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Extensive research has shown that too
much worrying or excessive anxiety disrupts attentional functioning.
For this reason much of the variance in performance has been ascribed
to the effects of heightened levels of anticipatory anxiety.
In elite competition quality performance
is characterized by efficient attentional functioning, involving very
little conscious effort. This "optimum" state where a complex task is
done without conscious thought is often referred to as being "in the
zone". Conversely, less skilled or poor performance is related to
inefficient utilisation of attentional activity typified by more
effortful and conscious processing. Within sports, for instance, this
often results in distortions of muscle sequencing prior to and during
motor execution. Similarly, the content, quality and fluidity of a
business leader's speech to a large audience is strongly influenced by
the person's availability of mental resources.
Neurofeedback improves mental resources
to enhance concentration, attention and alertness. By improving these
mental functions, individuals may minimise the attention altering
effects of anxiety and increase the critical psychological construct of
self-confidence.
How does neurofeedback contribute to peak performance?
Research has shown that neurofeedback
training can improve:
• creativity
• ability to cope with a high workload and thereby reduce the
likelihood of workload burnout during competitive situations
• capacity to brainstorm solutions to problems (mental fluidity)
• attention, concentration and memory performance
• decision making and reduce errors
Who can take advantage of neurofeedback peak performance training?
Several Fortune 500 companies (e.g.
Hillenbrand) have started to use neurofeedback peak performance
training as part of their leadership development program. This is
largely due to the recognition that today's business environment has
led to:
• Overload, stress and diminished
performance from relentless productivity demands.
• Eroded confidence and self-esteem created by rapidly changing skill
requirements and job assignments.
• Increased demand for personal responsibility and accountability
arising from empowerment and emphasis on teams.
• Uncertainty about the balance in work and life because of the
transformation of work through technology.
• Blurred vision, purpose and direction stemming from discontinuous
change.
Thus, if today's leaders want to be
successful in their lead of others they need to be able to handle the
additional stress of being a leader. Firstly, they need to become more
aware of their stress responses. Then they can work to achieve a level
of self-mastery, which will enable them to remain focused in the face
of adversity.
Our neurofeedback peak performance
training will help leaders/managers and expert performers to achieve
this self-mastery by training them to:
1. Clarify and commit to a self-chosen
goal.
2. Quickly achieve an inner state of calmness and peace in stressful
situations.
3. Develop an internal sense of control.
4. Cultivate a sense of optimism.
Physiological, behavioural and
subjective recordings before, during and after neurofeedback training
will scientifically document evidence of personal mastery in these
areas. Thus, through neurofeedback training, business leaders, athletes
and expert performers will derive the benefits of reduced stress,
improved cognitive skills (e.g. IQ, memory, attention), emotional
fluency, work performance, productivity, and healthy well-being, and we
can document all of this scientifically.
A course of neurofeedback peak
performance training lasts approximately 10-15 sessions, but this is
only a guide as requirements for each individual differ.
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