Keys to Breakthrough Performance
Do we have any control over our success?
What if I told you that peak performance is a choice? But the clarity you need is only found when you know yourself better than anyone or anything in your life and you know the direction you want to take your life. Have you ever been told, “Relax, just be yourself.â€
Michael Jordan prepared his entire life for basketball. He made basketball look easy. He worked to his strengths. His teammates were better because of his giftedness. However, he failed at baseball. He hit .202 with a AA team. We can’t fault him for trying baseball. In fact, I applaud his effort. It is through trying that Jordan confirmed his true giftedness.
Do what you love and the money will follow? I'm not so sure
Jordan was great at basketball. He loved baseball. Countless people are told, "do what you love and the money will follow." The older I get the more I disagree. Instead, do what you're good at and the money will follow.The ambitious strive to perform at a high level in their careers and relationships. They do this for personal satisfaction and to further their career. There is a way to perform at an even higher level! Clarity in identity, who am I really; and mission; what do I really want to do are the keys to breakthrough performance. Sounds easy but it's not. But, for the committed it's worth it.
Key # 1: Identity
Many will battle to the very end of life with varying levels of success. Some will give up and settle for a mediocre life. After all, if we lower our expectations isn’t life more bearable? Others will reach for the brass ring and catch it. Is it a question of luck?
The solution to knowing who you really are lies in self awareness. This involves taking an inventory of strengths, weaknesses, talents, abilities, core values and passions, etc. It also involves context; knowing how you like to work, where, what you like to do and your definition of success. As important is acceptance of these facts. You will find your greatest satisfaction doing something that is at the intersection of core values (your why) and ability (your what). This also means embracing your weaknesses. We can't be good at everything!
The facts must be internalized. Countless people take personality assessments, strengths testing and document core values only to fail to incorporate the facts into their lives. Many times I'll work with a client to get to their core values and I'll ask them a few later and they have forgotten. This is a mistake for the ambitious.
Key # 2: Mission
Every ambitious person should want to discover their mission and their unique gifting. In my coaching practice we begin with why: core values and passions. These are the things that get you out of bed in the morning and keep you up at night. Your motivation. Next I help people develop a strategic vision for their life. This is picture of the life they want to live. This usually comes easy.
Mission development is two fold. We answer the question, "If I am to achieve my vision, what must I do?" Secondly, I help them with their winning formula. This is their unique gifting and typical actions they take when they are do something right and experience the greatest satisfaction. It is in finding the unconscious competency and bringing it forward that helps determine success.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.†Carl Jung
Elite athletes have long known the benefits of performance coaching. The right coach provides clarity, challenge and care. They drill skills that are necessary for improvement and hold the athlete accountable. Why not make the same investment in yourself?
To achieve Peak Performance you must break the bonds of conformity to other people’s standards and replace them with higher levels of awareness and conscious thought. This requires an internal journey to become the person you were meant to be.
Who are you really? What do you really want?
I can’t stress the importance of identity enough. Understanding identity is the MOST important step but it doesn’t end there. What do you really want? Who were you designed to be? Your true self is dying to emerge. Everything else is simply invented in your mind. Your true identity longs to be embraced and known. Finally, answer the question, what do you really want? This is the essence of Peak Performance Coaching.
Creed is an accomplished leader and Professional Certified Coach motivated by a passionate drive to help individuals and organizations reclaim their clarity for personal achievement and organizational effectiveness.