Episode 23: Put your Blinders on

In this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores why distraction is one of the greatest threats to performance—and why elite performers learn to narrow their focus rather than expand it. Drawing from horse racing, evolutionary psychology, and iconic Olympic moments, this episode unpacks how comparison pulls attention away from what actually matters. The solution isn’t eliminating comparison—it’s managing it. By learning to “put your blinders on,” you can stay in your lane, focus on what you control, and perform at your best when it matters most.Key Topics CoveredWhy having more awareness isn’t always better for performanceHow racehorse blinders improve focus by reducing distractionsThe psychology of comparison and its evolutionary rootsMichael Phelps vs. Chad le Clos: a lesson in attention under pressureWhy elite performers manage comparison instead of trying to eliminate itPractical strategies to refocus attention during competitionKey TakeawaysComparison is normal and even protective, but often unhelpful in performance settingsAttention pulled outward is attention taken away from controllablesFocus improves when you intentionally narrow your field of attentionYou don’t win your race by watching someone else run theirsMental Skills in ActionAwareness without judgment: Recognizing distraction as normalAttentional control: Choosing where to place your focusAnchoring: Using breath, routine, or a single cue to return to the presentSelf-compassion under pressure: Being kind before being correctiveReflection Question Where do you tend to look sideways during competition—and what would it look like to put your blinders on in that moment?Quote from the Episode “You don’t win your race by watching someone else run theirs. You win it by putting your blinders on.”Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records