Course Overview

Tackle life’s challenges and carry your dreams to the goal line with insights from the science of performance psychology. This course, led by clinical sport psychologist Dr. Eddie O’Connor, provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological factors that influence performance across various fields, from sports to the arts and beyond.

With 24 engaging lectures, you will learn how to maximize your potential through understanding motivation, mindfulness, and the importance of practice. Dr. O’Connor will guide you through myths and truths in performance psychology, empowering you to make informed decisions that can lead to significant personal growth.

Course Lessons

1. Sport and Performance Psychology

Gain an introduction to the field of sport psychology and understand its application in enhancing performance and overall well-being.

Duration: 32 min

2. Deliberate Practice: Essential for Experts

Explore the concept of deliberate practice and discover how focused attention on practice can lead to expertise.

Duration: 30 min

3. How Values and Goals Drive Performance

Learn how identifying your personal values and goals can enhance motivation and guide you in achieving peak performance.

Duration: 27 min

4. The Benefits of Mindfulness in Performance

Understand the role of mindfulness meditation in enhancing focus and performance in high-pressure situations.

Duration: 33 min

5. When Positive Thinking Doesn’t Work

Examine the limits of positive thinking and the effectiveness of cognitive defusion techniques in managing thoughts about performance.

Duration: 29 min

6. Acceptance and the Willingness to Feel

Discover the importance of accepting a full range of emotions to improve focus and performance in any endeavor.

Duration: 34 min

7. Commitment Means “No Matter What”

Understand the significance of commitment to behaviors that lead to success in various performance domains.

Duration: 30 min

8. Finding Internal Motivation

Explore self-determination theory and how it influences motivation and behavior in athletes and performers.

Duration: 28 min

9. Using Imagery to Prepare for Action

Learn how visualization techniques can enhance performance by stimulating the brain and body through mental rehearsal.

Duration: 30 min

10. Confidence and Self-Talk

Understand the impact of self-efficacy and how positive self-talk can contribute to reaching performance goals.

Duration: 30 min

11. Developing Focused Attention

Discover techniques to improve concentration and the common pitfalls that hinder effective focusing.

Duration: 29 min

12. Superstitions, Rituals, and Routines

Distinguish between helpful routines and unproductive superstitions in the context of athletic performance.

Duration: 29 min

13. Peak Performance: Getting in the Zone

Learn strategies to help you achieve a state of flow for optimal performance in various activities.

Duration: 33 min

14. Performance Anxiety and Choking

Understand strategies for managing performance anxiety and preventing choking under pressure.

Duration: 33 min

15. Being the Perfect Perfectionist

Examine the paradox of perfectionism and how to harness its positive traits while mitigating its negative effects.

Duration: 32 min

16. Self-Compassion for Self-Improvement

Explore the role of self-compassion in enhancing performance and emotional resilience.

Duration: 31 min

17. Burnout and the Need for Recovery

Discuss the symptoms and prevention strategies for burnout in high-performance fields.

Duration: 32 min

18. Pain Tolerance and Injury Rehabilitation

Explore how psychological factors influence pain perception and recovery during rehabilitation.

Duration: 30 min

19. The Dangerous Pursuit of the Ideal Body

Investigate societal pressures regarding body image and their impact on health and performance.

Duration: 32 min

20. Fan Psychology, Identification, and Violence

Understand the social dynamics of fandom and how it can influence fan behavior and emotional health.

Duration: 30 min

21. Four Qualities of a Successful Team

Learn about the essential elements that foster teamwork and how to apply them in various settings.

Duration: 31 min

22. Talent: A Developmental Process

Examine the developmental pathways for nurturing talent in sports and performance arts.

Duration: 30 min

23. How to Be a Great Sport Parent

Discover effective strategies for supporting your child’s athletic endeavors without hindering their development.

Duration: 30 min

24. Aging Athletes: Competing and Retiring

Learn how to maintain physical health and performance as you age, and the importance of planning for retirement from sports.

Duration: 33 min