Recently I have taken up the habit of reading roughly, a book a week. I am at my 9th book and it has been an eyeopening experience so far. Here is one inspiring lesson I have noted, by The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallway.
While the book discusses about tennis, the lessons Tim transpired could be applied in my everyday life.
Ever felt that, ‘I do better in practice than in real life.’, ‘ I could do this at home but not in front of my supervisor!’. Meanwhile, when you are ‘in the zone’, everything works out perfectly, and it seemed to be an unconscious effort.
As a high achiever, I give myself an insurmountable stress. The idea of clinical educator supervision terrifies me. Subsequently, judgements like ‘How can you forget this?’ ‘You are terrible in this!’ live in my head 24/7.
I vividly recall times where I was too focused on the areas I need to perfect on, such that it resulted in my rigid and tightened performance. I could not be myself. I felt like a robot. My brain was on high alert at all times.
‘Have you checked the patient’s dentures?’, ‘Now set up the bed to 90 degrees.’, ‘Number 2, check jaw strength.’
To liberate your mind into the zone, Timothy suggests 3 core steps.
Observe without judgement
In our minds live 2 version of us. The first is self 1, second is self 2. Self 1 loves judging. It nags, it nudges, it complains, it criticises everything you do. ‘Why can’t you remember this!’, ‘I am supposed to know this, ‘You did so well.’.
Subsequently, there is self 2, the doer. It does whatever you are capable of doing. It takes up a task and does it.
While Self 1 and 2 work along with other, they are not always in agreement. Self 2 works while self 1 judges self 2. Gradually, self 2 becomes deterred by the negative comments and hence does it in a forced, controlled manner. self 2 is over powered by self 1.
Whether things turn appallingly or impeccably, keep going. Remove any judgements, expectations or standards you have. That way, we liberate self 2.
Think about the time when you learn to crawl, walk, speak. We do not think, ‘Why did you fall, you useless.’, instead we keep going, until we become naturally good at it. Self 1 is at rest. Self 2 dominates.
Trust self 2
For self 2 to truly shine, self 1 has to trust self 2. To do this, observe moments where self 1 is trying to sneak in and take control. Relax and mindfully put self 1 at rest. Self 2 can do it.
Some may argue that we are simply ignoring our weaklings by doing this. Self 2 can subconsciously absorb new information and apply them next time, only if you allow it to, by trust.
Joyce Lau
