Episode 13: Get Lost

Why the process—not the outcome—is where performance livesIn this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores a counterintuitive idea in performance psychology: getting lost might be exactly what you need.He begins with a vivid childhood memory—being six years old, locked out of his grandparents’ house, completely alone, and panicked. That feeling of being lost is miserable, and most of us spend our lives trying to avoid it at all costs.But when it comes to performance, avoiding “being lost” may be the very thing holding us back.There is another kind of getting lost—one that elite performers know well. It’s the state of being fully present, completely absorbed, where the score, the outcome, and even self-conscious thoughts fade away.That state isn’t panic. It’s flow.And flow doesn’t come from chasing results. It comes from getting lost in the process.In this episode, Dr. Ginsberg breaks down what the process actually is—something that’s often talked about but rarely defined—and explains why focusing on what you can control creates freedom, consistency, and better performance under pressure.In this episode, you’ll learn:How getting lost in the right things at the right times is a powerful psychological state: flow—those moments when attention narrows, self-talk quiets, time disappears, and performance feels effortless, not forced.The difference between panic and flow—and why they’re often confusedWhat “the process” really means in practical, usable termsHow focusing on controllables reduces anxiety and sharpens executionWhy results tend to show up when you stop chasing themKey TakeawayGetting lost isn’t something to fear— as long as it is in the right place.Get lost in the present moment. Get lost in your breath. Get lost in your routine.Because when you stop chasing results, they often have a funny way of finding you.So go ahead—get lost.*Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records