The Peak Performance Mindset: Why Focusing on 'What Went Well' Matters
Leila Singh
Leadership & Career Development & Mindset Coach to High-Performing, Mid to Senior-Level Tech Industry Professionals - helping them to secure their next Promotion & Step into Leadership | Keynote & TEDx Speaker
Greetings and welcome to my Newsletter: Leadership in Tech - Your Competitive Advantage! – Here to Support Your Leadership Journey.
I'm thrilled to introduce you to this weekly newsletter, tailored exclusively for high-achieving, ambitious, and driven professionals like yourself - who are actively pursuing leadership positions, aiming for that next promotion, striving for peak performance, and seeking to cultivate an unmistakable personal brand that sets you apart.
In this issue -
?Featured Article: The Peak Performance Mindset: Why Focusing on What Went Well Matters
?mi-brand Hub: "What do you want to be known for?"
?Featured Podcast: Paniz Gorji - On ‘Being the Change’, Hiring a Coach & the Importance of Personal Brand: Knowing who you are and showing up authentically, always!
?Ways to Work With Me
?Further Resources to Support Your Career Growth Journey
The Peak Performance Mindset: Why Focusing on 'What Went Well' Matters
In fast-paced environments, where the pressure to deliver results is relentless, it’s natural to be critical of our own performance: the instinct to focus on what didn’t go well seems almost hardwired into us.
Today, I want to challenge that tendency and explore how focusing on what went well—rather than what didn’t—can drive not just better outcomes, but also greater resilience and long-term success.
This isn’t about blind positivity or ignoring challenges. It’s about reprogramming how our brains process the daily wins and losses in our careers. Neuroscience shows that our brains naturally gravitate toward threats—an ancient survival instinct that no longer serves us in today’s corporate landscape. The challenge is to shift from that default mindset, to train ourselves to notice and celebrate our successes, and, ultimately, to build new neural pathways that lead to peak performance.
Let’s break this down, and I’ll share actionable steps you can take, to start making this mindset shift today.
??The Power of Perspective: Moving from Survival Mode to Growth
For many of us, focusing on what went wrong is almost a reflex. Maybe you’ve had a great week with multiple wins, but there’s one meeting, one project, or one comment that didn’t land as you expected. And that’s what sticks with you, even when everything else has gone brilliantly. This focus on the negative is not just mentally exhausting—it’s counterproductive.
When we focus on the negatives, we reinforce pathways in our brains that keep us stuck in a loop of self-criticism and stress. Over time, this affects not only our mental wellbeing but also our ability to perform at our best. The real work lies in breaking free from this loop and training your brain to notice, acknowledge, and celebrate the positives.
This is deeper than simply “thinking positive.” Positive thinking, on its own, can often feel superficial—especially when we don’t truly believe it. Instead, we need to dig deeper and engage in real, meaningful inner work that allows us to hold up a mirror and identify the subconscious beliefs that hold us back.
??Why Focusing on What Went Well Matters
There are powerful reasons why shifting our focus to what went well can drive peak performance, both personally and professionally.
??It boosts resilience: By regularly focusing on successes, no matter how small, we train ourselves to recover more quickly from setbacks. This resilience is critical in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure tech environments.
??It strengthens your leadership presence: Leaders who model a mindset of growth and positivity create more engaged, productive, and solution-focused teams. Your mindset sets the tone for the culture of those around you.
??It enhances creativity and problem-solving: When you focus on what went well, your brain becomes more solution-focused. Instead of getting bogged down in what didn’t work, you’re able to see opportunities for improvement and growth.
??It promotes long-term success: Success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about consistently building on small wins. When you focus on those wins, you build momentum, which leads to greater long-term success.
??It improves emotional well-being: Recognising the good in your life, even during stressful times, helps you maintain a balanced perspective. This is critical to sustaining energy and enthusiasm, even in high-pressure roles.
??Practical Strategies for Shifting Focus to What Went Well
So, how do you actually reprogram your brain to focus on the positives?
Here are five practical strategies to help you shift your mindset and start seeing results:
1. Start a Gratitude Practice
This is a foundational exercise that many of my clients find transformative. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. These don’t have to be monumental achievements—sometimes, they’re as simple as having a smooth commute to work, or having an energising conversation with a colleague.
The key is consistency. The more you practise gratitude, the more your brain will naturally start to notice the positives in your life and career. Over time, this simple practice rewires your brain to focus on what’s working rather than what’s not.
