Talent Wins Moment, Calmness Wins Games

In the world of sports, elite talent often create unforgettable moments. However, when an elite athlete delivers an unforgettable performance with calmness and confidence, this then turns into an unforgettable game. Whether an athlete is the franchise player, a starter, or coming off the bench, composure is the rare trait that makes the difference between flashes of potential and sustained excellence. 

Jared Goff, quarterback of the Detroit Lions, is a good example of calmness. This past NFL season, Goff led the Detroit Lions to their first NFC Championship appearance in over 30 years, not with flash, but with poise. Many critics questioned whether he could lead a team deep into the postseason, and he answered with calm decision-making, poise execution, and unshakeable confidence despite falling short of going to the Super Bowl. C.J. Stroud, the quarterback of the Houston Texans, also impresses not just with his talent, but with his emotional steadiness. As a second-year quarterback, Stroud has emotional maturity beyond his years to lead his team to several game winning drives with his calmness. These are just two examples of athletes with an EQuanimous Mindset.

An EQuanimous Mindset is a mindset that give athletes the ability to remain composed, self-aware, and grounded when the moment gets intense. Research show that athletes with strong emotional regulation are more likely to access flow states, respond effectively to setbacks, and make smarter in-game decisions (Ruiz et al., 2020). Noetel et al. (2021) further reports that calmness sustains performance, boost confidence, and keep athletes in the zone.

Emotional regulation and psychological flexibility are key predictors of athletic performance under pressure. Calm athletes are adaptive, which enables them to pivot, and reset with clarity. Birrer et al. (2021) states that mindfulness, breathing exercises, and mental reset routines are ways that athletes can cultivate calmness. Training calmness is not about suppressing emotion, but about increasing awareness to respond to the moment instead of reacting.

If you want to build a calm, composed mindset under pressure, remember these 3 anchors:

1. Breathe

Use your breath to reset and regulate your nervous system. The breath is always in the present moment.

2. Observe without judgment

Do not react to every emotion or label them as good or bad. Simply recognize the emotion you are experiencing and move with it in a way that remains in alignment with your desired goal.

3. Respond with intention 

Composure gives you the power to choose, instead of performing impulsively.

Train your calm like you train your physical skills because when the lights are bright, calm is the true power. I often tell athletes I work with, your talent gets you attention, but it is calmness that gets you both the attention and respect.