I've noticed that too.
When climbing the worst hills, I will look down, right in front of me, and before I know it, I am up and over the hill. If I keep looking at the crest, I never seem to get there.
With headwinds: When I try to fight them, I get nowhere and become frustrated; If I adopt the attitude of just accepting that I can't go as fast or as easily into the wind, and just plan on going slow and steady and enjoying the ride, I hardly seem to lose any speed!
I believe that after physical fitness, psychology is the most important aspect of riding. Both seem to have much more effect on one's riding than do things like equipment and groupset.