The Mindset Of High Performance – Part 1

Some might say I am obsessed with high performance……..what makes a high performance culture? How do you build a high performance team? Continue to grow and get to the next level? What drives the individual contributor?

What separates the ‘best’ from the rest? What makes a champion? What drives an individual to master their craft?

Is it their god given talents? Physical attributes? Intellectual capabilities? Their routine? These play a part no doubt, but I believe the defining factor is their mindset. This is where they set themselves apart from the pack.

I believe we are all born with greatness inside us, but are we willing to realise it? Are we willing to chase after it? Sacrifice for it? Are we willing to have the mindset of a champion?

What defines this? How can you build the mindset of a champion?

1) Identity

It all starts with identity. What is your self image? What do you truly believe of yourself? In yourself? As a person thinks so he/she is!

High performers have a clear identity of who they are and then have goals that reinforce this believe daily. There habits, routines and rituals feed this identity. They are deliberate and clear in what makes them who they are!

This identity helps define all that they do.

2) Personal Growth

The high performer has an insatiable need for personal growth, mastery of their craft. They relentlessly compete, but this competition is with themselves. The high performer never ‘makes it’. They have a white belt mentality – always looking for that next level. Their need for growth has no end, it’s a constant journey day in and day out.

I love this quote from Matthew McConaughey

That’s a high performance mindset!

3) Will To Win

They are driven to win. The will to win can be personal (against themselves) or others. With this comes work ethic and routine. They are up early, they put in the reps. They evaluate their performance, embrace feedback, learn, grow, iterate and find the best way forward.

The will to win drives them to do the work and gives them the will to prepare to win. It’s a subtle difference but it’s one of the things that separates the best from the average.

4) Predict Greatness For Yourself

They have a clear picture of their future. They know what the best version of themselves looks like and this compels them. The dream and vision is clear and this drives their goals and plan for success. They may never reach this plateau (due to the white belt mentality) but they have proclaimed where they are heading, they are not afraid to share this with their confidants and back themselves in to deliver.

That doesn’t mean you can’t be humble, but they proclaim where they are heading as this holds them accountable not just to themselves but to others.

They have a confidence in their talent, work ethic and drive to get them where they need to be.

5) Positive Mindset / Resilience

They have a positive mindset. A growth mindset. They expect to arrive at their destination.  They have confidence and optimism. They feed themselves positivity and when faced with obstacles they seek solutions and see the opportunity in the challenge.

They understand the road to high performance is constantly uphill (Everything worthwhile is uphill – John Maxwell) but they have resilience and understand that they are in control of their choices and ultimately the outcome. They embrace accountability and not excuses!

They take this one step further and use positive visualisation techniques and affirmations that call them to success.

6) Pay The Price / Sacrifice

A champion pays the price. They understand that this means they may lose out on parties, on family time, on Netflix. But that sacrifice fuels their success, that price is what they pay to be the best. Their dedication is to their craft and the outcome.

Anyone can set goals, but not everyone will pay the price to achieve them. The older I get the more I am aware that you cannot have it all – you cannot win or be at 100% across all areas of your life, all the time. There will always be an impact or areas that you will need to sacrifice to be what you want to be.

I’ve sacrificed family time, time with friends, leisure activities but it’s all worth it to attain my dream.

What’s that sacrifice for you?

It’s cliché but with every new level there is a new devil. But if you know that you are prepared and can push through!

7) They Don’t Procrastinate

High performers get the work done whether they want to or not. They may not always be in the mood but they still put in the work.

They have the same little voice in the head as others but they have learnt to block this out, to silence it through discipline, repetition and a laser focused routine.

That doesn’t mean they don’t have off days. They are aware and recalibrate as needed.

8) Results vs Excuses

They don’t believe in excuses. They are driven by results. They take ownership and accept responsibility. They own the result. I’ve never met a high performer who points the fingers at others, their environment or the marketplace.

High performers hold themselves responsible in all conditions. They will look at data points, the team, environment and other factors and make their own adjustments to deliver their desired outcome.

Check back soon for part 2 of The Mindset Of High Performance!

What are your thoughts on the mindset and actions of high performers? Share your thoughts and comments below.

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