisions

Some (in fact it's most) of the best interactions I have had with colleagues and athletes have arisen due to a casual collision. We weren’t planning on that conversation, that idea, that collaboration, it just came about organically because we found ourselves sharing the coffee machine, walking in from the pitch together or perhaps sat together at breakfast.

Coined as a term initially by Silicon Valley when two employees find themselves in the same space unexpectedly, often with the result being ideas, collaboration and innovation.

We already do this naturally, however when we recognise its' benefit, can we create more opportunities for the collisions? How may this serve us well in our role?
#appliedsportpsychology #casualcollisions #connection #ideas #relationships

WEEK 46 Applied Learning Series

Are you taking a map or a compass?
Recently I was asked whether I would chose to take a map or a compass with me through the next few years (both wasn’t an option!).

It got me reflecting on the journey that many of us in sport will encounter, one that is not linear, changes direction and often feels messy.

🗺 A map is helpful in a known world that has been charted, for example during your training to be a sport psychologist, there are known landmarks to pass and destinations that have to be visited on the map.

🧭In my experience, the benefit of a compass is for when we are in uncharted waters (which can be often) for example; being the first sport psychologist to work within a team or organisation.

My compass gives me a sense of direction, yet allows me to find my own way though the complexities of performance environments and the people/systems within them.

#sportpsychology #appliedpractice #compass #truenorth #journey

WEEK 46 Applied Learning Series

Are you taking a map or a compass?
Recently I was asked whether I would chose to take a map or a compass with me through the next few years (both wasn’t an option!).

It got me reflecting on the journey that many of us in sport will encounter, one that is not linear, changes direction and often feels messy.

🗺 A map is helpful in a known world that has been charted, for example during your training to be a sport psychologist, there are known landmarks to pass and destinations that have to be visited on the map.

🧭In my experience, the benefit of a compass is for when we are in uncharted waters (which can be often) for example; being the first sport psychologist to work within a team or organisation.

My compass gives me a sense of direction, yet allows me to find my own way though the complexities of performance environments and the people/systems within them.

#sportpsychology #appliedpractice #compass #truenorth #journey

Applied learning series 45. Words matter
🗣️I am a huge fan of language, give me words rather than numbers any day (cue: negative childhood experiences of maths🤣). This is why paying attention to the words we use & the context within which we use them is so important.
🤝Being aware of our language & understanding the power of the words that we choose to use, can impact relationships in our environment.
#choosewisely #selfawareness #sportpsychology #appliedpractice #langauge

Applied learning series 45. Words matter
🗣️I am a huge fan of language, give me words rather than numbers any day (cue: negative childhood experiences of maths🤣). This is why paying attention to the words we use & the context within which we use them is so important.
🤝Being aware of our language & understanding the power of the words that we choose to use, can impact relationships in our environment.
#choosewisely #selfawareness #sportpsychology #appliedpractice #langauge

WEEK 44 Applied Learning Series
Practice what you preach
I truly believe that a sport psychologists, we should be practising what we preach. We are encouraging athletes and clients to be open to working on themselves. It’s our responsibility that we do the same. Do your actions and behaviours align with what you are “preaching”
#congruentpractise #sportpsychology #authenticity #rolemodel

WEEK 44 Applied Learning Series
Practice what you preach
I truly believe that a sport psychologists, we should be practising what we preach. We are encouraging athletes and clients to be open to working on themselves. It’s our responsibility that we do the same. Do your actions and behaviours align with what you are “preaching”
#congruentpractise #sportpsychology #authenticity #rolemodel

What a pleasure it was to talk psychology of managers the media and the fans with @markchapmansport on BBC radio 5live’s The Monday night club, give it a listen here 👇🏼 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jjfb

What a pleasure it was to talk psychology of managers the media and the fans with @markchapmansport on BBC radio 5live’s The Monday night club, give it a listen here 👇🏼 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jjfb

Great time speaking about psychology and football at the women’s football conference. Exciting times for women’s football in Ireland @faireland

Great time speaking about psychology and football at the women’s football conference. Exciting times for women’s football in Ireland @faireland

WEEK 43 Applied Learning Series

What does a Sport Psychologist do?

