How Can You Turn Tension into Triumph? Thriving Under Pressure with Dr. Dana Sinclair.

It's an Inside Job

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Dana Sinclair, a renowned performance psychologist and the author of "Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most." Dr. Sinclair, with 20 years of experience, provided insights on resilience and strategies for handling pressure. We discussed using "smart talk"—positive self-talk and facts—to overcome self-criticism and doubt in stressful situations.
Dr. Sinclair highlighted the importance of acknowledging achievements for self-confidence, self-awareness, and reframing narratives to boost performance. She discussed using past experiences for growth and introduced techniques for countering negative self-talk, employing performance cues, and using breathing exercises for focus and calm. Additionally, she emphasized structured self-assessment after performances to identify strengths and areas for improvement, offering practical advice for optimizing performance and resilience.
Contact
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dana-sinclair-47a82811/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdanasinclair/?hl=en
Website: https://www.drdanasinclair.com/
Publication: Dialed In: Do Your Best When it Matters Most
Bio
Dr. Dana Sinclair is a distinguished psychologist with doctorates from the University of Cambridge and the University of Ottawa, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia. A member of the American Psychological Association, she specializes in performance psychology, working with professional athletes and teams across major leagues and the Olympics, as well as surgeons, students, executives, and artists. Dr. Sinclair applies advanced psychological strategies to enhance performance and resilience in diverse fields.

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章

1. Introduction to It's an Inside Job podcast (00:00:08)

2. Dr. Sinclair's Daunting Endeavor (00:06:16)

3. Unpacking Self-Talk and Smart Talk (00:25:12)

4. Insights on Performance Challenges and Solutions (00:31:24)

5. Performance Cues and Success in the Moment (00:37:23)

6. Self-Evaluation in Post-Performance Analysis (00:37:28)

7. Role of Visualization and Mental Rehearsal (00:56:07)

8. Habitual Practices for Performance Preparation (01:00:20)

9. Unexpected Pressure Moments and Preparation (01:02:27)

10. Insights on Performance Psychology and Self-Improvement (01:08:11)