The Power of Prime

Unconscious

Our Unconscious and Conscious Minds Do Battle Daily

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on February 18, 2022

We like to think of ourselves as highly evolved and rational beings who think, feel, and act in ways that are intentional and reasonable.

We like to think of ourselves as highly evolved and rational beings who think, feel, and act in ways that are intentional and reasonable.

Free Will

Can Free Will Overcome 5 Powerful Life Forces?

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on December 1, 2021

There is uncertainty about whether we can make deliberate choices or rather just think, feel, and behave in ways driven by the five life forces that guide us.

There is uncertainty about whether we can make deliberate choices or rather just think, feel, and behave in ways driven by the five life forces that guide us.

Genetics

Five Powerful Forces That Shape Our Lives

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

Five forces that shape our lives make it difficult to find a place for true self-determination in who we become and the direction our lives take.

Five forces that shape our lives make it difficult to find a place for true self-determination in who we become and the direction our lives take.

Motivation

Three Fundamental Goals of Sport Psychology

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 10, 2021

My notion of sport psychology has expanded beyond the field of play to encompass a more holistic approach.

My notion of sport psychology has expanded beyond the field of play to encompass a more holistic approach.

Burnout

How to Prevent and Relieve Endurance-Sport Burnout

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 4, 2021

Allowing yourself to go pedal to the metal for too long is a recipe for a malady that strikes the fear in the heart of every endurance-sport athlete: burnout

Allowing yourself to go pedal to the metal for too long is a recipe for a malady that strikes the fear in the heart of every endurance-sport athlete: burnout

Motivation

The Psychology of Endurance-Sport Technology

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on October 26, 2021

Technology and its impact on how athletes think and feel about their training and competitive efforts.

Technology and its impact on how athletes think and feel about their training and competitive efforts.

Trauma

Hit-and-Run, No Fun: Psychology of a Near-Death Bike Crash

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

Evidence-based steps can be taken to mitigate the negative emotional impact of a traumatic incident.

Evidence-based steps can be taken to mitigate the negative emotional impact of a traumatic incident.

Cognition

The Difference Between Reacting and Responding

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on October 5, 2021

Due to the complexities of life today, reacting with our amygdala rarely leads to positive outcomes. Instead, responses from our pre-frontal cortex are the best course of action.

Due to the complexities of life today, reacting with our amygdala rarely leads to positive outcomes. Instead, responses from our pre-frontal cortex are the best course of action.

Fear

Empty Your Emotional Chamber of Pain

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on September 21, 2021

Emptying your chamber of pain involves having the courage to open the chamber and allow the pain that you have kept inside of you to pour out.

Emptying your chamber of pain involves having the courage to open the chamber and allow the pain that you have kept inside of you to pour out.

Intelligence

What’s in Your Emotional Chamber of Pain?

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on September 7, 2021

At the heart of emotional baggage lies attempts to avoid the pain of the situation that led to the baggage whether from parents, peers, traumatic experiences, or popular culture.

At the heart of emotional baggage lies attempts to avoid the pain of the situation that led to the baggage whether from parents, peers, traumatic experiences, or popular culture.

Health

3 Essential Human Freedoms

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on August 23, 2021

Freedom has become a source of significant friction and outright hostility among the disparate ideologies that dominate our strangely tribal identities.

Freedom has become a source of significant friction and outright hostility among the disparate ideologies that dominate our strangely tribal identities.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Results Aren’t the Only Measure of Success in Sports This Year

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on March 3, 2021

During this COVID-dominated year, a singular obsession with results can blind you to other criteria of success that demonstrate real progress.

During this COVID-dominated year, a singular obsession with results can blind you to other criteria of success that demonstrate real progress.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How COVID-19 Is Disrupting Athletes' Focus

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on February 3, 2021

Of all the mental challenges presenting themselves to athletes during this COVID sports season, focus may be the area that has been most impacted.

Of all the mental challenges presenting themselves to athletes during this COVID sports season, focus may be the area that has been most impacted.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Is Covid-19 Causing an Epidemic of Sports Injuries?

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on January 26, 2021

Has there been an increase in sports injuries since the Covid-19 epidemic struck a year ago?

Has there been an increase in sports injuries since the Covid-19 epidemic struck a year ago?

A growing number of professional athletes are coming forward with their own mental health challenges, hoping to encourage others to seek help.

Confidence

Inside the Tri-Mind: Confidence Is Key to Race-Day Success

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 30, 2020

I define confidence as how strongly you believe in your ability to perform your best and achieve your triathlon goals.

I define confidence as how strongly you believe in your ability to perform your best and achieve your triathlon goals.

Sport and Competition

Change Your Perceptions to Become a More Successful Athlete

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 24, 2020

Perceptions can be superpowered, both in athletic performance and in life.

Perceptions can be superpowered, both in athletic performance and in life.

Motivation

Inside the Tri-Mind: Mental Assessment for Triathlon

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on September 2, 2020

By taking the Mental Performance Assessment (MPA), you can make your triathlon-related mental capabilities as concrete and objective as possible.

By taking the Mental Performance Assessment (MPA), you can make your triathlon-related mental capabilities as concrete and objective as possible.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Can America Weather the Perfect Storm of 2020?

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on August 24, 2020

America has found a way to weather some dramatic and traumatic storms in its 244-year history. But have we ever faced such a “perfect storm” as we are facing in 2020?

America has found a way to weather some dramatic and traumatic storms in its 244-year history. But have we ever faced such a “perfect storm” as we are facing in 2020?

Happiness

5 Levels of Happiness: In Search of the “Real” Thing

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on August 11, 2020

Is there anything that we devote more time, effort, and money to than attempting to capture that elusive goal, yet with such futility and poor results.

Is there anything that we devote more time, effort, and money to than attempting to capture that elusive goal, yet with such futility and poor results.