REVIEW: "King of the Hill. Punchy character and psychology of the competition, "Po Bronson, Ashley Merriman

What do you feel when you have to enter the competition? You are paralyzed by fear, the heart starts beating like crazy thoughts are running in all directions. Or, conversely, you collect will in a fist and produce better results, which are capable of? Both options - a normal reaction of the human body and mind to a challenge. However, the first evidence of serious stress, which greatly reduces your chances of success, and the second - the ability to cope with the excitement and use all its resources to win.

Even if you are sure that the "fighting spirit" and "punchy character" - clearly not about you, it's not a reason to give up and abandon the competition. The authors of this book, Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman, give a few tips that will help you become a winner even in the harshest conditions.

Are you able to compete? What determines this ability? Can we influence it? Scientific studies and illustrative examples from different spheres of life, which constitute the main part of the narrative, help each reader to find their own answers to these questions.

Genes are important

Scientific evidence shows that genes can determine not only the height or the color of the human eye, but also its ability to respond to pressure and stress that accompany the competition. In this case it is a question of COMT (Catechol-O-methyl transferase) - an enzyme that protects the brain from overload and it maintains a balance between his state of high activity and relaxation in stressful situation. It has two versions - active and passive. Depending on which one is awarded you the nature, you can classify themselves as so-called "Warriors" or "panic-mongers." What is the fundamental difference between these two groups?

"Warriors":

• successfully overcome stress, even with no experience;
• able to switch from one task to another;
• a high level of rapid adaptability;
• receive a positive effect on aggression, that is, it helps them to work as productively as possible.

"Alarmists":

• successfully overcome specific stress factors only if you have experience;
• have good short-term memory;
• have a low level of fast adaptability;
• do not get the desired effect on aggression.

However, the presence of a particular modification of COMT - is not the only thing that affects our ability to compete.

From childhood

Yes, competition style, like so much else, it is laid in childhood. Already in 2-3 years when the child can understand the simple rules of the game and apply them in practice, he starts the competition with their peers (and not only). Who among us did not fight in the sandbox of the blade, or did not try to take away the machine's older brother? What about a playful fight with your parents? All of this - the first experience of competition. With his help children learn to read and send signals that regulate aggressive play.

Melee fights, fights and playful romp of parents with children - it's good, not bad, for they inculcate in children the skills competition.

Men and women

Have you noticed that men are more and more likely to come into conflict than women? The book presents the results of a number of studies that confirm this fact. The issues of competition of the fair sex are more cautious and prudent. Most of them are vying only when the probability of winning is high. With men it is not the case. They can get involved in a fight, even if the chances of success tend to zero. "At least I tried."

Win or lose

In a situation of competition it is always worth asking yourself this question, because it is fundamental. What do you really want? Become a winner or just not to lose face? The difference between these options is very palpable.

If you are focused on the achievement, you are driven by the desire to succeed; If you are focused on prevention, you are driven by fear of failure.

The second option, of course, too bad, but it does not involve any development. You just "do can" existing system while maintaining stability, and do not try to go beyond it. The first approach to a more fruitful competition. It stimulates creativity and helps participants in the struggle to be born to new ideas.

How useful book

Book Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman will allow to deal with how you deal with the competitive struggle that feel about it and the difficulties faced. Realizing this, you will be able to determine for themselves the so-called zone of optimal functioning, that is, a condition in which your actions are the most effective. This will help you a great number of examples and the results of scientific experiments, which are listed in the book. If you become a member of each of them and try to anticipate their actions in similar situations. At least that's what happened to me.

And what an experience of reading this book you got? Share in the comments.

"King of the Hill. Punchy character and psychology of the competition, "Po Bronson, Ashley Merriman

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