Selective attention and positive thinking
Selective attention is where the performer focuses their concentration on what they are doing or about to do and ignores all other distractions. A sprinter uses selective attention on the blocks at the start of the race.
Positive thinking is the performer being optimistic (about future performance), thinking and being confident about doing well and winning, shutting out negative thoughts and feeling well prepared. Positive self-talk involves the performer endorsing their own ability and progress by talking to themselves (usually in their heads, but sometimes out loud, too).
The table shows the effects on the performer of positive thinking:
| Improves motivation | Improves confidence | Improves performance | Decreases anxiety |
| This psyches the performer up, eg thinking about winning before a football match | Eg a netball player not thinking about how good the opposition is but focusing on their own strengths before a match | This allows a performer to play better, eg a tennis player concentrating on where to place the shot rather than thinking 'don’t hit it in the net' | This increases confidence, eg remembering how much good training a runner has done to prepare for a cross country race |
| Improves motivation | This psyches the performer up, eg thinking about winning before a football match |
|---|---|
| Improves confidence | Eg a netball player not thinking about how good the opposition is but focusing on their own strengths before a match |
| Improves performance | This allows a performer to play better, eg a tennis player concentrating on where to place the shot rather than thinking 'don’t hit it in the net' |
| Decreases anxiety | This increases confidence, eg remembering how much good training a runner has done to prepare for a cross country race |
Performers practise and use selective attention and positive thinking, especially when they are learning new skills or are in challenging situations during a performance.