1 of 34

Performance Character

09/2026

2 of 34

40 Second Self-Description

  • Each person at the table will get 40 seconds to describe themselves with ”I” statements.
    • I am…
    • I love…
    • I dislike…
    • I have…

​

3 of 34

Background

4 of 34

5 of 34

Performance Character

The mindset and behaviors necessary to best take on a challenge successfully and joyfully.

6 of 34

Why is Performance Character Important?

  • Wrestlers encounter challenges every day in practice and competition. How much time do we spend on why they’re taking on those challenges and how to get through them when the challenge is difficult?

​

  • Athletes need to know that they can be in control of challenges rather than victims.

​

7 of 34

8 of 34

Purpose

P e r s e v e r a n c e

Courage

Positive Thought

Commitment

S e l f - A w a r e n e s s

I n t e g r i t y

Flow

Ego lives down here

Ego starts to vanish while joy and success is the result.

Parthenon of Performance Character

GRIT

P a s s i o n

Emotion

Which do you think is the most important component of Performance Character?

9 of 34

Performance Character Tools

  • Concepts are ambiguous – visuals make them more concrete.
  • Visuals engage both sides of the brain.
  • Concepts are personal to the individual – not a one-size-fits-all situation.
  • Coupling a diagram with questions allows a person to determine their personal ideas/thoughts about performance character concepts.
  • Discussion allows people access to different opinions.

​

10 of 34

11 of 34

12 of 34

Success

Failure

Honorable

Dishonorable

I

II

III

IV

13 of 34

14 of 34

Event + Response = Outcome

15 of 34

16 of 34

Questions

  • What is fear?
  • How do you know when you’re experiencing fear?
  • Is anything at work fear-inducing for you?
  • Is fear a good thing or a bad thing?
  • What is courage?

17 of 34

Resistance

Acceptance

Fear

18 of 34

Resistance

Acceptance

Fear

Anxiety

19 of 34

Resistance

Acceptance

Fear

Excitement

20 of 34

Perceived

Negative

Outcomes

Perceived

Positive

Outcomes

21 of 34

Perceived

Negative

Outcomes

Perceived

Positive

Outcomes

Irrational Fear

22 of 34

Perceived

Negative

Outcomes

Perceived

Positive

Outcomes

Overconfident

23 of 34

24 of 34

25 of 34

Hours of Practice

10,000 Hours

Expertise

World Class

With Deliberate Practice

Without Deliberate Practice

Sweet Spot

26 of 34

27 of 34

Flow State Questions

Flow state is when you are completely focused on the moment. In flow state, the person feels selfless, the experience is rich, the event is timeless, and the action feels effortless.

​

  • Have you ever been in flow state?
  • Can you provide an example?
  • What did it feel like?
  • If you wanted to get into flow state, how would you do it?

​

27

8/25/26

28 of 34

Pleasure vs. Joy questions

Pleasure is flow state that you don’t have to work for.

Joy is flow state that takes effort.

​

  • Provide some examples of pleasure and some examples of joy.
  • Are video games an example of pleasure or joy?
  • Are students more likely to be attracted to pleasure or joy?
  • What are side effects of pleasure? What are side effects of joy?

Sample Footer Text

28

8/25/26

29 of 34

  1. Which level do athletes find themselves in practice/competition most often, Frustration, Flow, or Boredom?
  2. Whose responsibility is it to match challenge with skill level in a class, the coach or the athlete?
  3. How can you help your athletes find Flow State in your practice?

30 of 34

31 of 34

32 of 34

Purpose

P e r s e v e r a n c e

Courage

Positive Thought

Commitment

S e l f - A w a r e n e s s

I n t e g r i t y

Flow

Ego lives down here

Ego starts to vanish while joy and success is the result.

Parthenon of Performance Character

GRIT

P a s s I o n

Emotion

Support

Support

How can you better support your students?

33 of 34

34 of 34

34

8/25/26

Jay Jackson

​

Books:

  • amazon.com

​

Email:

  • foghorn@stanfordalumni.org

​

Website: uptothechallengejayjackson.com