2. Use the 5:1 Rule
For every one negative thought or setback, challenge yourself to find five things that went well. This could be as simple as recognising that you delivered a great presentation, handled a difficult conversation effectively, or managed your time well.
The 5:1 rule helps balance the natural negativity bias that many of us have. It’s not about ignoring the challenges—it’s about ensuring they don’t overshadow everything else.
3. Celebrate Weekly Wins
Take time at the end of each week to reflect on your wins. What went well? What progress did you make, no matter how small? This regular reflection not only boosts your confidence but also helps you maintain momentum in your career.
Over time, you’ll start to see just how much you’ve achieved, even in the busiest or most challenging weeks.
4. Reframe Setbacks as Learning Opportunities
When things don’t go according to plan, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, start seeing them as valuable learning experiences. This reframe helps you stay focused on growth and improvement, rather than getting stuck in self-criticism.
5. Engage in Mindful Reflection
After key events—whether it’s a meeting, presentation, or conversation—take a few minutes to reflect on what went well before you start evaluating what could be improved. This shift in focus helps reinforce the positives, while still leaving room for constructive feedback.
??The Benefits of Shifting Your Focus
By consistently implementing these strategies, you’ll start to notice several key benefits, both in your career and your personal life:
??Increased productivity: Focusing on what went well makes you more effective and less bogged down by distractions and negativity.
??Stronger emotional resilience: A positive mindset helps you handle setbacks with more grace and stability, allowing you to bounce back faster.
??Enhanced leadership presence: By focusing on what’s working, you’ll create a more positive, engaged environment for those around you.
??Greater overall well-being: Shifting your focus to the positives will improve your mental and emotional health, helping you avoid burnout and maintain energy levels.
??Making the Shift: A Commitment to Growth
The strategies I’ve shared are simple but not necessarily easy. They require consistency, patience, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. But the rewards are immense. By making a conscious effort to focus on what went well, you’ll unlock new levels of resilience, creativity, and leadership in both your career and your personal life.
So, my invitation to you is this: try one or two of these strategies over the next week -
Start small: Reflect on your weekly wins, write down what you’re grateful for, or reframe a recent setback as a learning opportunity.
And as you do, notice the subtle but powerful shifts in how you approach your work and your life.
Because when you train your brain to focus on what went well, you’re not just enhancing your performance—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.
"What do you want to be known for?"
Have you ever stopped to consider what others say about you when they meet you, work with you, or hear your name mentioned? Your personal brand is not just what you think it is—it’s the way people perceive you, the impression you leave behind, and the reputation you build over time.
Take a moment to reflect on this:
Now, consider the gap between others' current perceptions of you and the perception you would like to cultivate. Are there differences? If so, what steps can you take to bridge that gap and shift others' perceptions in the right direction?
Creating a strong personal brand and reputation can have a profound impact on your career and personal success. Whether it’s within your team, among colleagues, or across your wider network, how others see you influences the opportunities that come your way, the relationships you build, and the respect you earn.
What three words would you like people to use when describing you?
And if you are seeking a new role, perhaps your job is at risk, or you are simply feeling stuck in your career, not knowing how to move forward, then I invite you to check out my recent podcast episodes filled with incredible value, sharing strategies and ideas for your career planning and growth journey, whilst taking a pro-active approach!
Link to my podcast -
Life Leadership with Leila Singh? - All things Coaching, Career and Personal Brand https://anchor.fm/leila-singh
Featured Guest Podcast: Paniz Gorji - On ‘Being the Change’, Hiring a Coach & the Importance of Personal Brand: Knowing who you are and showing up authentically, always!
In this episode of the Life Leadership podcast, Paniz shares with us –
How can you work with me?
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Invitation: Want my help with progressing your career to Promotion or into Leadership?
Book a free 30-minute “Career Growth Game Plan” Call with me –
Where we will:
1.Evaluate where you are at now and where you want to be
2.Explore your next steps and career vision
3.Identify the areas for development & Develop a Quick Action Plan
And if you’d like my help to implement the plan, we can talk about that at the end of the call. I look forward to meeting you!
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And here are FURTHER RESOURCES you can access -
-- which introduces you to the six pillars it is critical for you to master when developing your personal brand, essential for your ongoing career success, and includes best practices that you can implement right away, as well as a Brand Assessment to score where you are right now!
- where you can watch over 50+ Podcast Video Interviews with Outstanding Leaders from the Tech Industry who share their career journey, overcoming adversity and challenges, learnings and insights and what is possible when it comes to your career – awe-inspiring!! As well as a library of my weekly LIVES since January 2021, Personal Branding 101 Series, and much much more!
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