World-class performance looks effortless or superhuman, but to achieve this, a sports person needs to execute the required skills to an optimal level. This requires the attainment of minimal thought-interference and physical exertion, the notion of ‘easy speed’, regardless of the technicality or the physicality of the sport, and the personal and situational pressure that might exist. This state of ‘relaxed concentration’ leaves the sports person with the perceptual ability and processing space required to be aware of new and potentially unexpected information, e.g., the spin on the ball, the presence of an opponent, or a call from a team-mate, and to make correspondingly quick, correct decisions. Further, it ensures that neither physical nor mental energies are unnecessarily wasted, allowing freer and faster movement or greater endurance.

Progression and maintenance of optimal performance also requires consistency, being as good as you can be, day in, day out, in both training and competition. This requires strong motivation, an excellent goal-setting strategy, and the resilience to persevere and bounce back after disappointment.

Regardless of your sporting level or aims, whether you are seeking to maximise your sporting ability, or to address a specific issue, L&M’s Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists will aim to gain an understanding of your needs and then help to develop personally appropriate strategies and routines. This might be to:

• Develop a winning mind-set with a strong self-belief and unshakeable confidence.
• Reduce thought-interference, particularly of negative or distracting thoughts, and to develop appropriate focus strategies.
• Understand and control arousal levels – Reducing nerves, becoming relaxed or invigorated.
• Develop effective motivational strategies and goals.
• Re-discover your sporting passion and enjoyment.
• Develop effective team and leadership skills, including communication and support.
• Help you through injury, and to make a successful return to sport / life without sport.

Today’s successful and aspiring sports person needs to cope with a myriad of demands from both within, and external to, their sporting world. The varied experiences of L&M’s consultants enable the provision of a broad range of support, but might include:

• Developing proactive, independent sports people, who reflect on and learn from their experiences, and take responsibility and ownership of their performance.
• Assisting with transitions and new experiences. This includes coping with the new demands, expectations, methods, subculture and lifestyle experienced when moving beyond the current level to a new team. Or alternatively, coping with injury, changes in personal circumstances, or preparing for athletic retirement.
• Developing the life skills and support network that enable athletes to negotiate and present themselves in a manner that meets the teams, sponsors and world’s expectations.

L&M can assist with the development of:

• A professional organisational culture, where the attitudes and behaviours that encourage optimal performance are the norm, and where the awareness and creativity that promote the adaptation required to gain the competitive advantage and continued success are encouraged. This is underpinned by L&M’s expertise in organisational and individual change management, communication, and positive psychological wellbeing. See more on L&M’s approach to organisational development.
• Effective leaders who possess the awareness to understand the complex requirements of relevant internal and external pressures, and the skills to enable the development of; a clear mission and strategy, effective two-way communication, and the confident and inspired team/organisation members required to promote an optimal performance culture. L&M recognise that effective leadership requires congruency throughout an individua’s values, words and actions, as such, each leader is facilitated in the development of his/her own unique leadership style. See more on L&M’s approach to approach to leader development.
• Cohesive and effective teams, be they of athletes or/and support staff, where team and individual needs are considered and appropriately balanced, and where the acceptance of individual responsibility and commitment to team goals and role performance are paramount. See more on L&M’s approach to team development.