I often work with athletes and coaches on the idea of making the intangible components of performance tangible.  In the field of applied sport psychology this is often accomplished by way of mental skills.  These skills (i.e., self-talk, goal-setting, relaxation techniques, focus cues, mental imagery, etc.) are the tools that make it possible to address the mental side of performance in measurable, tangible ways.

But to stop there would only skim the surface – the real development and growth happen in the depths, in the complexities that make us who we are.  Ultimately, performing at your best when it matters most is more about how well you know and accept yourself than applying mental skills.