Performance Anxiety & Yips With Eileen Canney Linnehan | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, the host interviews Eileen Canney Linihan, a former softball player who overcame the Yips, a condition that affects athletes’ ability to perform specific movements. They discuss performance anxiety, mental blocks, and strategies for finding peace and wisdom in everyday life.

Main Takeaways

Overcoming Performance Anxiety and the Yips

• Performance anxiety, mental block, and the Yips are concerns for athletes and creatives alike.
• Eileen Canney Linihan, a former softball player who suffered from the Yips, is now an expert in helping people overcome it.
• The Yips tend to happen to people who are people pleasers, perfectionists, hardworking, overthinkers, stubborn, and competitive.
• The Yips occur when an outside element or trigger causes the brain to shoot into fight or flight mode, affecting the body’s ability to perform certain tasks.
• The Yips can affect athletes of all ages, genders, and sports, including softball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, golf, pick-a-ball, and equestrian.

Understanding and Managing the Yips

• Trauma, injury, and stress can trigger the Yips.
• There is a misconception that people with the Yips are mentally weak.
• Redirecting willpower and fighting for oneself is key to overcoming the Yips.
• Lowering expectations and downplaying a situation can help in performing better under pressure.
• Stoicism is not the suppression of emotions, but rather the ability to manage them effectively.

Finding Peace and Growth

• Reflecting on personal experiences can be helpful for others in finding peace and moving forward.
• Accepting loss can lead to finding peace and becoming more present.
• Failure can be seen as an opportunity to show resilience and commitment to oneself.
• Trusting the process takes time and experience, but it can lead to success in the end.
• Learning to let go of the past and focus on the present is important for personal growth.

Summary

Overcoming Performance Anxiety and the Yips

Performance anxiety and the Yips can affect athletes and creatives, hindering their ability to perform at their best. Eileen Canney Linihan, a former softball player who experienced the Yips, shares her expertise in helping others overcome this condition. The Yips tend to occur in individuals who are people pleasers, perfectionists, hardworking, overthinkers, stubborn, and competitive. It is triggered by external elements that cause the brain to enter fight or flight mode, impacting the body’s performance. Athletes from various sports can experience the Yips, including softball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, golf, pick-a-ball, and equestrian.

Understanding and Managing the Yips

Trauma, injury, and stress can trigger the Yips, and it is important to debunk the misconception that individuals with the Yips are mentally weak. Overcoming the Yips requires redirecting willpower and fighting for oneself. Lowering expectations and downplaying a situation can help in performing better under pressure. Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions but effectively managing them. Understanding and managing the Yips involve a holistic approach that addresses the psychological and emotional aspects of the condition.

Finding Peace and Growth

Reflecting on personal experiences can provide valuable insights for finding peace and moving forward. Accepting loss and failure as opportunities for growth and resilience can lead to personal development. Trusting the process, letting go of the past, and focusing on the present are essential for personal growth. Stoic principles can guide individuals in finding peace and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Conclusion

Overcoming performance anxiety and the Yips requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of the condition. By understanding the triggers and managing emotions effectively, individuals can find peace and perform at their best. Embracing challenges and reflecting on personal experiences can lead to personal growth and resilience. Trusting the process and focusing on the present are key to overcoming obstacles and finding success.