This is not an easy question to answer and there is no universal, global consensus on who sets the standard for high performance. But they only hand out three medals at the Olympics. Was 4th place not one of the best in the world at their craft? Here at Compete to Create, we emphasize the importance of understanding the concept of high performance for yourself. And then you can recognize how your personal take on it may impact your daily choices.
For starters, is it about being your personal best or being the best in the world? In most rooms where we ask this question–– it’s split. If it’s about being the best, then it might be as easy as thinking “If I’m not the best, then I’m not performing at an optimal level.” And if it’s about being your personal best, then there are a couple more things that you might have to wrestle with.
Is high performance about going fast? Being in the front? Being alone? Is it about striving and grinding nonstop? Is it about doing the lonely work? Does your environment allow you to live in a high performance way? Is it possible in the city? What about in the rural country? Is high performance about listening or leading? Is it about mastering your craft and being the best or is it about living authentically and staying true to yourself?
That list of questions is really meant to make you think about what high-performance means to you. And, like we mentioned, there is really no right or wrong answer. Beginning the work of figuring out your individual definition is a vital first step on this journey. Most of us claim we want an amazing life, following our passion and filled with deep meaning but the path required to actually achieve that can be pretty difficult. There’s no playing it safe in having an extraordinary life––it just doesn’t work that way.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, operating on the edge, is an important part of the process. That’s the place where we really sort out our relationship with high performance, by embracing the unknown. When the stakes are high, do you bet on yourself? That’s the real marker of mastery – when there’s real pressure in your life – do you decide to bet on you? Do you have what it takes to work it out? Are you aware of how to listen to yourself, your inner dialogue, and make informed and supported decisions from there?
These are the questions that people who are really getting after it in life are asking themselves — and are eventually able to answer with confidence. To learn more about high performance and mindset training, check out our online mindset training course Finding Your Best
