Challenge State

WHAT IS CHALLENGE STATE? Have you ever wondered why some people thrive under pressure while other people seem to crumble? It’s all in the way we initially respond to stress. The initial response to stress occurs unconsciously and automatically based on our initial rapid evaluation of the situation. Some people are able to respond in a manner that helps their performance, known as a Challenge State. But other people enter into a Threat State, which hinders their performance. What separates good athletes from extraordinary athletes is often their ability to perform in high-pressure situations. The best skills in the world are of little benefit if you can’t perform when it matters most. Two people with very similar skills and training can perform drastically different when faced with high-pressure situations. The key difference between those who get the top prize and those who don’t is the mind-set. A Challenge State reflects a positive mental approach to pressure situations where our mental resources meet the demands of the situation.