In previous decades, several interesting trends in popular winning strategies have emerged. For example, during the 1950s and 1960s, “hard work” was emphasized. The individual who showed up and worked the hardest made the most improvement in their art, music, academics and sport. In the 1970s, the number of hours committed to practice or training grew, as did excellence in performance. In the 1980s, collateral or collaborative training regimens such as language coaching for singers, tutors for academics and out of sport physical conditioning for athletes, added yet another competitive edge.
In the years since then, this evolution of “more and better” has continued with trends toward earlier age participation and use of technology to perfect performance have become more common place. Cameras, video, and various recording devices now routinely analyze practice and performance to assist vocalists and instrumentalist in honing their artistry.
These efforts have one underlying premise—the promise of a greater opportunity for excellence in performance.
More recently, the mental and emotional components of preparing for excellence have become a greater focus. Mental skills preparation is currently viewed by many as a significant, if not vital element in optimal preparation. More often than not, the skills and techniques that are developed as a result of these efforts are instrumental in determining who weathers the competition and ultimately finds themselves on the winning side.
