The Holy Triangle of Mastery

I love sports. My father used to say that everything about life can be learned on the ball field—in my experience, this is true only if you have someone to help you transfer the skills. A bad coach can ruin your self-esteem. A great coach can inspire you forever.

So, what are the elements every great athlete has mastered, that elevate both business and quality of life?

I call them “The Holy Triangle”—when all three sides work simultaneously, you have a winning combination

The first point of the triangle is purely technical. Like a tennis player practices their grip, forehand, backhand, overhead, serve, slice, volley and so on, a CEO is tirelessly self-educated; knowledge and experience make them an expert.

The second point of the triangle is tactical—the strategy. The tennis player learns to recognize their opponent’s weaknesses, where to place the ball, making quick corrections during a match.

A CEO distinguishes themselves from their competitors by deciding where to expend funds, who to hire, how to delegate, and how to manage projects to bring in the greatest return for the company’s continued growth.

The third point of the triangle is the mental game—your psychological preparation.

In business and sports alike, when two opponents with an equal level of technical and tactical skills are competing, the one who has mastered their own mental game invariably wins. Many people invest significant time and resources into the first two points but fail to reach this third decisive element.

A bigger business requires a bigger self. As your business expands, it is necessary to expand your tolerance for emotional, psychological, and energetic growth. This is why I created a specially-tailored system called Mastery Under Pressure, where I delve into 5 categories that will enhance your mental performance. They are:

• Focus
• Relaxation
• Changing negative self-talk
• Creating powerful visualizations
• Transforming fear

Keep in mind the following:

1. Stress is a mind and body experience. The nervous system must be calm in order to experience a crystal-clear mind. You can begin by training your body to initiate the Relaxation Response. Create a practice for yourself that you can engage in, 10 minutes a day. Relaxing under pressure is key to thinking through it.
2. Take some time to identify the source of the stress. Is it self-imposed, created by unrealistic expectations? Is it coming from external pressures? Understanding the source of your stress can give you clues on how to alleviate it.
3. Avidly observe your thoughts. They are extremely powerful. Listen to how you speak to yourself; you will notice patterns of judgment you can break, to make your thinking more productive.

Keep in mind that mental training is just that—mental training. It requires time, intention, focus, and practice.

One-on-one coaching can make all the difference when it comes to mental training. It’s a vital opportunity to talk about goals and challenges out loud before facing them, ensuring that you’re fully prepared to achieve anticipatable professional and personal goals.

If you’re interested in one-on-one coaching, take the Mastery Under Pressure Quiz to learn more about how it can best support you. I will be in touch shortly after receiving your results. Also, feel free to contact me directly here.

Tina Greenbaum

Tina Greenbaum, LCSW is a High-Performance Specialist, Holistic Psychotherapist, Author, and International Speaker.She is the creator of the program Mastery Under Pressure, an executive coaching program that teaches Olympic-level mindset skills for peak performance in high-stakes and high-stress environments.