Afraid to Make a Mistake

Systems (e.g. education) focus all too often on mistakes in an attempt to erradicate these.  However, when there is a consistent focus on mistakes, this will stifle creativity, increase stress levels, and the fear of making mistakes.  

There is an obvious purpose in looking at how one can improve from mistakes, but this needs to be in balance with an appreciation of gains made and moments of creative brilliance.  When there is a balance, a sports or business person is less likely to fear making a mistake, is more likely to play to their strengths and is less afraid to take a risk.  

Too much emphasis on mistakes can cause players and employees to lose confidence in their ability, which presents as a dip in performance.  When this drop in performance levels presents itself, it is often the response of coaching staff and employers to focus more intently on mistakes made and the negative side of performances.  There is a huge risk here.  

People who begin to lose belief in themselves are likely to drop their heads during a game, and games that may have been won or even drawn are lost by narrow margins in sport.  The same can occur in the business setting.  To stop the rot requires a commitment by both coaching staff and players, employers and employees,  to pull together and raise their game by focussing on positive aspects of performance, and encouraging one another to achieve to the best of their ability.  

There is often a need for support from an outside professional to guide individuals out of the place they find themselves and move all personnel in the direction of believing in themselves and their abilities once more.  Transflow Proformance provides this service to sport and business groups.