KATY, TEXAS PARENTS OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED

Personality and Performance

Robert B. Andrews MA, LMFT, CSCMarch 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)

INTROVERTSIntroverts 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

EXTROVERTSAn 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 peersAdvanced understanding of difficult life situations Because of intelligence they tend to experience life experiences that are not age appropriateCan have advanced cognitive functioning with un-advanced emotional processing

WHERE THE MIND LEADS THE BODY FOLLOWS

Where the mind leads performance follows

CONFIDENCE3 Key components KnowledgeExperiencePositive Feedback

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

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

BALANCEManaging your energy for life

PRESSURE AND PERFORMANCE

Finding Your “Zone”

POTENTIALCAPACITY TO DEVELOP LATENT QUALITIES OR ABILITIES

What are you capable of achieving?

SOURCES OF STRESS & PRESSURE

ParentsCoaches/Teachers Pressure to performStudent/Athlete

STRESS & DISTRACTIONSHow potential is derailed

PERFORMANCE AND BRAIN FUNCTIONING

PERSONALITY AND PERFORMANCEHow Does Pressure/Stress Impact Performance?

COMMANDER “GET IT DONE” TEMPERAMENTHIGH FUNCTIONING

SeriousFocusedDeterminedGoal directedBenevolent leaderTake chargeMotivator

COMMANDER ”GET IT DONE ” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONING ImpatientArgumentativeStubbornControllingLow tolerance for slownessQuickly become frustratedAngry and can become abusive

ORGANIZER “GET IT RIGHT” TEMPERAMENTDetailedStructure OrganizationOrderObservantIdealistic

ORGANIZER “GET IT RIGHT” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONINGCautious, guarded, and skepticalPerfectionisticCan become stuck in inaction because they are afraid they may not get something rightFocus on minute detailsCreate stress for themselves and those around themControlling and manipulativeCan be “on guard” a lot of the time

RELATER “GET ALONG” TEMPERAMENT

Value RelationshipsCaringTeam playersExpressiveSeek out interactionCompassionate

RELATER “GET ALONG” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONINGPassive and reservedAfraid of conflictEasily hurt by criticismDependent on others to set the mood or toneKeep things insideCan be prone to “blow ups” Seek approval from othersCan “walk on eggshells”

ENTERTAINER “GET CONNECTED” TEMPERAMENT

Passionate ColorfulExpressiveDramaticInspirationalMotivators

ENTERTAINER “GET CONNECTED” MID TO NEGATIVE FUNCTIONINGHighly emotionalUp and down moodinessWear emotions on their sleevesConstant talkers Jump from interest to interest without finishing muchRapid and unpredictable changeability

FAILURE

EXCELLENCE VERSUS PERFECTIONISMFROM

DR. THOMAS GREENSPON

Excellence is risk Perfection is Fear Excellence is effort Perfection is anger and

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