Moments of Maximum Potential

The moment of maximum potential is when the skaters are lined up, just after the word “Set!” It is when the snowboarder or ski jumper first leaves the frozen surface to fly through the air. It is the moment just before the figure skater touches the ice again. It is the moment the puck leaves the hockey player’s stick on its way toward the goal.

I do not watch the Olympics to find out which athlete, or which country, earns the most medals. I do not watch to see the apparently unending personal profiles and stories.

I watch the Olympics to see people turn those moments of maximum potential into performance.

It is inspiring to watch people who have dedicated themselves to turning potential into performance. Many of them began practicing as small children, when all they understood about their sport was how it felt.

They are so fortunate. It is an amazing feeling to do something so well, to gain speed and confidence, that you can tap into that kind of potential. Who would not want to do that again and again?

That moment of maximum potential is one of deep relaxation, just before performance. Athletes often increase their potential by taking a deep breath, consciously relaxing their mind and body, by having visualized themselves doing their best in advance. Then, from that place of calm, the performance makes itself evident.

I am not a skater or a skier. My potential is different, as is my performance.

I am learning to follow their example. Relaxing into my performance, allowing what I do to be a reflection of who I am, is how I turn those moments of maximum potential into reality.

When are your moments of maximum potential?

How do you relax to prepare for your performance?

[Image by Hans Splinter]