Intuition refers to your inner sense, gut instincts, hunches, and feelings and emotions. High performing intuitive/emotionally intelligent athletes are able to read their own and other people’s feelings and emotions. They are able to manage their feelings and emotions when under pressure, and they are able to use feelings and emotions to help solve problems, make decisions, and act quickly and confidently.
- Intuition and emotional intelligence help athletes to relax, focus, stay in the present, and perform confidently and aggressively.
- Intuitive performance comes from a combination of self-awareness, consistent deliberate practice, analysis, and reflection in training and in competition.
- A highly analytical approach can encourage doubt, anxiety, and your inner critic to distract you and slow you down. Under-performing athletes often say that too many thoughts interfere with their performance.