Is Exploiting Temptation The Best Way To Deliver Superior Performance?

Playing the Queens’ Gambit. Warning: contains spoilers.

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The past week I’ve been re-watching the Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

The first time I saw this series I thought it was brilliant.

What struck me, as I rewatched it, was that we all thought Beth needed the tranquilizer drugs and alcohol to be able to envision the giant chessboard above her head, trying all the different combinations of pieces and moving them in diverse ways.

But it wasn’t until her match with Borgov in the final, that we (and more importantly, she) realised that she could summon the calmness and the giant moving chess pieces above her head, without having any external influences helping her.

She had it in her all along.

She was a genius.

So, this got me thinking.

Do we rely too much on external influences to access our own peak potential, rather than aligning with our deeper selves to bring out that flow? Is it even possible to access our peak potential without them?

It depends.

Some external influences, such as exercise for instance, has a profound impact on how I feel or think. But alcohol does the opposite for me. Of course, everyone responds differently to external stimuli.

I remember working away as a young consultant, and going out for drinks every night with my colleagues. They would always be having a ‘night cap’ just before bed – they said it made them pass out (the joys and stresses of working at the Big 4). This never worked for me though. I would be lying awake for hours after taking said nightcap and feel awful the next day.

Meditation on the other hand does wonders for my focus and ability to control my emotions – and the days where I meditate in the morning, leave me feeling able to accomplish anything during the rest of the day.

Authors Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal, in their brilliant book, Stealing Fire, discuss the concept of ‘ecstasis’ – a very specific range of non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC). They categorised these states into:

• flow (in the zone),

• contemplative and mystical (chanting, meditation), and

• psychedelic.

They argue that the amplified information processing and perspective that non-ordinary states provide can help solve complex problems, and they can often do so faster than more conventional approaches.

Some of the studies they cited showed remarkable improvements in well-being through accessing these non-ordinary states.

For instance:

• One month of meditation reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by 84% in the military.

• A single dose of the drug MDMA (also known as Ecstasy) reduced and cured survivors of child abuse, sexual abuse, and combat.

• 94% of terminal cancer patients said taking psilocybin was one of the five most meaningful experiences of their lives.

• The highest performing Olympic athletes and corporate managers made more ethical and empathetic decisions.

My perspective

Our brains aren’t designed to be quiet.

Rather they want to make connections and think.

But quietening them down, whilst difficult, gives space for new connections to made. There are numerous benefits to meditation on the brain.

“Meditation can create structural changes in the brain. It has been shown to increase grey matter in the brain, particularly in areas related to learning, memory, emotion regulation, and perspective.” - Mirela Loftus, MD, Phd

Beth quietened her mind in that last match, by breathing deeply and becoming one with her inner being.

When one is in that state, the conscious mind is distracted, clarity is received, and insights come.

I know from my own meditation practice that this really does work.

Consciousness is key.

I do believe that people can achieve that state of flow whilst taking external enhancers, but the most important thing is to be conscious of it.

If you’re not able to consciously recall and ponder that amazing thought, then it’s going to be fleeting and useless for you in a conscious state.

Whether its alcohol, drugs, adrenaline sports, or whatever tips your serotonin levels over the edge, I’m certain that that will provide you with a kick that allows you to be in an optimum creative mode.

Let’s not forget that Beth loved chess. That was her thing.

She would play it all day all night if she could. It made her happy.

How often do we come across something that makes us that happy that we get to do all day and night, providing us with that natural high? For many of us – not often.

Everyone is going to have their own take on it.

Some will love the idea of micro-dosing psilocybin to get a mental edge, others may never even contemplate such a thing and would prefer to paint or colour their way into bliss.

But one thing is for sure.

Bliss is where it’s at.

Find yours and you find your path to accessing a flow state.

When in flow, anything is possible.

What do you do (that you’re willing to share 😉) to get yourself into an optimum state of flow?

-Selda

P.S. If you found this article valuable, don’t keep it to yourself - spread the word! Share it with your friends, family, and colleagues, and let’s help everyone to get into their peak performance mode!

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