The Best Quote I Ever Heard

"You practice like you play."

My dad was a field goal kicker in college - a high-pressure position, where he was often called on to score the winning points. Or bear the frustration and isolation of a missed opportunity.

You know that feeling? The joy of victory, when you are the hero...and its opposite, when you're not.

Related: Peak Performance Strategies

He shared with me the importance of the fundamentals: the idea of practicing excellence, so that - when it's 'your moment' - you don't have to think about anything other than the task at hand. That's the secret to peak performance, on the football field, or in the boardroom: being in the moment. Being focused on the one thing that matters most.

Practice, and a concentration on the fundamentals, can help us to remove the distractions. Ultimately, if you want to "play like a champion", you have to practice like one. That means taking time to discover new ways of looking at the same old problems, and reinforcing the skills that you need when the stakes are high.

If you really want to be at your best, you aren't concentrating on a tip or technique when the stakes are highest. You've internalized those strategies, so they are available to you when you need them. You've practiced for success - now it's time to play.

When it's time to stand and deliver, you realize that job number one is getting in the game. New discoveries are the key to new results. And that means that innovation is not the same as imitation.

By putting your attention on what matters most, you bring the advice to life from inside yourself - and create your best possible outcome. In my book, Leadership Language, I talk about how actual and aspirational leaders can find that focus. It's a practice that leads to new results in the game of business, and the game of life.

The Israeli philosopher, Yuval Hurari, said that "Today, power means knowing what to ignore."

• What is it that you need to ignore, in order to reach your goal?
• Are you practicing distraction, or focusing on the fundamental skills that lead to new results?
• What's the one thing you need to do, right now, to make a difference for yourself and your team? When it comes to your focus, and your practice: is there really anything more than that?

Knowing what to ignore is a never-ending challenge, in the world of likes, swipes, tweets and chats. But practicing what matters most is the way to access this power. Concentrating on valuable tips, and internalizing new guidance, can lead to new discoveries. And, ultimately, to new outcomes for yourself and your team. 

About the Author

Recognized as the US National Elevator Pitch Champion, Chris Westfall is a coach to executives and entrepreneurs on four continents. He is the publisher of seven books, including The NEW Elevator Pitch and BulletProof Branding. He regularly speaks to Fortune 500 companies and top-tier universities on effective communication strategies. Find out more on his website, https://westfallonline.com