Building preparation routines like a high performer

It's not every day that you get to attend one of the UK's largest music festivals and watch a globally renowned band perform live from the side of the stage. But this past Saturday night, I had the incredible experience of watching London Grammar at Latitude Festival. If you're not familiar with their stunning music, I highly recommend giving them a listen. London Grammar has sold millions of records worldwide, accumulated billions of streams, been nominated for numerous BRIT Awards, and even won a prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

It was a spectacular performance. Hannah’s vocals are truly beautiful, and the energy that Dot and Dan bring through the drums and guitar, combined with Hannah’s voice, is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. What struck me most was how effortless they made it look. They seemed confident, in control, in flow, and deeply connected to each other, ready to deliver an unforgettable show.

One thing I’ve learned from working in the world of high performance is that top performers excel at creating and following routines that help them achieve outstanding results. Watching London Grammar on stage, it was clear that their success comes from more than just talent; it's the product of dedication, preparation, and a finely tuned process.

This got me thinking a lot about how high performers prepare for events and the routines they have in place to ensure they are ready to perform under the conditions they face. It also made me reflect on the world of work and how we can apply some of this knowledge to ensure we are prepared for key moments within our own calendars.

So, what can we learn from these high performers and apply to ourselves in the workplace?

We know that the best performers have tried and tested routines to prepare themselves mentally, technically, and physically. They use these routines every day to ensure they are ready for important moments. They understand the importance of having a plan to help them perform at their best, and they follow it consistently.

What is a performance routine?

At PlanetK2 , when we talk about performance routines, we mean a set of sequenced thoughts and actions that prepare you to deliver the performance you want. These routines are designed to help you be ready for what’s coming up.

Performance routines are not just about technical or tactical skills. They also encompass mental readiness (attitude, confidence, strengths), physical readiness (energy management, sleep, nutrition), and emotional readiness (strong support networks). These routines are personal and specific to each individual.

Keep practising

They need to be practised regularly to test and refine each part. This is essential if you want it to be effective when the pressure is on. It's not an optional part of preparation; it's a vital part of performance. When used consistently and with discipline, these routines increase your sense of control, confidence, and readiness, leading to better and more consistent performances.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be one of those people who wait until the last minute to plan and prepare for key events. That feels like wilful underperformance. I want to ensure that I am as ready as possible and confident that I can deliver the performance that will help me achieve great results.

If you’d like to help your team be more prepared to perform at work, check out PlanetK2. For more materials on performance routines, sign up for free membership access at The Performance Room.