Perform Smarter, Not Harder

Just give a 110% effort! Has anyone ever told you that prior to a performance?

The more valuable advice may very well be… “Perform smarter, not harder.”

Trying harder, shooting for perfection, or attempting to meet crazy-high expectations rarely produce better results.

In fact, these false motivators generally cause athletes to try too hard…

Trying to do too much triggers an athlete’s muscles to tighten, interferes with split-second decision-making and interrupts with the natural flow of your mechanics.

Trying to do too much causes you to force plays instead of allowing your body to perform as you have trained it to do.

Many football analysts suggest that Andrew Luck, franchise quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, has been trying too hard to carry his team to a championship.

Luck carries the hopes of a city squarely upon his shoulders every time he steps on the gridiron.

Being one of the most talented and smartest quarterbacks in the NFL, Luck has had huge shoes to fill since taking over the starting role from Peyton Manning since being drafted number one overall in 2012…

And with so much talent comes nearly impossible expectations that require a near-perfect performance every week.

Luck played well enough to put the Colts in the playoffs each of his three seasons, but he has hit many speed bumps along the way. Since entering the NFL in 2012, Luck has been picked off 48 times and fumbled 30 times.

The Colts started the 2015 season losing its first two games and Luck is trying to make up for an inexperienced offensive line, lackluster running game and few weapons to utilize on offense.

So rather than taking what defenses are giving him, Luck is trying to force throws leading to incompletions and interceptions.

Luck is trying to do too much, trying to play too fast, and attempting to make up for his mistakes on the field leading to more turnovers.

Colts veteran backup QB Matt Hasselbeck has stated that Luck is just trying to do too much.

HASSELBECK: “He’s trying so hard to make everything right. I don’t know what to say other than I’ve seen Hall of Fame hitters in baseball have a slump and the best 3-pointer shooters in the NBA go cold. The reason is that, sometimes, they’re just trying too hard.”

Bob Tewsbury, former Major League pitcher and mental performance coach, explains why effort is required to succeed, but too much effort can lead to disaster.

TEWSBURY: “People think that the harder they try, the better the results. But effort versus success is not a straightforward upward graph but rather a curve. Once a player goes beyond a certain “effort” threshold, it actually begins to hurt their performance.”

The only way to succeed in sports is to perform within your capabilities no matter what the game circumstances are.

Tips for “performing within yourself” or playing your game:

“Performing within yourself” is a matter of playing relaxed and controlled instead of playing at a higher level than you practice.

Review past successful performances and rate your level of effort and emotion from 1-10 (10 being playing out of control or trying to do too much).

Rehearse your performance and imagine playing relaxed and effortless. When athletes perform at their peak, they report it feels easy, not forced.

Shoot for producing quality performances. By performing within yourself, staying in the moment and staying relaxed, you are far more likely to play at an optimal level.

Check Out Our Video of The Week, What Is Mental Toughness For Athletes?

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