Identifying Mental Performance Blockers

Have you ever noticed how easily we get distracted these days?

I've certainly observed this in myself, prompting me to make some changes. In this piece, I'll share the small adjustments I'm making to boost my mental performance.

We all aspire to enhance our performance. We desire to be effortlessly productive, create captivating work, and ultimately reap financial rewards from our efforts. Achieving this demands mental capacity. However, many of us inadvertently apply brakes on our potential. We have habits that hinder our ability to perform at our best, both professionally and personally. This is counterproductive.

Fortunately, most of these inefficiencies can be mitigated by doing less—by easing off the brakes—rather than adding more tasks to our lives. Here are six ways we hinder our mental prowess:

1. Excessive Social Media Usage

Let's be honest. We're overly attached to the fleeting dopamine boosts we receive from notifications and likes. This dependence makes us restless, easily distracted, and akin to monkeys. Consider reducing your social media use to a brief, scheduled window during the day.

2. Worrying as a Coping Mechanism

Many of us resort to worry, particularly when feeling physically unbalanced. While it's normal to experience negative thoughts occasionally, the real issue arises when we cling to rumination, mistakenly believing it leads to productivity. In reality, worry only serves as a source of stress. Recognizing that you can let go of worrying is crucial; it’s a habit many of us need to change. The best way to stop worrying? Embrace the notion that when we are calm and relaxed, we naturally receive the best insights and solutions without forcing them.

3. Caffeine Consumption

This one's tough for coffee and tea enthusiasts, but caffeine doesn’t actually enhance mental performance. Instead, it floods our bodies with cortisol, the stress hormone. We may feel energized, but it’s merely an illusion of stress. Quitting caffeine allows us to tap into our natural energy, which proves to be far more effective over time. Stress diminishes our performance and sleep quality, making us vulnerable to companies that exploit our dependency.

4. Engaging with Distracting Media

The quality and intensity of stimulation from TV, YouTube, video games, and pornography have escalated. This constant bombardment leaves us fatigued due to excessive dopamine spikes, rendering our real-world interests mundane. Reducing YouTube consumption can rekindle your motivation for activities like reading and writing.

5. Food as a Source of Stimulation

Surprisingly, food shouldn't be the euphoric experience many perceive it to be. Modern diets often lead to excessive dopamine spikes. Instead, focus on consuming nourishing foods, particularly meats and organ meats, while minimizing intake of processed sugars and high-glycemic carbohydrates. This shift can clear brain fog and restore a primal drive for life, as food should be a refueling experience rather than entertainment.

6. The Impact of Excessive Sexual Activity

For men especially, an overreliance on sexual gratification drains our natural energy. Excessive indulgence can mentally disadvantage us. Exercising self-control can channel that raw energy into creative pursuits.

Discover strategies to develop mental resilience with insights from the video "Build Mental Toughness in Sports: The 6 Mental Skills You Must Have!"

Learn about the essential steps to enhance your mental toughness in "The 6 Steps to Improving Your Mental Toughness || Chasing Excellence."

If you want to cultivate a stronger mental state than most, consider downloading my free illustrated booklet, "The 12 Habits of Mentally Strong People." It’s yours free for a limited time when you subscribe to my Substack newsletter.