The Antifragile Academy

It's a process! #processmindset #masterymindset #growthmindset

There's a counterintuitive truth about achievement: Often, a focus on the "process" outperforms a fixation solely on outcomes. This "mastery paradox" shows up everywhere - from elite athletes to top executives. When we obsess over results, we shift focus away from the task itself, activate performance anxiety, create cognitive load, and miss the incremental improvements that lead to breakthrough success. Consider the benefits of another type of mindset, a "mastery" or "process" mindset: ? Reduces performance pressure ? Deepens learning through deliberate practice ? Creates sustainable motivation ? Improves resilience after setbacks High performers and antifragile people measure progress against their previous self, not arbitrary endpoints. Next time you face a challenge, ask yourself: "Am I focused on proving my worth or improving my craft?" What processes are you currently working to develop mastery in? Comment below ?? #MasteryMindset #PerformancePsychology #Antifragility Nick Holton, Ph.D. Adam R. Wright, PhD, LAC, CMPC

There's a counterintuitive truth about achievement: Often, a focus on the "process" outperforms a fixation solely on outcomes. This "mastery paradox" shows up everywhere - from elite athletes to top executives. When we obsess over results, we shift focus away from the task itself, activate performance anxiety, create cognitive load, and miss the incremental improvements that lead to breakthrough success. Consider the benefits of another type of mindset, a "mastery" or "process" mindset: ? Reduces performance pressure ? Deepens learning through deliberate practice ? Creates sustainable motivation ? Improves resilience after setbacks High performers and antifragile people measure progress against their previous self, not arbitrary endpoints. Next time you face a challenge, ask yourself: "Am I focused on proving my worth or improving my craft?" What processes are you currently working to develop mastery in? Comment below ?? #MasteryMindset #PerformancePsychology #Antifragility Nick Holton, Ph.D. Adam R. Wright, PhD, LAC, CMPC

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Advice from a recovering perfectionist: Focus on the process, and turn down the pressure on the outcome. My SXSW keynote is done, and I feel relieved! And happy. Accomplishing a big milestone feels great, but for years I could never enjoy it. I always put so much pressure on a big event to somehow fix my life, change things for the better, deliver whatever unreasonable goal I was seeking. I practiced this keynote for months. It infected my brain. I muttered it when I was driving. I delivered it yesterday and did the absolute best I could. I left nothing on the table and I was totally prepared. And that felt like enough. That’s the thing about being a recovering perfectionist: It’s about setting new expectations and turning down the pressure on outcome by focusing on preparing the best you can, and then letting go. Adam R. Wright, PhD, LAC, CMPC really helped me change my thinking here. You can listen to my interview with Adam and Nick Holton, Ph.D. Here: https://lnkd.in/eTfQSwzk Or read the newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eDQ6MdZZ #SXSW #SXSW25 #publicspeaking #AnxiousAchiever

Our team notices something fascinating when we work with high-performers: the distinction between external rewards and internal drivers. Self-Determination Theory, pioneered by Ryan & Deci, helps explain why: Extrinsic Motivation: ? Driven by external rewards and consequences ? Creates short-term compliance ? Often leads to psychological resistance ? Performance drops when rewards are removed ? Creates dependency on external validation Intrinsic Motivation: ? Driven by internal satisfaction and meaning ? Generates sustainable engagement ? Enhances creativity and innovation ? Persists through challenges and setbacks ? Fosters psychological ownership and agency Here's just a few of the ways intrinsic can have a positive impact: ?? Resilience: When facing adversity, those driven by intrinsic motivation demonstrate greater persistence, adaptability, and capacity to maintain performance through disruption. ?? Performance: Intrinsically motivated individuals demonstrate 3x greater problem-solving ability and significantly higher productivity over time compared to extrinsically motivated peers. ?? Well-Being: External motivators correlate with higher stress, anxiety, and burnout, while intrinsic drivers support psychological flourishing and job satisfaction. The key insight? Intrinsic motivation thrives when three psychological needs are met: 1. Autonomy: Having meaningful choice, volition or alignment with the task 2. Competence: Experiencing growth and mastery in areas of meaning 3. Relatedness: Connecting to purpose and people Create environments that nurture these three fundamental needs rather than relying on carrots and sticks. Have you noticed the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in your own work? Where have they been most visible? #Motivation #SelfDeterminationTheory #PerformancePsychology #Resilience

Are Your Limits Real or Self-Imposed? ?? We’re all constrained to some extent—by systems, circumstances, or even our own beliefs. But many of the boundaries we feel are self-imposed. The key is shifting focus from limitation to learning. ?? In kind environments (where rules are clear), learning helps us refine and improve. ?? In wicked environments (where things constantly change), learning makes us adaptable and antifragile. When we see constraints as lessons rather than roadblocks, we don’t just survive—we expand our capacity to thrive. ?? What’s one ‘limitation’ you’ve reframed as a learning opportunity? Drop it in the comments! #AntifragileMindset #GrowthUnderPressure #ResilientThinking #PerformancePsychology #MentalFlexibility #MindsetShift #ConstraintsToOpportunities

How you frame obstacles shapes your response. A threat mindset triggers stress and avoidance, while a challenge mindset builds resilience and fosters action. When facing a challenge: 1?? Respond with optimism – Trust in your ability to overcome it. 2?? Break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Progress compounds. If feeling overwhelmed, adjust the equation: ? Reduce the demand (lighten the load where possible). ? Increase your resources (seek support, tools, or strategies). Or do a combination of BOTH. How do you typically respond to high-pressure situations? Comment below! #PerformancePsychology #StressResponse #Antifragility #MindsetMatters #MentalTraining #Antifragile #Mindset #Stress #Pressure #Performance #Resilience

Most people think resilience is the key to success—but what if that’s only half the story? If you're just "bouncing back" from challenges, you're playing defense. By the end of today’s episode with 2 anti-fragility experts, Nick Holton, Ph.D. Adam R. Wright, PhD, LAC, CMPC you will know: ?? How to Rewire Your Response to Pressure to see stress as fuel for peak performance, rather than a threat. ?? The Hidden Power of Negative Visualization: and what elite performers do to improve their performance ?? How to Engineer Anti-Fragile Confidence using a game-changing framework that top athletes, military leaders, and executives use to thrive under uncertainty. Stop letting stress dictate your performance. Tap into your anti-fragile potential—press play now and start training yourself to rise stronger in every high-stakes situation.

Why do some people thrive under stress while others crumble? It's in large part due to our mindset about stress, and our response?? CHALLENGE MINDSET: ? Sees pressure as an opportunity ? Body releases performance-enhancing hormones ? Increases cognitive flexibility ? Creates energy & engagement ? Improves decision-making THREAT MINDSET: ? Perceives stress as dangerous ? Triggers fight/flight/freeze response ? Reduces cognitive function ? Creates mental & physical shutdown ? Limits performance potential Our perception creates our physiological response. The best part? This response can be TRAINED. ?? How do you typically respond to high-pressure situations? #PerformancePsychology #StressResponse #Antifragility #MindsetMatters #MentalTraining