IF YOU WANT TO PERFORM, STOP "PERFORMING"

 Performance is key to an ever-continuing growth of our might and prowess. However, in order to perform well we must first stop "performing".

In psychology, the idea of "performing" is to perform certain actions in order to fulfil a role rather than actually becoming someone who can fulfil that role. In other words, it is to play a particular role by knowing what to do rather than understanding why it is necessary to do the same.(If you didn't understand that, don't break your head over it. Read on)

For example, in relationships certain people tend to "perform" in order to impress their mate. They may be use pick-up lines, or memorize a set of jokes that they use over and over again, have a fixed list of fun conversation topics, or avoid calling too soon even when they really want to in order to appear 'not needy'. But truly they are putting on a show in order to gain some particular result. In this case, they are performing in order to impress their mate. 

But alas, the show cannot last very long. Eventually they would end up returning to their normal selves, where their mate would no longer find them engaging in fun conversations or cracking jokes in the right moment. They may call their mates up to a dozen times in a day because they may worry they are probably being ignored. Eventually their mate may get tired of their partner's "new" self and end up cutting them off.

Such people who "perform" tend to prioritize other people's perception of themselves rather than their own perception of themselves. 

The idea is to really become that healthy person who we are trying to "perform".

Only then will we be able to continue on our path of growth. People who "perform" are unable to improvise and lose touch with their creativity. 

The same goes with any other aspect of life. Even sports. You can only "perform" for so long. It is not possible to stay on it forever. Moreover, you may achieve the result you intended. But you will never find yourself feeling fulfilled.

-Authored by Rahul Dagliya, CEO at Ardour Sports Academy