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Performance Excellence Consulting
What is performance excellence consulting?
Performance excellence consultation is an individual consult or ongoing individual relationship between an athlete and a professional trained in sport psychology that is designed to teach various performance enhancement skills and techniques. Depending on the athlete's needs and interests, an appropriate skill progression can be designed to maximize skill development and to help the athlete meet his or her individual goals.
Why is sport psychology and mental skills training important?
The mind has the power to either enhance or hurt athletic performance. No matter how hard or how well an individual trains, the mind is always along for the ride. Most people neglect or forget about the mental component until negative thoughts, self doubt or anxiety becomes a problem in competitive settings. Understanding how one's own mind impacts his or her performance and learning to control and flex these 'mental muscles' will help the athlete reduce such problems. Furthermore, working on skills such as concentration, goal setting, and energy management will not only help enhance personal performance at race time, but will also help the athlete get more out of routine training as well.
What is a mental skills assessment?
Mental skills assessment is the evaluation of the mental skills related to performance through the completion of basic skill assessment surveys and interviews. Important skills for peak performance have been identified through in-depth studies of Olympic and elite level athletes around the world in a variety of sports. The performance skills assessment is designed to enhance self awareness and provide the athlete with an insight into his or her personal mental strengths and areas where he or she can improve.
Common areas that are a part of mental skills training.
- Stress and anxiety management
- Arousal control
- Relaxation and imagery training
- Time management/ life- sport balance
- Self-talk
- Goal setting
- Concentration enhancement and distraction control
- Self-confidence and self esteem work
- Training adherence/ motivation
- Staleness and burnout prevention
- Mental preparation and performance planning
- Communication
- Coaching education and enhancement
- Positive sport parenting education
- Sport psychology education
- Individual and team performance evaluation review
- Coach and parent education
- Team unity/ team building
The key objectives of performance excellence consulting and mental skills training:
- To enhance self-awareness of skills, strengths, and weaknesses in the pursuit of personal performance excellence.
- To educate athletes about the importance of mental skills training for peak personal performance.
- To teach specific mental skills drills, exercises, and activities designed to enhancing imagery, confidence, concentration/focus, motivation, group cohesion, stress management, positive self-talk, and arousal/activation control.
- To teach general guidelines for integrating and using mental skills training in practice, competition, and in other life areas.
- To assist individuals in maximizing the use of mental skills in the appropriate settings in order to (1) enhance enjoyment; (2) facilitate improved performance; and (3) successfully transfer skills learned from practice to application.
 Kristen's goal is to provide athletes, coaches, and teams with the tools and support necessary to enhance personal growth, talent development, teamwork, and ultimately to help individuals in their quest to achieve personal performance excellence. As a performance enhancement consultant, Kristen uses a cognitive-behavioral approach. This means that the approach and techniques utilized are based on the belief that individual behavior is influenced by both environmental and personal psychological factors. By learning new cognitive strategies, performance enhancement skills, and new ways to interpret and understand the surroundings, athletes can positively change how he or she perceives, approaches, and handles the environment, interactions with others, and performance. Prior to the start of any consulting situation, the role of the consultant will be clearly defined and the consultation process will be clearly defined.
Clients will have an opportunity to ask the consultant questions prior to beginning a working relationship. Please keep in mind that performance excellence consulting and skills assessment are designed to enhance personal development, individual enrichment, and performance enhancement. Kristen is not a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist, her expertise and training is in performance excellence in a sport performance environment. Performance excellence consulting is not designed or intended to assist in team selection, recruitment, or hiring decisions, nor will it be conducted for these purposes. Moreover, it does not replace counseling services for life issues such as eating disorders, depression, or anger management. Kristen will be happy to help athletes seeking or needing these services connect with the appropriate providers. Finally, in situations where a clinical psychologist is needed, Kristen is willing to work as a part of a team with other professionals in the process of helping an athlete.
Performance Excellence Services.
Performance Excellence Consulting Services can be provided:
- In Person
- On Site
- Through the web
- Via phone consultation
** Note travel expenses may apply to in person and on site consultation depending on location.
Please keep in mind that performance excellence consulting and skills assessment are designed to enhance personal development, individual enrichment, and performance enhancement. Clients will have an opportunity to ask the consultant questions prior to beginning a working relationship in order to ensure they understand the nature and process of Performance Excellence Consulting.
Kristen is not a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist, her expertise and training is in performance excellence in a sport performance environment. Performance excellence consulting is not designed or intended to assist in team selection, recruitment, or hiring decisions, nor will it be conducted for these purposes.
Moreover, it does not replace counseling services for life issues such as eating disorders, depression, or anger management. Kristen will be happy to help athletes seeking or needing these services connect with the appropriate providers. Finally, in situations where a clinical psychologist is needed, Kristen is willing to work as a part of a team with other professionals in the process of helping an athlete.
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