The power behind timing out

As a member of futsal, basketball, tennis and e-sports teams I’ve seen matches won and lost because of a good use of timeouts.

I’m not the only one.

And slowing down your mind is almost always a good thing. When he coaches athletes, Tewksbury uses a simple, four-step mantra to get their mind right.

Step one: slow down.

Step two: breathe. Seriously — under pressure, it’s easy to forget to breathe. Breathing is important, and it helps you slow down.

Step three: engage in some positive self-talk: “I got this.”

Step four: focus on the task at hand.

There, now you’ve got it: Bob Tewksbury’s recipe for success in athletic competition under pressure.

Bob Tewksbury’s four-step mantra (via Freakonomics)

When you compete, and you do it not only on sports but in your work life, you strive for being a better version of yourself. Each day.

Pressure could be a useful fuel. But pressure can also paralyze you.

Practice your mantra. Slow down, breathe, be positive, focus. Repeat. Until you master the power behind timing out.