How the Threat vs. Challenge Mindset Impacts Performance Under Stress
The threat vs. challenge mindset is the primary mindset type that dictates how one performs in stressful situations.
The threat mindset causes one to put a significant focus on the source of the stress, and how that source could cause negative consequences. This then triggers emotions related to anger, fear, and scarcity.
These emotional triggers are draining, and as a result cause premature fatigue. This fatigue then causes a decrease in performance. Which in turn prevents any possibility of a person performing at his or her best.
On the other hand, the challenge mindset is a much more optimistic mindset. A person with this mindset views the source of the stress as an opportunity to test them self. When one’s mindset is ready to take on a challenge like this, the mind prepares to be at its best.
This sparks the motivation to take steps to do things better than normal. For example, eat better, sleep more, seek additional resources, or prepare with more focus. Proactively taking these steps not only improves confidence, it also can potentially increase one’s energy levels. Which will unquestionably increase performance regardless of the outcome.