Now there’s a question I get asked a lot & without sounding too much like a stereotypical psychologist “it depends” and it truly does depend on so many things. Context, people, situation, resource, experience, perception, to name a few.

In my experience within teams and organisations, two things crop up consistently surrounding the value that a sport psychologist can add:

1. Connecting the dots
2. Being part of the performance puzzle

#appliedpractice #context #sportpsych #connectors #sharedvision

WEEK 43 Applied Learning Series

What does a Sport Psychologist do?

Now there’s a question I get asked a lot & without sounding too much like a stereotypical psychologist “it depends” and it truly does depend on so many things. Context, people, situation, resource, experience, perception, to name a few.

In my experience within teams and organisations, two things crop up consistently surrounding the value that a sport psychologist can add:

1. Connecting the dots
2. Being part of the performance puzzle

#appliedpractice #context #sportpsych #connectors #sharedvision

WEEK 42 Applied Learning Series
Yes & No

As a self confessed people pleaser I have struggled over the years with saying “no”, whether it’s to give more of my time to a job, team or to take on more responsibility or tasks.

I think this comes from a genuine desire to help, after all I am in a helping profession.

❓The question I failed to ask for so long was “at what cost?”. Everything has a cost, not necessarily a negative cost but some cost nevertheless. I have often been quick to say yes and slow to say no.

⏮️This year I am working hard to reverse this, a slow yes and a fast no, ensuring I do not take on too much at my own expense (I can hear those who know me laughing right now!).

💪🏼I am not saying I am great at this but I am consciously working on it.

🗣️ How quick are you to say yes to unsustainable work loads/projects/opportunities?

✋What’s stops you saying “no”?

#sportpsychology #slowyes #appliedpractice #thrive #sustainperformance

WEEK 42 Applied Learning Series
Yes & No

As a self confessed people pleaser I have struggled over the years with saying “no”, whether it’s to give more of my time to a job, team or to take on more responsibility or tasks.

I think this comes from a genuine desire to help, after all I am in a helping profession.

❓The question I failed to ask for so long was “at what cost?”. Everything has a cost, not necessarily a negative cost but some cost nevertheless. I have often been quick to say yes and slow to say no.

⏮️This year I am working hard to reverse this, a slow yes and a fast no, ensuring I do not take on too much at my own expense (I can hear those who know me laughing right now!).

💪🏼I am not saying I am great at this but I am consciously working on it.

🗣️ How quick are you to say yes to unsustainable work loads/projects/opportunities?

✋What’s stops you saying “no”?

#sportpsychology #slowyes #appliedpractice #thrive #sustainperformance

WEEK 41 Applied Learning Series

Analogies - a few of my favourites

Over the years I have heard many good analogies and subsequently then gone on to use and tweak them. I have to be careful now as I am aware of sometimes overcooking this. A coach recently said to me “you speak in riddles Sarah!”. However, the power of using them to support a connection to a topic can be pretty awesome hence I have shared a few of my favourites right here this week. What are yours?
⛅️
📲
🫙
#appliedpractice #analogies #connection #creativity #sportpsychology

WEEK 41 Applied Learning Series

Analogies - a few of my favourites

Over the years I have heard many good analogies and subsequently then gone on to use and tweak them. I have to be careful now as I am aware of sometimes overcooking this. A coach recently said to me “you speak in riddles Sarah!”. However, the power of using them to support a connection to a topic can be pretty awesome hence I have shared a few of my favourites right here this week. What are yours?
⛅️
📲
🫙
#appliedpractice #analogies #connection #creativity #sportpsychology

WEEK 40 Applied Learnings Series
Look after your S.H.E.D
As sport psychologists we are in a helping profession, as are coaches and other performance practitioners with whom we often work alongside.

🗣️There is a lot of talk of self care and not always as much action on this from those in helping professions.

🏚️I am first to say I usually have at least one area of my SHED that needs attending to at any given time, I also recognise the personal and professional impact of when my SHED is close to crumbling!

🤲🏼We cannot pour from an empty cup.
CHECK YOUR SHED

#appliedpractice #energy #performancelessons #wellbeingandperformance #selfcare

WEEK 40 Applied Learnings Series
Look after your S.H.E.D
As sport psychologists we are in a helping profession, as are coaches and other performance practitioners with whom we often work alongside.

