The Thinking Traps That Sabotage Performance

Have you ever known you could make the shot... and still missed when it mattered most? Why doesn't telling yourself, "I've made this hundreds of times" always work under pressure? In this episode of You Don't Know Jack, Dr. Jack Groppel and Dr. Haley Perlus explore the thinking patterns that quietly undermine performance in sport, business, and everyday life. You'll learn how distorted thinking shapes emotions, confidence, and decision making, including: • Catastrophizing • Overgeneralization • Polarizing • Perfectionism • Personalization We also unpack why affirmations sometimes help and why they sometimes don't. Simply repeating positive statements isn't enough if your brain doesn't believe them under pressure. Using real performance examples, including the pressure packed free throw, we discuss how to challenge irrational thoughts, build believable confidence, and develop a mindset that performs when the stakes are highest. Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, parent, or simply someone who wants to think more clearly under pressure, this episode offers practical tools you can use immediately.