The Edge: Peak Performance Psychology

Psychology

Saying Good-bye

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on March 11, 2021

A short blog post to say adieu to my readers.

A short blog post to say adieu to my readers.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

New Year's Resolutions: The COVID-19 Edge

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on December 11, 2020

Like all of us, athletes need to think through their plans for 2021 in light of all that has happened during 2020 and the remaining uncertainties we face.

Like all of us, athletes need to think through their plans for 2021 in light of all that has happened during 2020 and the remaining uncertainties we face.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Creating a Lemonade Edge

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on September 13, 2020

Three sports and performance psychology colleagues share how they've created "lemonade" out of the various lemons we've all been coping with.

Three sports and performance psychology colleagues share how they've created "lemonade" out of the various lemons we've all been coping with.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Edge of Chaos

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on July 13, 2020

Through the eyes of an aspiring dancer, we can appreciate the impact of the two major upheavals we are all experiencing, COVID-19 and endemic racism.

Through the eyes of an aspiring dancer, we can appreciate the impact of the two major upheavals we are all experiencing, COVID-19 and endemic racism.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Edges of COVID-19

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on May 13, 2020

As our common humanity reckons with major change, our thoughts, feelings, and behavior are both predictable and not.

As our common humanity reckons with major change, our thoughts, feelings, and behavior are both predictable and not.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Just Look More Deeply... With Some COVID-19 Applications

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

Sport psychology techniques can be oversimplified or misinterpreted. Here's what to pay attention to, along with some applications to life in the midst of rapid change.

Sport psychology techniques can be oversimplified or misinterpreted. Here's what to pay attention to, along with some applications to life in the midst of rapid change.

Attention

The Edge of Time

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on January 13, 2020

Where and how we focus on time—whether past, present, or future—affects our performance. And more broadly, our life span, happiness, and productivity.

Where and how we focus on time—whether past, present, or future—affects our performance. And more broadly, our life span, happiness, and productivity.

Ethics and Morality

On Becoming a Performance Consultant

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on November 13, 2019

Becoming and being a performance consultant involves both academic/research knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as learning-by-doing, all within an ethical framework.

Becoming and being a performance consultant involves both academic/research knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as learning-by-doing, all within an ethical framework.

Stage Fright

Yip...e...e...e

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on September 13, 2019

Yips, focal dystonia, stage fright. Same stuff/different performance areas? I've recently enjoyed a few (readable!) books in this area.

Yips, focal dystonia, stage fright. Same stuff/different performance areas? I've recently enjoyed a few (readable!) books in this area.

Sport and Competition

Soakers and Hard-shells

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on July 13, 2019

Interesting terminology highlights the different roles that team members contribute to the whole.

Interesting terminology highlights the different roles that team members contribute to the whole.

Cognitive Dissonance

Becoming #Educated

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on May 13, 2019

How do you spot and resolve conflicting stories of reality in your family, community, or society? A number of theories help lay out the parameters.

How do you spot and resolve conflicting stories of reality in your family, community, or society? A number of theories help lay out the parameters.

Coaching

Behind the Scenes

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on March 13, 2019

Who coaches the coaches? Mental performance consultants also benefit from their own support and training.

Who coaches the coaches? Mental performance consultants also benefit from their own support and training.

Motivation

To Make an End Is to Make a Beginning

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on January 13, 2019

The choice to perform is an active process. At times, we need to revisit and re-examine our choices.

The choice to perform is an active process. At times, we need to revisit and re-examine our choices.

Motivation

Beware the Absolutes!

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on November 13, 2018

Sometimes our basic mental performance techniques—positive thoughts, goal setting, imagery, tension management, and self-talk—need adjusting.

Sometimes our basic mental performance techniques—positive thoughts, goal setting, imagery, tension management, and self-talk—need adjusting.

Relationships

Between Selves

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on September 13, 2018

Letting go of who we've been and exploring who we might become is an arduous process. Recognizing that in between space can ease the challenge.

Letting go of who we've been and exploring who we might become is an arduous process. Recognizing that in between space can ease the challenge.

Attention

The A-B-C Edge

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on July 13, 2018

When you're performing, a simple acronym—A-B-C—[Awareness, Breath, Concentration] can help you focus or re-focus on the task at hand.

When you're performing, a simple acronym—A-B-C—[Awareness, Breath, Concentration] can help you focus or re-focus on the task at hand.

Gratitude

The Long Long Distance Edge - Part 2

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on May 13, 2018

When life-threatening illness means months, if not years, to recovery, mental skills for optimal performance can be adapted to support that process.

When life-threatening illness means months, if not years, to recovery, mental skills for optimal performance can be adapted to support that process.

Gratitude

The Long Long Distance Edge - Part 1

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on March 13, 2018

Mental skills techniques are used in one-off, specific events. Longer term performance can also be informed by these methods--and may in turn help with "traditional" performance.

Mental skills techniques are used in one-off, specific events. Longer term performance can also be informed by these methods--and may in turn help with "traditional" performance.

Positive Psychology

Yes, And...

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on January 13, 2018

The rule of improvisational theater is that you accept whatever your partner throws at you and move on from there. "Yes, and" applies to everyday life, too.

The rule of improvisational theater is that you accept whatever your partner throws at you and move on from there. "Yes, and" applies to everyday life, too.

Relationships

#MeToo: The Torrent Continues

Kate F. Hays Ph.D. on November 13, 2017

Another voice is added to the heartfelt chorus: women who have experienced inappropriate, unwanted sexual advances. We must keep speaking out.

Another voice is added to the heartfelt chorus: women who have experienced inappropriate, unwanted sexual advances. We must keep speaking out.