Re:A Close Call: How a Near Failure Propelled Me to Succeed ...
by toss1 on Monday August 03, 2020 @11:01PM
(#24046109)
I'd say there's several factors working in the same direction
At the very top levels, everyone has very close to the same level of preparation in terms of physical training, equipment, and mental preparation. A lot of the result comes down to your mental edge on a particular day, and some luck. The mental edge is the most fickle and difficult part of the skill set, yet it is virtually everything at the top. So, everyone recognizes that they may have an on or an off day.
Recognition that just in general, a position at the top is fragile, and it is not about your previous result, but your next result, which is uncertain.
Recognition that your competitors are also extremely good and prepared, and respect for them also leads to humility.
Then, even if they've got multiple world championship seasons under their belt, they see the context of the other greats in their sport (or similar in their field).
The post-qualifying and post-race interviews in Formula 1 auto racing often provide great examples. The top qualifiers will almost always say something like: "we qualified well, we think we're prepared, and hope for a good result tomorrow.". And after winning the race, it's about the team effort and the way things fell into place to make the win. I can't recall hearing anything resembling trash-talk in that environment.
At the very top levels, everyone has very close to the same level of preparation in terms of physical training, equipment, and mental preparation. A lot of the result comes down to your mental edge on a particular day, and some luck. The mental edge is the most fickle and difficult part of the skill set, yet it is virtually everything at the top. So, everyone recognizes that they may have an on or an off day.
Recognition that just in general, a position at the top is fragile, and it is not about your previous result, but your next result, which is uncertain.
Recognition that your competitors are also extremely good and prepared, and respect for them also leads to humility.
Then, even if they've got multiple world championship seasons under their belt, they see the context of the other greats in their sport (or similar in their field).
The post-qualifying and post-race interviews in Formula 1 auto racing often provide great examples. The top qualifiers will almost always say something like: "we qualified well, we think we're prepared, and hope for a good result tomorrow.". And after winning the race, it's about the team effort and the way things fell into place to make the win. I can't recall hearing anything resembling trash-talk in that environment.