If your clients or athletes are not getting results it’s because of this one major mistake.
They spend way too much time getting stuck on the event.
The number one mistake that I see coaches allow their athletes to make that sabotages their performance is not getting past the event. They have to understand that in performance there’s things you can control and things that you can’t control. And this simple equation is life changing.
Event + Response = Outcome
This simple yet transformative equation is the key to unlocking immediate and sustained results. By mastering the way they respond to events, your clients and athletes can give themselves the best chance to influence they outcomes by living in the present moment.
You’ve heard that yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery. Today’s a gift; that’s why we call it the present.
The biggest mistake I see athletes make is getting stuck on events—whether it’s a win, a loss, an injury, or even personal setbacks like a breakup—these are all events. What truly matters is how they choose to respond in the face of these challenges.
How are you going to respond to that adversity? That’s where we have to get.
We have to move past the events that have happened into what our response is because it’s that response that we intentionally choose, that we coach our clients through. That’s going to impact the outcome.
E (Event) + R (Response) = O (Outcome)
Look at the events that are happening to your clients. How much time do you hear them whine, blame, or complain (or get defensive) on events that have already happened (in the past)?
Instead of looking at what’s my next best decision, the great Harvey Dorfman, a mental performance coach, a mentor of mine said,
“There’s only three steps that clients should be using to reflect: What was I trying to do? What happened? What’s my next best decision?”
So ask yourself and your clients those 3 questions.
- What was I trying to do?
- What happened?
- What’s my next best decision that’s going to allow me to move forward from the event?
Remember, as soon as the event happens it’s over—it’s history.
What matters most now is your next move.
Whether it’s the next play or the next decision, focus on what you can control: your response. That is what mentally tough athletes do.
Only Two Types of Responses
Urban Meyer, in his book Above The Line, says there are only two types of Rs (responses):
- Above the Line
- Below the Line
Winning behavior is intentional, on purpose, and skillful. It is Above the Line.
But it’s easier to be impulsive, on autopilot, and resistant. That is Below the Line. Below the Line is dangerous because it is comfortable and convenient. It is the path of least resistance. Below the Line takes little effort or skill, and the best you can produce is ‘mediocre’.
If you’re a coach, using the concept of Above the Line and Below the Line is an effective way for you to help your athletes/clients understand and apply the R in the E+R=O equation.
So when you introduce this framework, you can illustrate how an “Above the Line” response—one that is thoughtful, intentional, and focused on solutions—can positively influence outcomes. Conversely, a “Below the Line” response, which is reactive, emotional, or blame-focused, often leads to negative outcomes.
By consistently discussing this concept your clients/athletes are developing self-awareness and are empowered to choose responses that align with their goals.
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