KATY, TEXAS PARENTS OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED Personality and Performance Robert B. Andrews MA, LMFT, CSC March 8, 2013

EXERCISE IN PAIRS Describe yourself at your best (as a parent or student) Describe yourself at your worst or when you are struggling (as a parent or student)

INTROVERTS Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge.“ Avoid pain

EXTROVERTS An extrovert is a person who is energized by being around other people. This is the opposite of an introvert who is energized by being alone. They are externally referenced meaning they are concerned with the physical and social world. Seek out pleasure

CONDITIONED SELF The process of training individuals to act in a manner desired by a society or groups within that society. Changing behavior by rewarding or punishing behavior each time an action is performed until subject associates the action with pleasure or distress Family, society, culture, religion, school, friends, team, coaches, teachers

AUTHENTIC SELF The extent to which one’s own unique personality, spirit, character, and passion is expressed absent of all social pressures, forces and influences.

GIFTED AND TALENTED KIDS (DAN PETERS) Highly emotional, Intuitive, Fast learners, Emotionally reactive, Strong Memory, Large Vocabulary, Insightful, Sensitive, Long attention span, Increased scrutiny by peers Advanced understanding of difficult life situations Because of intelligence they tend to experience life experiences that are not age appropriate Can have advanced cognitive functioning with un-advanced emotional processing

WHERE THE MIND LEADS THE BODY FOLLOWS Where the mind leads performance follows

CONFIDENCE 3 Key components Knowledge Experience Positive Feedback

PERFORMANCE TALENT + BELIEF How much talent do you have? How much do you believe in it that talent?

PASSION & FOCUS Short periods of intense passion and intense focus make for productive practice and training sessions.

BALANCE Managing your energy for life

PRESSURE AND PERFORMANCE Finding Your “Zone”

POTENTIAL CAPACITY TO DEVELOP LATENT QUALITIES OR ABILITIES What are you capable of achieving ?

SOURCES OF STRESS & PRESSURE Parents Coaches/Teachers Pressure to perform Student/Athlete

STRESS & DISTRACTIONS How potential is derailed

PERFORMANCE AND BRAIN FUNCTIONING

PERSONALITY AND PERFORMANCE How Does Pressure/Stress Impact Performance?

COMMANDER “GET IT DONE” TEMPERAMENT HIGH FUNCTIONING Serious Focused Determined Goal directed Benevolent leader Take charge Motivator

COMMANDER ”GET IT DONE ” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONING Impatient Argumentative Stubborn Controlling Low tolerance for slowness Quickly become frustrated Angry and can become abusive

ORGANIZER “GET IT RIGHT” TEMPERAMENT Detailed Structure Organization Order Observant Idealistic

ORGANIZER “GET IT RIGHT” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONING Cautious, guarded, and skeptical Perfectionistic Can become stuck in inaction because they are afraid they may not get something right Focus on minute details Create stress for themselves and those around them Controlling and manipulative Can be “on guard” a lot of the time

RELATER “GET ALONG” TEMPERAMENT Value Relationships Caring Team players Expressive Seek out interaction Compassionate

RELATER “GET ALONG” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONING Passive and reserved Afraid of conflict Easily hurt by criticism Dependent on others to set the mood or tone Keep things inside Can be prone to “blow ups” Seek approval from others Can “walk on eggshells”

ENTERTAINER “GET CONNECTED” TEMPERAMENT Passionate Colorful Expressive Dramatic Inspirational Motivators

ENTERTAINER “GET CONNECTED” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONING Highly emotional Up and down moodiness Wear emotions on their sleeves Constant talkers Jump from interest to interest without finishing much Rapid and unpredictable changeability

FAILURE

 Excellence is risk Perfection is Fear  Excellence is effort  Excellence is effort Perfection is anger and frustration  Excellence is openness and being wrong  Excellence is openness and being wrong Perfection is having to be right  Excellence is spontaneity  Excellence is spontaneity Perfection is control  Excellence is flow  Excellence is flow Perfection is pressure  Excellence is confidence  Excellence is confidence Perfection doubt  Excellence is journey  Excellence is journey Perfection is destination  Excellence is acceptance  Excellence is acceptance Perfection is judgment  Excellence is encouraging  Excellence is encouraging Perfection is criticizing