Embrace This Key High Performance Habit For Transformational Results

When I was competing in the Hawaiian IronMan World Championships some year ago, I found myself struggling and forgetting to embrace this one critical high performance habit.?

Our self-talk shapes our results

I was unwell several days prior to race day, and not sure if I would even make it to the start line.?However, in my opinion, you don't go all that way and quit! On race day, having made it out of the water, I was low in energy and feeling the enormity of the task at hand. Cycling 180 kilometres and then running a further 42.2 kilometres. It was stinking hot, in the high 30s and the wind was living up to its reputation. The cross winds were so strong I was almost blown off my bike. The doubting voice in my head got louder.?

“I don’t think I can do this. Maybe I should quit, as I am already pretty sick, blah, blah, blah.”?

Of course, this downward spiral thinking slowed me down and lowered my spirits. Then, in a single moment, something shifted inside, and I made a pivotal, almost unconscious decision. One, I believe, which helped me finish this tough race. A key lesson, vital for business and indeed, every area of life. More on this a bit later.

Do you speak kindly to yourself or are you hard or unkind?

One of the most frequent traits I witness in high performers and achievers, is how hard they are on themselves.?

This is not a good recipe for success. You see, every thought releases a chemical into our body that matches the thoughts. We feel these in our body, in varying degrees from great to horrible. If you speak unkindly to yourself, you will feel bad.?Speak kindly and you will feel kinder. Our feelings influence our actions or inaction. One reason we often fall into procrastination.?

Imagine your self talk is like the water that nurtures your plants.

If you use kind and gentle words, your inner garden will flourish. But if you use harsh and nasty words, it's like putting toxic water into your mental garden.

“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.” Earl Nightingale

Research shows the correlation between our self-talk and our health

Furthermore, research on the power of words shows a correlation with our health, as well as performance. Dr. Martin Seligman wrote about one study in his book,?‘Learned Optimism.’?

In this study, new nuns were asked to write a letter describing how they viewed their life in the convent. After 50 years, the researchers reviewed the nun’s letters, comparing each letter with its author’s lifespan.

They found that just about every nun who wrote negatively about the life in the convent had a shorter life span than the nuns who wrote positively. Seligman deduced that the character trait of negativity in a nun’s youth was likely to continue throughout her life, and could also shorten her life. Definitely not a high performance habit!

Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want

So, back to Hawaii. I made a snap decision to change my story. Instead of focusing on how hard it was and how tired I was feeling, I connected with my core driver, which is to never, ever, quit. It was as if the following phrase popped into my head:

?‘The wind is my friend.’?

As I continued to repeat this phrase, my brain released chemicals that matched the words. Soon after, I felt more optimistic, and somehow managed to peddle faster. I repeated this phrase over again until I truly believed the wind was my friend. It was on my side, not fighting to bring me down.

Next, small signs showed up that inspired me to keep going.?As I peddled faster, I felt more optimistic, and the world looked different. I saw more signs in the environment that inspired me even more. As my spirits lifted I felt that I could do it.

When it came to the run,?I created a new mantra:

“Every step’s a step nearer.”

I believe changing my story was a vital key to completing the race.

Be impeccable with your words

Be sure to be impeccable with your words. In the words of Don Miguel Ruiz who wrote?‘The Four Agreements,’?‘

‘Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. The word can set you free, or it can keep you trapped and small.’

In conclusion, speak kindly to yourself. Consider yourself as you would your best friend. Furthermore, focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.?

I know from my experience and coaching thousands of people from all walks of life that this small yet important shift has the power to transform your life.

If you would like access to a simple, yet powerful three-step technique to help clear negative thoughts, please email me and I will send you a copy.

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