by Gilda Bonanno LLC
In the days after the Super Bowl, a story in The New York Times highlighted Jason Myers, the Seattle Seahawks kicker whose performance helped secure the win.
What stood out wasn’t just the result. It was how he prepared.
A fellow alum of Marist University, Myers became the first Red Fox to play in a Super Bowl. No matter where your loyalties were during football season, it was a moment of pride across the Marist community - watching one of our own deliver a performance that was both outstanding and history-making.
The article explained how he relied on a consistent pre-game routine to control his mindset, using the same process he follows every week, even on the Super Bowl stage.
He wasn’t scrambling to find focus. He had already built it.
The Part Most People Overlook
When we think about high performance, we tend to focus on the moment itself - the presentation, the meeting, the pitch.
But elite performers understand something deeper: What happens before the moment shapes what happens during it.
They don’t leave their mindset to chance. They prepare it.
From Noise to Focus
A pre-game ritual creates a deliberate transition, from distraction to clarity, from tension to control.
Two elements make an immediate difference:
- Breathing: Slow, steady breathing signals safety to your body. Even a minute or two can steady your voice and sharpen your focus.
- Visualization: Most people already visualize but in the wrong direction. They imagine what could go wrong. Instead, rehearse success. See yourself delivering clearly, connecting, finishing strong.
Managing the Voice
There’s another layer to this. Right before we speak, most of us aren’t just dealing with nerves - we're often dealing with a negative voice in our heads. A running commentary that questions, second-guesses, and undermines: What if you forget what to say? Who do you think you are?
I call it the “Joy-Sucker” because it sucks the joy out of your work and life.
What stood out in the story about Jason Myers is that he doesn’t let that noise take over. His focus is deliberately simple and assertive, centered on the few thoughts that actually matter in the moment.
That’s not accidental. It’s trained.
A pre-game ritual helps you make the same shift, replacing distraction with something intentional, whether that’s a mantra, a phrase, or a simple point of focus.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
There’s one more element behind this kind of performance. In the article, Myers also works with a performance consultant, someone who helps him refine his process and execute under pressure.
That’s standard in sports. Every elite athlete has a coach.
In business, we often see it differently. But coaching isn’t remedial, it’s how people move from good to excellent. It removes guesswork, sharpens focus, and accelerates performance.
The highest performers don’t go it alone.
The Real Outcome
A pre-game ritual isn’t just about feeling calmer. It’s about showing up at your best when it matters most.
Because when preparation meets presence:
- Clarity improves.
- Confidence steadies.
- Connection deepens.
And that’s what people remember. Not just what you said - but how you showed up.
Further Reading |
My article on building a pre-game ritual https://gildabonanno.blogspot.com/2026/04/from-panic-to-presence-power-of-pre.html
My article on managing the “Joy-Sucker” internal voice
My article on why high performers work with coaches
The New York Times article on Jason Myers: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7041544/2026/02/13/seahawks-jason-myers-super-bowl-routine/ |
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com