Five key mental performance skills that Dr. Naser teaches professional athletes, emphasizing the importance of sleep, mindset, preparation, joy, and self-talk in optimizing performance. These skills are applicable to athletes of all levels and sports, and are rooted in behavior analysis and science.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mental Performance in Sport
• 01:57 The Relationship Between Overt and Covert Behaviors
• 03:20 The Importance of Sleep for Performance
• 04:15 The Mindset of Being Hard to Beat
• 06:31 The Power of Joy and Love for the Sport
• 15:32 The Relationship Between Self-Talk and Performance

Takeaways

• Sleep is a critical and underrated performance enhancer for athletes.
• Maintaining joy and love for the sport is essential for high performance.

Disclaimer: Behavior of Sport™ (podcast, newsletter, YouTube, and social content) is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, behavioral health, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No provider-client, therapist-client, or other professional relationship is created by viewing, subscribing to, or engaging with this content; such a relationship exists only under a signed written agreement. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own health, performance, or professional decisions, and do not delay seeking advice because of anything discussed here. Guests appear in their personal capacity only. Their participation does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship by any organization they are or have been associated with, and does not mean they are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser or Alicia Naser LLC. All views expressed are the speakers' own, for discussion purposes only, and are not official positions or performance guidance for any athlete, coach, or team. Behavior of Sport™ is produced by Alicia Naser LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All content is the property of Alicia Naser LLC and protected under copyright law; reproduction or distribution requires written consent.