09 Feb 349: Dr. Nate Zinsser – 4 Keys to Developing a Confident Mind
Today we’re talking about what it takes to build a confident mind… no matter what. Our tour guide for this discussion is Dr. Nate Zinsser… who’s the Director of the Performance Psychology Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
He uses applied performance psychology to help cadets prepare for and perform in high-stakes situations.
But he also helps world-class athletes, Olympic medalists, professional ballerinas, NHL All-Stars, college All-Americans… as well as countless business professionals and leaders! In fact, NFL MVP Eli Manning said, “Studying confidence with Dr. Zinsser helped me win two Super Bowls!”
He teaches people how to overcome the pressure and succeed. By the way… Doc Z has applied these concepts himself… to allow him to deliver consistently… but also become a world-class mountaineer and accomplished martial artist.. just to name a few.
His brand new book is called, “ THE CONFIDENT MIND: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance.” It’s a book designed to help us all better understand confidence… build it… protect it… and rely upon it when performance matters most! It’s a powerful conversation I think you’re going to love so let’s get to it!
RESOURCES:
Dr. Nate Zinsser’s book: “The Confident Mind – A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance” – Click here
Dr. Z’s website: www.natezinsser.com/
Related DREAM THINK DO Episodes:
Two Minutes To Confidence (A deep dive with Mitch): mitchmatthews.com/246/
Let Me Go Do It Like It’s Never Been Done – An interview with The Orville’s J. Lee: mitchmatthews.com/j-lee/
Breaking Down Barriers & Setting New Records – An interview with McKenna Hasse. mitchmatthews.com/mckenna-haase/
MINUTE BY MINUTE :
- 0:02 Have you noticed this in people lately?
- 2:35 Get to know Dr. Nate
- 4:20 Conversation starts
- 8:15 The fruit of having higher confidence
- 11:38 How to avoid becoming overly confident
- 17:00 The starting point of confidence
- 20:03 Why Dr. Nate changed the name of his book
- 27:07 Being ridiculous honest about execution
- 29:50 How to actually believe your positive self-talk
- 33:42 How Mitch started to overcome worry
- 37:37 Keys to upgrade your confidence in the moment
- 44:14 How to connect with Dr. Nate
- 44:45 Mitch’s minute
MORE ABOUT Dr. Nate Zinsser – 4 Keys to Developing a Confident Mind EPISODE:
Dr. Nate Zinsser trains cadets in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He prepares them to lead and perform when the stakes are the very highest—on the battlefield.
Dr. Z has learned over time that one trait above all others makes peak performance possible: confidence. What is confidence? Well… it’s the belief in oneself.
Whether you’re leading a platoon into combat, going for the end zone, or delivering a sales pitch to a roomful of skeptical prospects, you perform at your best when you are so certain about your abilities that fears and doubts are quieted to the barest minimum.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that Dr. Zinsser has come to recognize that confidence is actually a skill. And that means it can be taught, improved, and applied by anyone to enhance nearly every aspect of our lives and careers. And in this convo… we talk about 4 specific things YOU can do to start to grow your own confidence and build what Dr. Z calls “A Confident Mind.”
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Leave a comment and let me know what stood out to you from this interview with Dr. Z.
More importantly, let me know which strategy, story or pearl of wisdom (BIG or small)… inspired you to take action. What’s something (Big or small) you’re going to experiment with as a result?
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Lastly, don’t forget to share this episode! And when you do either tag me or just include the #dreamthinkdo.
You can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Let’s connect there too!
Cathy Baker
Posted at 11:53h, 09 FebruaryGOLD! This is just plain pure gold!
Application of strategies shared so doable.
So positive.
I took nine pages of written notes during the podcast, and highlighted a number of things I want to concentrate on.
The book “The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakeable Performance” has been ordered and Is on it’s way.
Thank you Dr. Nate Zinsser and Mitch.
Mitch Matthews
Posted at 14:09h, 11 FebruaryThanks so much Cathy… and right?!?! Wow! What a powerful conversation! Glad it clicked with you (but I’m not surprised!)!!!
Stacey Ladda
Posted at 12:39h, 11 FebruaryAmazing!! I listened while out running and then came home and listened again and took notes. My son is a top-ranked junior squash player with tremendous potential but many times struggles with the mental toughness needed to succeed on a court by himself. The strategies suggested I feel will make a huge difference for him. So much focus and attention are on the physical and technical aspects of the game when in fact the most important is the mental component. I have ordered the book and can’t wait to begin reading and helping my son to become more confident both on and off the court. Thank you!
Mitch Matthews
Posted at 14:10h, 11 FebruaryThanks so much Stacey for letting us know! I think you’re going to love the book! Powerful stuff and fun read too!!! Rooting for your son too! 🙂
Quddus J. Miller
Posted at 14:57h, 26 FebruaryWooooo! Amazing! I’m already feeling more confident! I like the ideas around meditating, visualizing and reflecting on a daily basis. Morning preparation for the day and reflecting at the end of the day or after a performance…..The daily steps and the journal. Oh, so important step.
This is just what I needed! Like becoming confident, being curious about all elements of ones entire performance; at work and at home with your family and of course as a coach.
Being ridiculously authentic and honest with yourself (intuition/.in your heart) about what you want and about your progress.
That warrior thing. Icing on the cake.
Absolutely mind blowing!
Love how this amazing podcast helps. The daily pep talk. What a service!
It’s almost like I dialed you up and said, that confidence thing, How do I stay in the flow.
Dr Joe Dispenza talks about this. It’s super deep though!
This podcast helps you lay it out plain and simple. So we can just do it.
Last thing, Curiosity is really about learning, its not about jumping out of an airplane without a parachute!
Thank you. Taking it higher bro.
Mitch Matthews
Posted at 12:58h, 27 FebruarySoooooo glad it resonated Quddus! I loved this convo too… so stoked it clicked and stoked those confidence fires for you too! Keep up the great work and keep making that forward progress my friend!