Do you feel like you are clear in your choices and commitments? How often have you been "undecided" about a task you were trying to accomplish such as hitting a tennis or golf ball or completing a project? Wouldn't it be great to be clear minded and committed in what you were doing?

It's amazing how often we confuse our own inner wiring by the conflicting messages we send it. What we need to understand is that performance, life itself is a series of paradox. If you don't begin to grasp the subtle powers of these paradox then overcoming them will be difficult.

Top performers have learned or are naturally skilled in de-confusing their inner wiring system by understanding that these paradox exist and that they are real.

Here are 4 most common paradoxes and confusing messages we give ourselves when trying to perform our best.

1. BE AGGRESSIVE BUT DON'T TAKE CHANCES. This usually keeps us stuck while performing "on our heels". Part of us wants to be aggressive while another part of us keeps holding back and playing it TOO safe.

2. PLAY AT 100% EFFORT BUT DON'T TRY SO HARD! This is another way we confuse our inner wiring. Play hard but don't try so hard. Another paradox that says "play full out but don't try too hard".

3. "Don't let them see your emotions BUT play with passion" How can you do both? Not very well. Champions play with passion and you see it all the time. Your passion is your strength. Use it to propel you to direct your energy toward loving the challenge.

4. "Think, Think, Think, BUT Just play…stop thinking so much" Top performers realize that thinking and analyzing is important but also understand that NOT thinking is important too. When it's time to play, let your natural talents emerge without over analyzing. This is more of what the zone state is.

9 PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES THE TOP PERFORMERS USE:

1. Release the obsessive NEED to win or be acknowledged and you'll decrease physical tension while increasing focus, energy and intensity. Attachment to winning increases tension and anxiety. This need may drive us to say and do things that are unproductive. The paradox occurs because when you release the NEED you wind up performing better and the wins start coming!

2. When you are rigid (stuck, tying to control) become flexible When faced with obstacles the tendency is to resist and tighten up. We "trick" ourselves into thinking we need to do "more" and try even harder. This often creates more tension and anxiety. Top performers become flexible by relaxing and detaching to see what's really happening. Try new things, see new things and learn the lesson in each situation. Move WITH the situation instead of fighting against it and you'll perform better.

3. When you want to be faster, stronger and quicker, become more calm and relaxed. In other words, the paradox is slow down to move faster! This is the opposite of what most athletes do; they "try" harder and become more tight and more restricted in their movements when pushing for "more".. If you want more power, immediately become more calm and let the power (which is energy flowing) move from within you. Tighter muscles are not more powerful, they're actually less powerful.

4. TRYING creates tension and lack of fluidity. DOING reflects calm, trust and a natural rhythm. Trying to hit a golf ball is very difficult and leads to stiff and awkward movements. HITTING the golf ball relies on trust and natural rhythm. When you move from being the "tryer" to the "doer" you will have connected your body, mind and spirit in such a way that your swing becomes smooth and rhythmical.

5. Give FULLY of yourself and you will feel an inner satisfaction regardless of results. Holding back, staying reserved and playing "not to lose" will never get you to the place where you're free to play your best. Champions understand they have to give fully of themselves to the game or the process. There is no worse feeling than knowing you didn't give all you have. Don't cheat yourself of the opportunity to express ALL of your talents (whatever level you are) by allowing distractions, negative thinking, anger, blame, judgment, etc. to interfere with your performance.

6. Your opponent is YOUR BEST TEACHER! Take notice of the lesson! Is your best teacher your coach? No. Your competition is providing you with all the information you ever needed. They are the mirror reflection of how you're doing in real performance time. Your competition is ALWAYS revealing something about you; how you're handling situations, what you're focusing on, what you need to improve your own game and much more! Top performers know this and use this valuable information to improve themselves.

7. Less is more This is the paradox of the zone state. Did you ever notice how easy things are when in the zone state? Less is more means that overdoing, overtrying and overcontrolling are NOT the means by which you perform your best.

8. What you resist persists The more you struggle with yourself and your game the more the struggle becomes your reality! When you fight with yourself or resist the reality of a situation you literally prolong the experience because as long as your resisti ng it, your entire focus is on it rather than creating a solution to it. Adopt the mindset of nonresistance.

9. When you accept defeat you are free to play full out Many people have a hard time with this one but it's one of the most important paradoxes around. If you struggle to "hold on and avoid losing or playing poorly" you're not playing free and full out. Champions fully accept that losing or poor performances are PART of the process…and here's where the paradox comes in. This doesn't mean they look forward to or plan on losing…it means they aren't afraid of it! The more you accept this reality, the more you are free to play full out and express your full talents!

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David Breslow-- Performance Success Strategies 847.681.1698 urwiredtowin@aol.com David offers a unique "root cause" approach that teaches athletes to create new outcomes rather than coping with old ineffective patterns. He's worked with athletes locally, nationally and internationally using his Wired To Win program that players can take part no mater where they live or play. He also offers an on-line assessment in that measures your strengths and development areas in 10 key and critical performance traits. Contact David for more information .