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Whether I’m watching Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Foles, Bryce Harper or Joel Embiid, I notice how they do what they do — the mechanical and mental aspects of their performance.    

An important lesson — one many of us can learn from — is the resilience of those at the top of their game.  They have an amazing capacity to quickly recover from the disappointment and frustration of mistakes.  The best don’t wallow in negative reactions or allow that I-can’t-believe-how-badly-I-messed-up feeling to last for long.  They take the lesson mistake, let the mistake go, and move on.

We all have the capacity to recover quickly.  Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, especially when breaking new ground.  Many of us have been programmed to believe that every time things don’t go as planned there must be negative consequences.  We must pay a price.  Not necessarily so.  The first step for recovering quickly is to forgive yourself, correct course and immediately start moving in the new direction.  Doing so will not just advance your growth, it will also cut down on stress and anxiety.

The next time you hit one out of bounds, make a string of unforced errors or have a mental lapse, focus on recovering quickly.  Let go of self-criticism and immediately turn your attention to what you need to do to stay at the top of your game.   

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And if you have any concerns about work or life that you’d like help with, visit my website and submit your question to “Ask Teressa.” It’s likely that you’re not alone in your struggle.  Your question could be the inspiration for a future video or podcast.  

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