Not a Prediction, Just Part of the Process
Though physical fatigue, self-doubt, and the fear of uncertainty try to dictate what is possible, just show up.
photo by tony retundoHistory doesn't repeat itself; it instructs.
How we feel doesn’t automatically dictate our performance. When the pressure builds up and the body feels heavy, when fatigue takes over during a warmup, it's easy for the mind to flag it as a sign that we can't give our all. But history often proves otherwise: we have performed through discomfort before, and nerves have successfully overridden fatigue when it mattered most.
The danger lies in acknowledging that heavy feeling and letting it guide our next actions. When we focus on the weight, it becomes added weight. The legs feel heavier, success feels far away, and technique suffers under the pressure. I have been first hand to that so recently yeasterday in my semifinals match.
So what now? We can feel those things and recognize that they have nothing to do with future capability. It's simply part of the process of performing at a high level. The body feels the impact, the nervous system registers the constant ups and downs, and the brain facing the uncertainty and the threat of our biggest dreams tries to create protective stories to find anchor. But is it helpful? Often, it takes us right out of the present moment of just showing up for ourselves. Again, I was just there.
The shift comes from honesty, making light of those racing thoughts, and redirecting back to the present. The brain wants to use discomfort to predict the future, and nerves tempt us to compare ourselves to others for a quick boost of confidence or find solace in the easiest route. We feel pressure because we care so deeply about the outcome.
Ultimately, this is all just the body and mind trying to help us navigate uncertainty. It may not always be what we need, but it is a reminder of what we need to be aware of.
When the noise gets too loud, sometimes all it takes is a short pause, a familiar song on the radio reminding you not to worry about a thing, and the realization that you are ready to simply show up and do the work.