?? The Bronze Medal Mindset: Why Small Wins and Self-Comparison Fuel Flow

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Have you ever wondered why the bronze medalist often looks happier than the silver medalist at the Olympics? It’s a fascinating bit of psychology. Research by Victoria Husted Medvec and her colleagues found that silver medalists tend to fixate on how close they were to winning gold, often feeling disappointed. In contrast, bronze medalists are more focused on the fact that they made it onto the podium, leading to a sense of relief and gratitude. They might be thinking, “I almost didn’t make it, but here I am!”

This example speaks volumes about the power of perspective and where we choose to direct our attention. And it’s directly linked to the concept of flow psychology. Flow, often called the state of optimal experience, happens when we’re fully immersed in what we’re doing, challenged just enough to stay engaged, and making steady progress. One key element of entering flow is setting clear, achievable goals—something we can control and measure against our own past performance, rather than someone else’s success.

Comparing ourselves to others often pulls us out of flow. We start measuring our worth against external benchmarks, which can trigger stress, anxiety, and even imposter syndrome. When we’re busy thinking about how someone else is faster, richer, or more successful, we lose sight of our own journey and fall into a fixed mindset, where the fear of not measuring up can paralyze us.

Instead, if we adopt the mindset of the bronze medalist, we shift our attention to our own progress. We acknowledge that we’re in the race, we’ve shown up, and we’re improving bit by bit. This is where flow psychology shines: By focusing on incremental improvements, we maintain a sense of control, reduce the fear of failure, and keep ourselves motivated. It’s about asking, “What’s the next small step I can take?” rather than “Why am I not as good as them?”

The takeaway here is simple: If you want to stay in the flow, focus on your own progress. Celebrate your small wins, even if they seem insignificant. Each step forward is a victory, and each tiny improvement adds up. Be like the bronze medalist—grateful for where you are, proud of the effort you’ve put in, and excited for the next step in your journey.

Until next time, keep leveling up, focus on your own growth, and stay in the flow. ??

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