Curiosity Chronicle

The Spotlight Effect

April 3 · 6 min · Episode 426 · 6.6 MB
0:00-6:52

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For the last decade, I've had a recurring nightmare that I can trace back to my days as a Division 1 baseball player at Stanford...


I'm on the mound in a critical situation. All eyes are on me. The entire stadium waits for my pitch.


But as I start my motion, I realize I've completely forgotten how to throw the ball. My body moves like it's stuck in mud. Completely paralyzed.


Inevitably, I wake up in a cold sweat—thankful that it was just a dream.


While specific to my prior endeavors, as it turns out, this type of dream is a rather common one.


In fact, I'd be willing to bet that most of you have experienced some variation of it in the last few months.


All eyes on you in a big moment. And suddenly, you're completely paralyzed. Unable to perform.


It's the byproduct of a very common (and damning!) psychological phenomenon—one that has a tangible impact on the way we show up in every area of life.


It's called The Spotlight Effect...


•••

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