Performance = Potential - Interference
Performance = Potential - Interference
Tim Gallwey wrote this formula in the 1970s long before training your mind was popular.
Since then, the formula has helped athletes, coaches and leaders frame their path.
What is interference?
Anything that hinders or blocks our mind/body’s ability to operate freely, focused, and up to the standard.
There are obvious interference elements that come with trying to be the best in the world at something.
Athletes and coaches deal with media, fans, extra attention, outside expectations and varying levels of outside noise.
Often we tend to think that “outside” interference is what hinders performers the most.
In working with some of the best coaches and athletes in the country, I’ve come to believe it’s actually interference from within that becomes the most debilitating.
Trying to live up to impossible self-imposed expectations and standards.
Our inability to accept less than perfect execution - all the time.
Our own “goals” we create out of thin air (This one might be the most challenging for achievers).
Our relationship with the scoreboard.
Our self-beliefs and internal narratives.
These (among many others) create more problems for performers and leaders than anything external ever could.
The interference from within is a trojan horse that takes us down.
How does a performer or leader fight it? Can it be fought? Is it possible to truly be interference free when leading and performing at the highest levels?
The Score Takes Care of Itself
This past summer, German tennis star Alexander Zverev showed us a possible path. While competing in the finals of the 2026 US Open, Zverev was serving for championship point - and he didn’t even realize it.
He was so in the moment, focused on playing one point at a time, that he forgot the score.
After winning the point (and the U.S. Open) Zverev returned to the line to keep playing - not realizing the match was over and he was champion. (Watch the last point here)
This is interference free performance. And it’s built the more we learn to exist in the present moment.
Championships, Goals, Rankings, “Chasing Success” - it’s all interference at the end of the day.
Some of the best leadership and performance principles I’ve heard lately always seem to come back to small, controllable, action. Things like:
Break it down or get broken down
Control what’s in your control
Focus on the task at hand
Interference often thrives in the area beyond small, controllable, action.
When asked by reporters after the match, Zverev had this to say about his focus,
"I was just in that zone, just playing tennis, just focusing on every single shot. That definitely helped me, just staying in the moment and not thinking about the big picture. In the end, it was a funny and weird moment. In a way, it helped me.”
Just keep stacking days.
One day at a time.
One point at a time.
Stay The Course,
JB
