The ability to be in the present moment and focus on that which we are able to control are essential attributes in the pursuit of sustainable high performance.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
Within the domain of high performance, it is widely recognized that the preferred mindset and perspective is to remain focused on the present moment, as well as on those factors which we are able to control. It is acknowledged that when we lose this focus, it is often the case that we are unable to perform to our fullest potential. This is on account of several factors. When we are not focused on the elements we can control it often becomes the case that we place blame or make excuses for our performance. In addition, we become preoccupied with factors that do not contribute towards our greatest ability to perform at our highest level.
It is beneficial to understand the reason and basis for the importance of focusing on the present moment and, in particular, those factors under our control. Within high performance domains, mindfulness practices and other forms of meditation are typically recommended to develop this capacity to be present. When we are present, we are typically more focused on those factors which we can control. In addition, a mindfulness practice and related meditation techniques are utilized to identify when we think about factors outside of our control and return our attention back to those elements which we do control. It is often noted that this perspective is strongly related to the understanding that when we focus on factors under our control that this is typically associated with being present and is only available within the present moment. It is useful to recognize that mindfulness practices develop the ability to recognize the subject of our attention, thereby providing us the opportunity to redirect our attention is we choose.
Within the framework of the Practices at the Healthcare Athlete, it is evident that when we are within anchored and grounded states a naturally emerging attribute is a greater ability to be focused on the present moment and the related capacity to focus on those elements which are directly within our control. It is also useful to consider that when we shift into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states it becomes progressively more difficult to remain focused on the present moment and on those factors which we control. Within these states, by nature of the protective and defensive traits which emerge, it is often the case that our attention will shift rapidly across different targets and we may look to make excuses for factors which we do not control or for performance that is not at our optimal level.
Within the domains of high performance, it is often considered that the ability to focus on the present moment and those elements which we control is a function and end result of psychological skills. This is correct when we are within anchored and grounded states. Within performance domains, it is often discussed that when we recognize that we have shifted away from our focus on the present moment and those factors which we control that we must redirect our focus and return to an emphasis on those elements which we control.
When we consider this scenario within the framework and principles of the Practices at the Healthcare Athlete, a different understanding emerges. It is often the case that when we have lost focus on the present moment or on those elements which we control that we cannot simply make a cognitive decision to shift back to and place our attention and focus on the present moment. This is the result of the neurophysiological shifts which occur in association with biological state shifts away from anchored and grounded states. The details of these processes have been discussed in past articles, in particular in the previous discussion of managing big moments.
As discussed above, a loss of ability to focus on the present moment, and those elements which we can control, is typically associated with a biological state shift into protective and defensive states. As noted, this is the direct result of the neurophysiological changes which occur within these states, as has been discussed in past articles. Ultimately the shift away from anchored and grounded states activates the amygdala leading to an alteration in our salience network towards a negativity bias, as well as a decrease in prefrontal cortical activity and executive functioning. In order to regain our ability to focus on the present moment and those elements which we can control, it is essential that we shift our biological state back towards anchored and grounded states. This shift leads to a return of prefrontal cortical activity and executive functioning. As discussed throughout this article series, in order to do this it is necessary that we first implement body-based skills prior to re-introducing psychological skills.
The above discussion emphasizes the understanding that in order to be in the present moment and ensure that we emphasize and focus upon those elements which we can control we must first ensure that we have regained anchored and grounded states. This recognition emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to ensure strong and durable anchored and grounded states as well as a flexible nervous system. By doing this, we increase the likelihood that we will remain in anchored and grounded states as much as possible and optimize our ability to shift back to these states when we experience the inevitable shifts into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. Such shifts are particularly unavoidable given the nature of high demand situations inherent within the pursuit of sustainable high performance.
Another important acknowledgment from the above discussion is that when we recognize that we are not focused on the present moment or are emphasizing factors which are outside of our control this is an indicator that we have shifted away from anchored and grounded states. We can then use this information to implement body-based skills and tactics to shift back towards anchored and grounded states. This allows us to resume a focus on the present moment and emphasize those factors which are under our control. In addition, by shifting back towards these states we will also regain the preferred biological state for optimizing our performance.
While the above discussion has focused predominantly within the domain of sustainable high performance, it is important to recognize that a similar scenario exists within the pursuit of health and wellbeing. When we lose focus on the present moment and those factors which we control, the inherent biological state shifts often lead to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and shutdown. These are not conducive to improving or optimizing health and wellbeing. In order to enhance our ability to pursue health and wellbeing, it is important, therefore, that we remain within anchored and grounded states to the greatest degree possible. As discussed in past articles, it is only within these states that we are able to recover, restore resources, and return to homeostasis, which are all essential for overall health and wellbeing.
As can be appreciated from the above discussion, the ability to remain focused on the present moment and those elements which are under our control is essential in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. The framework provided by the Practices at the Healthcare Athlete, provides actionable strategies in order to assist our ability to accomplish this focus. The utilization of body-based skills is essential when we have lost focus on the present moment or on elements which are under our control.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.