Types of Failure- Psychological Failure

By: Joshua Miller

When we look at training, we see several types of failure. We have absolute failure, technical failure, and psychological failure. The third is not discussed as often, however it should be, and as such will be the focus of the first installment of this series. Absolute failure refers to a lifter missing a lift without a technical break and with maximum effort exerted. Technical failure is when lack of technical proficiency causes a lifter to miss a lift, or technical breakdown is great enough that continuing to load is unadvisable. From simply defining the first two most commonly discussed types of failure, it is clear that psychological failure can have overlap with the other two, and that failure in any of the three essential departments results in failure for the lifter. If the lifter breaks technique due to lack of focus, nervousness, or lack of confidence then both technical and psychological failure have occurred. In this incident many coaches seek to correct technique in a clinical way, when in this case their lifter broke technique because they were lacking psychologically. Likewise, we have all seen and perhaps experienced a lift where we were in the right groove, but we missed it and it didn’t really feel like we pushed like we could’ve. We simply were not psychologically prepared to try that hard. Often this happens with a weight a lifter has done before, and they correct it. Sometimes mental blocks like this can happen and hold a lifter back for a long time.

This isn’t to scold or belittle anyone who can relate to these sentiments. Knowledge is power. Awareness brings about the possibility of action! Simply being aware of the psychological contributions and requirements allows one to make the decision to execute that differently. When discussing topics like this, I am often asked how to achieve that mindset if it is not innate. My response is always the same. It is a decision. This is off putting to many who do not think about the statement with adequate depth, or who feel they’re entitled to an instant solution. Yes, I did say it is a decision, and it is. That does not mean you will stare in the mirror and say “I’m the best, I can hit this number” and then go and do it that day. It may happen like that, but it also mean deciding to set the standard higher with movement quality for awhile. It may mean cultivating a psychological environment that allows for the focus and execution required for success. We all have different optimal courses of action psychologically, because we are all starting at different places, but it is an absolute truth that progress begins with a decision not to accept the current circumstances that have left you wanting more!

That may mean not accepting your knees to cave anymore on a squat and dedicating yourself to spreading into it. It may mean not accepting your butt shooting up on deadlifts so finally dedicating yourself to starting the movement correctly and all the learning and practice and patience that goes along with that. Outside the gym that may mean not accepting your portfolio leaving you stressed and awake at night so you take real steps to secure your future. Success can mean thousands of things, and in life there are layers to success as well, so while financial success is a different layer, the way to get there is essentially the same as the way to a big total. Step one of getting a big total is deciding you will get a big total regardless of what that takes. Step one of being financially successful, or successful in any other way you want is simply deciding you will be no matter what. Step two of being successful for anything is determining what is required. Step three is doing it. That’s it.

If you find yourself relating to this discussion and feel making the decision to be successful isn’t that easy, that is okay. It isn’t a decision that is made overnight. It is a decision that must be cultivated where it doesn’t grow naturally. Remind yourself of why you want it and why success is important to you. Remind yourself of, or discover why you enjoy the pursuit. Visualize success, visualize the feeling of victory. It often becomes much easier to plan actions and execute when you are mindful of why you are doing it! Most of all, remind yourself that you deserve to live your dreams. Remind yourself you deserve to deserve to do things that make you happy and that you deserve success. Recognize that living your true self will allow you to make more contributions and more meaningful contributions to the world. It is not a selfish pursuit to bring your most authentic self to the world, it is a benefit to all, a part of the natural way all are, or should be symbiotic by adding our own unique values and talents to society. So, whatever it is that makes your heart happy, do it, do it with all your heart.

At the end of the day, in the gym or out of the gym, from a psychological perspective success and what is required for it is all the same. It comes down to deciding to be successful, and if your attitude and psyche isn’t accepting of that decision then it is up to you to cultivate an attitude that demands success!

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