The Performance Formula

“Visualization works if you work hard. That’s the thing. You can’t just visualize and go eat a sandwich.” -Jim Carrey

Timothy Gallwey, author of The Inner Game Of Tennis, has a nifty formula to measure performance. It’s as follows:

P = P – I

Performance = Potential minus Interference.

There are two ways to boost your performance.

(1) Increase your potential. You do this largely through gaining experience. Training, Learning, and most importantly, DOING. Call this The Outer Game.

(2) Decrease your interference. This has to with our mind. THINKING. Eliminating (or at the very least, being aware of) our fears, doubts, assumptions and self-limiting beliefs. This is The Inner Game.

Most people spend all their time on the outer game and no time on the inner. But as you can see from the equation, each game is worth 50 percent. So it makes sense to spend just as much time on the inner. If you’re working hard but not getting the results you want, perhaps give some focus to your inner game. See if that does the trick.

When you’re giving equal attention to both games and they’re working hand in hand with one another, that’s when your performance will really soar.