Sports-psychiatrist author Michael Lardon believes that great athletes “capture the essence of the human spirit and showcase human potential.” His new book, “Finding Your Zone: Ten Core Lessons for Achieving Peak Performance in Sports and Life,” proposes that champions can be studied as examples for the rest of us, whether we seek guidance in sport, business or everyday life. Some tips:

¢ “Confidence is the cornerstone of success in all domains of life, and developing it is much like nurturing a garden.”

¢ Take a moment before going to bed to think about a question or important situation to dream about. This can lead to dreams that unmask hidden obstacles and clarify issues.

¢ The Zone is “a mental state in which your thoughts and actions are occurring in complete synchronicity.” Entering it enables you to perform at your highest level.

¢ The best way to practice a skill is to limit the focus to the task at hand.

¢ Trust your brain. If you have prepared yourself for a task, you can let go of extraneous distractions when it’s time to perform.