🗣️There is a lot of talk of self care and not always as much action on this from those in helping professions.

�🏚️I am first to say I usually have at least one area of my SHED that needs attending to at any given time, I also recognise the personal and professional impact of when my SHED is close to crumbling!

🤲🏼We cannot pour from an empty cup.
CHECK YOUR SHED

#appliedpractice #energy #performancelessons #wellbeingandperformance #selfcare

ANNOUNCEMENT 👇🏼📖

So today’s the day that these arrived!

If you are a parent of a sporty child, firstly let me say thankyou for the incredible job you do, and secondly:

Our new book is for you, an acknowledgement to the incredible and tough job of being a sport parent. Available to order here:

https://www.parents in sport.co.uk/product/sports-performance-parenting

ANNOUNCEMENT 👇🏼📖

So today’s the day that these arrived!

If you are a parent of a sporty child, firstly let me say thankyou for the incredible job you do, and secondly:

Our new book is for you, an acknowledgement to the incredible and tough job of being a sport parent. Available to order here:

https://www.parents in sport.co.uk/product/sports-performance-parenting

WEEK 39 Applied Learnings Series
Sharpening your sword
❓How often are you sharpening your sword?
I am referring to maintaining and improving the tools used to carry out our role as a sport psychologist. Up-skilling yourself deliberately in some sort of CPD learning or development.

⛔️One of the dangers of being immersed in our work is that we can easily forget to keep on top of academic literature, research and our own continued professional development. I have been guilty at times of getting caught up in ‘doing’ my job at the expense of developing & learning new skills or ways to practice.

🙌🏼What CPD can give us far outweighs the cost of taking an afternoon, a day or a few hours to take part in new learning. It’s a chance to feel renewed & vitalised with new ideas which complement the quality and impact of the work we can do in tour environment.

📆Be deliberate about planning for your ongoing development every month, what are you doing and why? Book time in for it, even half hour to read an article.

#intentionaldevelopment
#CPD
#appliedsportpsychology
#learn
#appliedpractice

WEEK 39 Applied Learnings Series
Sharpening your sword
❓How often are you sharpening your sword?
I am referring to maintaining and improving the tools used to carry out our role as a sport psychologist. Up-skilling yourself deliberately in some sort of CPD learning or development.

⛔️One of the dangers of being immersed in our work is that we can easily forget to keep on top of academic literature, research and our own continued professional development. I have been guilty at times of getting caught up in ‘doing’ my job at the expense of developing & learning new skills or ways to practice.

🙌🏼What CPD can give us far outweighs the cost of taking an afternoon, a day or a few hours to take part in new learning. It’s a chance to feel renewed & vitalised with new ideas which complement the quality and impact of the work we can do in tour environment.

📆Be deliberate about planning for your ongoing development every month, what are you doing and why? Book time in for it, even half hour to read an article.

#intentionaldevelopment
#CPD
#appliedsportpsychology
#learn
#appliedpractice

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About Performance Edge

Home: Services

Welcome to Performance Edge, where performance and well-being are seen as unbreakably linked to long-term performance. We believe in a human first approach and focus on supporting clients to understand who they are as a foundation for what they do, whether that’s in sport, business or life.

We are a performance psychology consultancy based in the South of England but working globally with clients, providing support to individuals, teams and organisations to recognise and understand their performance vision, values and the day-to-day actions that align with these.

At the heart of our practice we value the individual needs of our clients as we help them manage the demands of the environment that they operate in; enabling high performance whilst recognising what supports it. Our approach focusses on individuals, groups and the complex dynamics that create longer term high performance, where ‘thriving’ rather than just ‘surviving’ is key to achieving success under pressure.

We have worked for over a decade in high performance sports and use this experience, alongside the latest from psychological research, to underpin what we do and how we do it. It’s important to us that we make sport psychology accessible and applicable to our clients, you are the expert on you after all! We are here to facilitate self-awareness and self-development, helping you feel you have the tools and strategies needed to manage your performance world effectively.

Services

We are guided by your needs

Questions about the services we provide? Feel free to reach out today

SPORT

We seek to enhance performance & well-being

We provide bespoke performance support for individuals, teams and organisations

You are the expert on you, we will help you discover this

Find out more about our sport psychology services

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